Staff celebrated at faculty awards ceremony
The Partnership Awards recognise staff and student successes across teaching, research and innovation, equality and inclusion, and wellbeing.
Outstanding teaching, pioneering research expertise and student excellence were celebrated at a Faculty of Biological Sciences (FBS) awards event last night.
The awards, which are part of the Leeds Partnership Awards, are aimed at celebrating the outstanding contribution of students and staff to university life, teaching and research.
In total, 23 accolades were presented at the special gala event which was attended by over 140 staff and students.
Some of the winners will go on to be judged at the Leeds Partnership Awards on Tuesday 30 April.
“The Faculty of Biological Sciences is a special place,” said Professor Karen Birch, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences. “In every category, we’ve seen how committed our staff and students are to making the University such a supportive and dynamic environment to work and study.
We couldn’t do what we do – driving positive global change and training and inspiring the next generation of scientists – without such committed and talented people. I was humbled to be part of last night’s celebrations.
Inclusive awards
Historically, the awards have looked to celebrate the achievements of staff and students, but since last year, they were realigned to be even more inclusive of all those who contribute to university life.
For the first time, FBS has also introduced some new awards to recognise world-leading Research and Outreach activity.
We have a vibrant, collaborative and supportive research community which is making a huge difference in overcoming global challenges, as well as shaping our world-class teaching.
Professor Macdonald added: “It felt only right to introduce some new categories to shine a light on the people who make our community what it is. The level of dedication, coupled with their bright and bold ideas, shown from all our nominees was truly outstanding.”
The FBS winners are as follows:
Equality and Inclusion Award
Nominees in this category encapsulated the University of Leeds’ and Leeds University Union’s values that everyone, regardless of background, should feel like they belong within our university community.
Winners:
Staff: Tim Goodall
Student: Zhané Murrell-Smith
Feedback and Assessment Award
Nominees in this category have used assessment and feedback to support and facilitate learning. Their approach has enhanced the overall student experience and encouraged students to become reflective learners. They have also created assessment and feedback opportunities for students, which are fair, inclusive and authentic.
Winner: Stephen Muench
Mentorship Award
This award recognises those who have guided, supported, encouraged and nurtured others to develop their skills and prospects for the future, helping them to grow and progress, either personally or in their learning.
Winners:
School of Biology: Suruchi Roychoudhry
School of Molecular and Cellular Biology: Iain Manfield
School of Biomedical Sciences: Jordan Roe
Wellbeing Award
The winner of the Wellbeing Award demonstrates a commitment to wellbeing on campus through their everyday work, or special initiatives.
Winners:
Individual: Eleanor Todd
Group: The Student Support and Engagement Team; Rachel Sherwin, Faye Priestley, Carmin Bhadhuri, Lisa Bilella, Natalie Aspinall, John Barker
Innovation Award
This category recognises innovative methods and approaches to engage and excite others or solve problems in relation to teaching methods, support services, engagement techniques or other initiatives.
Winners:
Group: School of Biomedical Sciences Directors of Student Education and Undergraduate Programme Leads
Individual: Alex Holmes
Global Impact Award
This category celebrates members of our community who work with a global focus. Nominees have actively engaged in the promotion and maintenance of international or intercultural activities, education, or competence.
Winner: Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso
Academic Personal Tutor of the Year
This category recognises an outstanding personal tutor who has shown consistent support and guidance throughout the student experience.
Winners:
School of Biomedical Sciences: Graham Askew
School of Biology: Henry Greathead
Professional Services Staff Member or Team of the Year
New for 2024, this award recognises the contributions to our faculty from any staff member who does not teach.
Winner: Jane Thorn, Student Education Operations Team Leader
Teacher or Supervisor of the Year
This category recognises the individual or group who continually inspire students, using their passion and dedication for a subject area to inspire others to continually develop their thinking and academic skills.
Winners:
School of Biology: Anna Riach
School of Molecular and Cellular Biology: Chris Randall
School of Biomedical Sciences: Clare Tweedy
Student Academic Rep of the Year
Nominees for this category have actively worked in partnership with others to secure positive, student-led change that makes a real difference to students.
Winners:
School of Biology: Sol Bourne
School of Molecular and Cellular Biology: Ellen Slay
School of Biomedical Sciences: Aicha Sandy
Postgraduate Researcher of the Year
This award recognises any registered Leeds postgraduate researcher (PGR) who, while undertaking their own research, makes a significant impact on our learning/research community, or the wider world.
Winner: Zoe Cole
Student of the Year
This award recognises a student, or student group, who has made a significant impact at Leeds during their studies. This could be through academic excellence, their contribution to co-curricular activities, or enhancing the learning experience or sense of belonging for their peers.
Joint winners: Lauren Charlesworth and Megan Roker
From left to right: Lauren Charlesworth, Dan Williams (LUU) and Megan Roker
Student-Staff Partnership of the Year
This award celebrates meaningful changes developed as the outcome of a partnership between students and staff. This could include, but is not limited to, co-created initiatives in student education, work around engaging student communities, or collaborative efforts on wellbeing, equality and diversity.
Winner: Joanna Brown
Contribution to Student Experience Award
This award recognises any person or group, either student or staff, who has made an exceptional improvement to opportunities or experiences for students.
Winners:
Student: Latifakhon Ismoilova
Group: Technicians; Alexandra Lewis, Chris Jones, Janet Tingle, John Wright
Research Group of the Year
This award recognises a research group who has excelled in some significant manner in a number of different areas, for example, a journal publication, impact, innovation, or contribution to securing a major research grant.
Winner: FBS Research and Innovation Office; Melanie Macrae, Victoria Normington, Lewis Millward, Christine Gibson, Helen Hargrave, Andreea Calin, Liam Jackson
From left to right: Helen Hargrave, Christine Gibson, Andrew Macdonald, Victoria Normington, Lewis Millward
Technician of the Year
This award recognises the talent, commitment and innovation of our Technical staff (Individual/team) across all aspects of faculty life.
Winner: Amelia Lesiuk
Outreach Activity
This award recognises projects, teams and individuals that have made outstanding contributions on behalf of the Faculty/ University through engaging with local organisations, community groups, residents and charities.
Winner: Morgan Herod
Early Career Researcher of the Year
This award recognises an outstanding researcher who has excelled in some significant manner in a number of different areas, for example, a journal publication, development of a new technique or contribution to securing a major research grant.
Winners:
School of Molecular and Cellular Biology: Martina Foglizzo
School of Biology: Emily Churchill
School of Biomedical Sciences: Miriam Hurley
Impact
This award recognises outstanding achievement, innovation and creativity in devising and implementing ambitious impact plans that have the potential to create significant economic, social and cultural impact from our research.
Winners:
Group: Alison Dunn and Josie South
Individual: Zoe Cole
Culture
This award recognises an individual or team who have made a positive impact in the improvement of culture (Research or Teaching) within the Faculty.
Winners:
Group: School of Molecular and Cellular Biology Postdoctoral Research Associates; Leon Willis, Alex Snow, Jessica Swanson
Individual: Jennie Hibbard
International Collaboration
This award recognises an individual or team who work with a global focus. It aims to recognise excellence amongst those who have actively engaged in developing new collaborations, research proposals, and outputs/ impact.
Winner: Richard Bayliss
Industrial Partnership
This award recognises a team that has delivered significant impact by working with industrial partners. This could be through academic excellence, developing new collaborations, research proposals, and outputs/ impact.
Winners:
Group: National Pig Centre; Amy Taylor, Udani Wijesiriwardana, Ryan Clarkson, Katie McDermott
Individual: Keith Grehan
Special Recognition Award
This award recognises an individual who has excelled in their career, making a significant contribution to teaching, research or to the Faculty’s work in general.
Winners:
Melanie Macrae
Andy Ford
Image credit: Mike Bickerdike
