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The John C Harsanyi Medal for Innovation
Forward-thinking leadership
This medal recognises forward-thinking leaders and innovators who go above and beyond academic requirements to help shape the future. This medal may be awarded to an individual or a group.
To be eligible for the 2024 Alumni Awards, an individual or at least one member of a group must meet the following selection criteria:
- Nominees must have completed their degree requirements or conferred/graduated in 2023 from the University of Sydney.
- Nominees must have achieved a minimum credit average (65-74 mark range) during their award course at the University (any qualifications with pass/fail criteria excepted).
- Nominees must demonstrate forward-thinking leadership and innovation. This includes, but is not limited to, innovations in technology, design, engineering, business, research, professional pursuits, and sustainability.
2023 winner
Amber Linz
Bachelor of Design Computing '23
Amber Linz is a start-up whiz-kid. While undertaking her Bachelor of Design Computing, she seized every opportunity to get involved in designing innovative solutions for today’s problems, taking part in the University of Sydney Business School’s flagship startup accelerator, Gensis. She won the Student Innovation Award for Planetary Impact, before going on to win SmartCompany’s early-stage startup competition, the Pitch.
Lava, the latest evolution of Amber’s idea, provides brands with a unique way to connect with digital creators and translate video engagement directly into sales. This year, Lava joined US-based startup accelerator, Neo, receiving $625K in pre-seed funding to continue to scale their operation internationally. Having shown remarkable creativity so early in her career, we look forward to seeing global impact of Amber’s future work.
About John C Harsanyi
John Charles Harsanyi (MA ’53 DScEc ’95) was a Hungarian-Australian-American economist who won the 1994 Nobel Memorial Prize in economics (with John Nash and Reinhard Selten). A survivor of the Nazi Holocaust and a refugee from Stalinist Hungary, he emigrated to Australia in 1950 and put himself through postgraduate evening classes at the University of Sydney to graduate with a Master of Arts in 1953.
John is best known for his pioneering and innovative contributions to the study of game theory, decision theory, utilitarian ethics and the philosophy of mathematics, and the practical application of these concepts to economics, sociology, political science, and political and moral philosophy.
