David Bright, a doctoral student in the School of Psychology at UNSW, has been awarded the APS College of Forensic Psychologists' 2007 Maconochie Prize. The Maconochie Prize is a national prize awarded for an outstanding publication in a refereed journal of student's thesis. The prize, from the APS College of Forensic Psychologists, is to encourage and reward outstanding forensic psychology research by students.

The prize is named after Alexander Maconochie, the Governor of Norfolk Island Penal Colony in the 1840s. Alexander Maconochie was renowned for his progressive and enlightened approach to corrections and considered the father of parole.

The award is open to students who have published an article as first author from their Honours, Masters, DPsych or PhD thesis either during their degree or within a five year period of the confirmation of their degree. A panel of expert academic judges evaluates each entry, and the highest ranked publication is awarded the Maconochie Prize.

The article submitted by David was "Gruesome Evidence and Emotion: Anger, Blame and Jury Decision Making" published in 'Law and Human Behavior' in 2006 (special issue on emotion and the law). David’s supervisor, and co-author of the article, is A/Prof Jane Goodman-Delahunty.

An abstract of the publications will appear in the 'Forensic Forum', the publication of the APS College of Forensic Psychologists. You can download a full text version from the UNSW Library (Proquest) or SpringerLink.

Congratulations to David Bright, and his supervisor Jane Goodman-Delahunty!