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The John C Harsanyi Medal for Innovation
Forward-thinking leadership
This medal recognises forward-thinking leaders and innovators who go above and beyond academic requirements to help shape the future. This medal may be awarded to an individual or a group.
To be eligible for the 2025 Alumni Awards, an individual or at least one member of a group must meet the following selection criteria:
- Nominees must have completed their degree requirements or conferred/graduated in 2024 from the University of Sydney.
- Nominees must have achieved a minimum credit average (65-74 mark range) during their award course at the University (any qualifications with pass/fail criteria excepted).
- Nominees must demonstrate forward-thinking leadership and innovation. This includes, but is not limited to, innovations in technology, design, engineering, business, research, professional pursuits, and sustainability.
2024 winner
Dr Grant Lynch
Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise & Sport Science) (Honours) '17, Doctor of Philosophy (Health Sciences) '23
Dr. Grant Lynch serves as the Commercialisation and Industry Engagement Theme Lead at the Heat and Health Research Centre (HHRC) within the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine and Health. His work focuses on advancing heat and health policy, as well as climate change and health research. His current projects aim to quantify human heat adaptation and identify effective cooling interventions to shape public policy on extreme heat.
Grant is leading the centre’s first commercial venture, EMU Systems, which helps companies monitor and manage heat stress risks for athletes and workers. His efforts have earned him numerous accolades, including the PERIscope Commercialisation Award and the Stanford Australia Foundation Award, which he won for outstanding innovation potential as part of the CSIRO ON Accelerate program. This award will enable him to complete an executive business course at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He also received the People’s Choice Award at the Sydney NanoPitch STEM event for his innovative contributions.
Take more calculated risks and trust your instincts. Some of your greatest successes will come from stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing uncertainty. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, they're invaluable and surround yourself with passionate, talented individuals.
My fondest memory of my time at the University of Sydney would be some of my early brainstorming and piloting sessions with our amazing research team. I have always enjoyed problem-solving and getting to share my first experiences at answering research questions with the smart, ambitious people is something that I will always look back on fondly.
My next big career aspiration is to lead EMU Systems into becoming a global leader in heat stress management solutions. I envision our technology transforming how industries manage heat stress and setting new standards for safety and efficiency in the workplace. Beyond that, I want to advocate for more comprehensive policies and standards around workplace safety in extreme conditions and inspire future leaders to prioritise innovation and social responsibility in their endeavours.
Some of your greatest successes will come from stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing uncertainty.
Dr Grant Lynch
About John C Harsanyi
John Charles Harsanyi (MA ’53 DScEc ’95) was a Hungarian-Australian-American economist who won the 1994 Nobel Memorial Prize in economics (with John Nash and Reinhard Selten). A survivor of the Nazi Holocaust and a refugee from Stalinist Hungary, he emigrated to Australia in 1950 and put himself through postgraduate evening classes at the University of Sydney to graduate with a Master of Arts in 1953.
John is best known for his pioneering and innovative contributions to the study of game theory, decision theory, utilitarian ethics and the philosophy of mathematics, and the practical application of these concepts to economics, sociology, political science, and political and moral philosophy.