Mauritius – Associate Professor Helen Forbes-Mewett has been honored with the Northstar Medal of Lifetime Achievement at the 2022 STAR Global Conference held in Mauritius. This distinguished award, part of the A. Noam Chomsky Global Connections Awards administered by the STAR Scholars Network, recognizes individuals who have made a significant global impact.
“Dr. Forbes-Mewett’s dedication to improving the circumstances of international students worldwide is exemplary,” stated Uttam Gaulee, President of the STAR Scholars Network. “Her research and advocacy have brought about critical changes in policies and practices, benefiting countless students.”
Associate Professor Helen Forbes-Mewett’s contributions to transnational research are highly regarded both nationally and internationally. For two decades, she has tirelessly worked to enhance the experiences of international students across several nations, including Australia, the US, UK, and China. Driven by a strong belief in equal education opportunities, she has focused on diverse populations, cultures, and socio-economic statuses.
Dr. Forbes-Mewett serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sociology, Research Lead of ‘Identity and Belonging’ at the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre, and Research Associate at the West Virginia University Research Centre on Violence, US. She is also one of the first non-European members of the International Migration, Integration, and Social Engagement (IMISCOE) network. An international leader in the areas of international student safety, security, mental health, and well-being, her research aims to foster social and policy debate and change.
In 2020, her article in Open Democracy garnered 28,000 views in a week, highlighting the impact of her work. She was awarded Senior Fellow of the International Education Association of Australia in 2019, and her research informs policy and practice in both industry and government sectors. With over 100 publications, including journal articles, book chapters, and four books on international students, her work is widely recognized. Her book, *International Student Security* (Cambridge, 2010), remains the most highly cited publication on international students, with 440 citations.
Dr. Forbes-Mewett’s transnational approach extends to her supervision of 20 international PhD students from 15 different countries. In 2015, she received the Monash Postgraduate Association Award for Supervisor of the Year. She has successfully mentored 11 graduates, with nine currently under her guidance. She introduced the topic of International Students in Australia into the curriculum at Monash University, significantly increasing international student participation in her classes.
Her strong industry links and external engagements are evidenced by her appointments to various advisory councils, including a second term on the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Regional Advisory Council in 2019. She frequently delivers keynotes and presentations, with her most recent address on international student mental health at the Australian International Education Conference in October 2021.
The STAR Scholars Network is proud to acknowledge Associate Professor Helen Forbes-Mewett’s outstanding contributions to higher education and international student welfare with the Lifetime Achievement Medal.
About STAR Scholars Network
The STAR Scholars Network is an international association committed to advancing global social mobility through innovative research and progressive policies in education. Through its A. Noam Chomsky Global Connections Awards, the network celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the global academic community.