Professor Barbara Gillam has been awarded the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award for 2010 by the Australian Psychological Society. The APS describes the award as recognising distinguished theoretical or empirical contributions to psychology by psychologists at mid or later career stages. "Candidates should be currently engaged (directly or indirectly) in innovative research in any field of psychology, which represents a major influence on the direction of research in the scientist's area".

Professor Gillam has conducted research and developed theory in many areas of visual perception ranging from geometric illusions and change blindness to stereoscopic depth perception. Most recently she has become interested in the representation of occlusion in early Renaissance art and Australian aboriginal art.

The recipient of the award is invited to receive a plaque and present a Keynote Address on her research at the next Annual General Meeting of the Australian Psychological Society (to be held in Canberra in October 2011). The address will also be published in the Australian Journal of Psychology.