Each year ABC Radio National hosts three media residencies academics in Science, Humanities and the Arts. Now in its twelfth year, the ABC TOP 5 project aims to enable early career PhD academics to become the best communicators of their specialist research areas and help them to better communicate their work to non-academic audiences across Australia.
“It’s increasingly important that the ABC remains a trusted source that all Australians can turn to.” says ABC Chair Kim Williams. “This is why the ABC TOP 5 is important, as it enhances both ABC Radio National’s ability to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to our audience, while also developing the communication skills of these exciting early career researchers.”
The five successful applicants from each of the three fields will be in residence at the ABC offices for two-weeks of media training and practical experience. They will be working alongside some of Australia’s best journalists and broadcasters, to get a better understanding of how best to communicate their vital research with the world.
Dina Rosendorff is the Manager of ABC Radio National. “Behind every breakthrough idea is a researcher who needs to be heard. The ABC Top 5 program opens Radio National’s doors to some of Australia’s brightest emerging minds, giving them the tools to share their work with the world, and giving our audience something genuinely new to think about.”
The three TOP 5 residencies will be presented at the ABC during July, August and September.
THE 2026 ABC TOP 5 ARE:
HUMANITIES
- Dr Olga Bolchak: Senior Lecturer in Digital Cultures, The University of Sydney.
A media sociologist who explores how communities can build resilience when digital technologies are weaponised. - Dr Rohann Irving: Research Fellow in Young Men’s Digital Health, Flinders University, South Australia.
Research investigates sports betting’s increasing normalisation in young men’s domestic spaces and intimate relationships. - Dr Julia Brown: Senior Research Fellow, Reproduction in Society Group, Monash Bioethics Centre, Monash University, Victoria.
Research explores the lived experiences, ethical challenges and societal implications of emerging reproductive technologies. - Dr Jordan McSwiney: Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Deliberative Democracy, University of Canberra, ACT.
Research examines Australian politics, with a focus on far-right political parties and movements. - Dr Lorenn Ruster: Researcher, School of Cybernetics and Independent Advisor, Australian National University, ACT.
Researches and develops responsible AI practices in & with organisations, centring human dignity.
SCIENCE
- Dr Ana Gracanin: Research fellow – Australian National University, ACT
Research forests, biodiversity & conservation – specialising in all things tree-dwelling. - Dr Green, Jessica: Consultant Psychiatrist & Senior Research Fellow, Food & Mood Centre, IMPACT, Deakin University, Victoria.
Explores the gut-brain connection in mental health, from “poo transplants” for depression to lifestyle psychiatry approaches that bring diet, and physical health into mental health care. - Dr Kathryn Ross: Support Scientist at the Australian SKA Regional Centre (AusSRC) at Curtin University, Westen Australia.
Research into baby black holes and twinkling galaxies, to study galaxy evolution across entire radio rainbow utilising radio telescopes across Australia. - Dr Matt Davidson: Lecturer and ARC DECRA fellow, Discipline of Psychology, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney.
Studies consciousness, and how the brain, the body, & movement co-determine what we perceive. - Dr Tyler Rohr: Lecturer in Biogeochemical Modelling – University of Tasmania, Tasmania. : Investigates if emerging marine CO2 removal technologies could sequester atmosphere emissions, without harming marine ecosystems.
ARTS
- Dr Nicholas Duddy: Forrest Postdoctoral Fellow in English and Literary Studies, University of WA.
Research explores how theatre has offered a cultural space for dialogue around the complex issue of suicide. - Bethany Kiss: Designer/PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne, Victoria.
Brings together architecture and ecology to reimagine our homes as places of coexistence and enchantment with wildlife. - Caitlin Langford: PhD Candidate, School of Art, RMIT University, Victoria.
Research examines photobooths in urban culture, with a focus of their role in the production of official identity documents, souvenirs, and artworks. - Charlotte Markowitsch: PhD Candidate: School of Media and Communication, RMIT University, Victoria.
Explores how Australian audiences learn to love & judge rock music, & what those beliefs reveal about taste, identity, & cultural value.” - Shakiba Barghi: PhD Candidate: School of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne, Victoria.
Research examines how literary culture is evolving in digital spaces through visual, social, and creative reading practices.
The ABC TOP 5 is presented at no costs to the participants thanks to the crucial support our project partners:
- Creative Australia – Lara Wolski is the Executive Director Development & Strategic Partnerships at Creative Australia, which supports the ABC TOP 5 Arts. “Creative Australia is proud to support the ABC TOP 5 program, which helps researchers and creative practitioners connect their work with audiences in meaningful and accessible ways. This program gives participants the skills and confidence to communicate their work with clarity, creativity and impact, helping important ideas reach broader audiences across Australia.”
- University of Melbourne – Also essential for the ABC TOP 5 Arts is the support of the University of Melbourne. Professor Marie Sierra is the Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music. “It’s fantastic to see this year’s TOP 5 cohort—congratulations to all of those selected from such a diverse and talented group of artist-researchers across Australia. The Residency continues to provide a strong platform for developing the communication skills that extend the reach and impact of creative arts research. We look forward to seeing the new audiences, discoveries, and innovations that emerge through your time in the program.”
- University of Sydney – Professor Mike Ryan is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research at the University of Sydney, which supports the ABC TOP 5 Humanities: “Sharing our research with clarity and conviction is more important than ever, across all our disciplines. We are proud to partner with the ABC TOP 5 program, which is a wonderful opportunity for early-career researchers to champion their own research while demonstrating the contribution of universities to public understanding. It equips them to demonstrate the importance of critical thinking and deep expertise, including the essential role the Humanities play.”
- Australian National University: The ANU supports the ABC TOP 5 Science, and Professor Sujatha Raman is the Director, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science: “Engaging wider audiences beyond academia is a critical part of how researchers serve the public good. The ABC TOP 5 is unique in offering a pathway for early career researchers from the arts, humanities and sciences to hone the skills and the nous that’s needed to bring their expertise to bear on public discourse. Many congratulations to this year’s cohort and well done to the other applicants who may have missed out, but who demonstrated the nation’s breadth and depth of research talent”.
For more information head to: TOP 5 – ABC Media Residency Program, 2026 –