Google Academic Research Award Recipients

Congratulations to Professor Nikki Rickard from the Centre for Wellbeing Science and Dr. Simon D’Alfonso from the Computing and Information Systems department at the University of Melbourne for being awarded the prestigious Google Academic Research Award. Their innovative project, titled “Connecting the Disconnected: An AI-driven Mentor to Empower Youth to Engage in Social Prescribing,” seeks to create a virtual mentor that can guide young individuals toward social prescribing—an approach that connects them with community resources and activities designed to enhance their wellbeing.

This recognition not only highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between mental health and technology but also underscores the potential impact of AI in fostering meaningful social connections among young people.