Dr Amit Sarwal, academic, author, journalist and co-founder of The Australia Today, has been named a finalist in the Media category of the prestigious 2026 Asian-Australian Leadership Awards second year in a row, recognising his contribution to journalism, scholarship and cross-cultural engagement.
Organised by Asialink in partnership with Johnson Partners, the Asian-Australian Leadership Awards celebrate the achievements and leadership of Australians of Asian heritage across a range of fields, including media, education, business, science, medicine, arts and community advocacy. The 2026 Media category finalists also include WIN News weather presenter and journalist Bo Jeong, Heidi H. of Launch Story and Play School presenter and writer Leah Vandenberg. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Sydney on 12 November.
Dr Sarwal’s recognition reflects a career spanning academia, journalism, research, writing and publishing, with a particular focus on Australia–Asia relations, migration, cultural identity and the experiences of diaspora communities. An accomplished scholar and author, he has published several books, including Labels and Locations, South Asian Diaspora Narratives, The Dancing God and The Celestial Dancers. His work has explored the intersections of culture, migration, gender, performance and identity, contributing to a deeper understanding of the connections between Australia and South Asia.
He has also co-edited several significant publications on Australian studies and international relations, including Bridging Imaginations: South Asian Diaspora in Australia and Enriched Relations: Public Diplomacy in Australia-Indian Relations. His more recent literary and translation work includes I Will Take You to the Colony of the Chamars and Other Poems, bringing the socially conscious poetry of legendary Hindi poet Adam Gondvi to English-speaking readers. Through his academic and publishing work, Dr Sarwal has consistently championed cross-cultural understanding and given wider visibility to voices and narratives that often remain underrepresented.
As co-founder of The Australia Today, Dr Sarwal has also played an important role in building an independent digital multicultural media platform that has become an influential voice in Australia’s media landscape. Established in 2021, the publication has grown its readership and reach through coverage of Australian public affairs, multicultural communities, international developments and Australia–Asia relations. Its editorial approach, commitment to independent journalism and focus on stories that connect communities have helped establish its distinctive place in the Australian media ecosystem.
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