News

“I’m impressed to see we’ve smashed our record for awards submissions yet again. Yet it’s the outstanding quality of the nominations I find so inspiring. The number of submissions is a testament to how much good work is happening. The quality tells a story about how much students and staff care for each other.

Together, we’re building an experience that’s caring and also innovative. We are making how we teach and how students and educators partner with each other a feature of life at Leeds that we’re justifiably proud to recognise in this way.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to every single nominee and especially to our finalists. I look forward to celebrating your success at this year’s awards ceremony and beyond.”

• Professor Jeff Grabill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education

Recognising exceptional Personal Tutors, and dissertation, thesis or final year Project Supervisors who, through their passion and leadership, promote academic engagement, leadership, guidance and a sense of belonging.

• Alex Holmes (Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences)
• Clare Mawson (Social Sciences, Sociology and Social Policy)
• Yasar Awais (Engineering and Physical Sciences, Civil Engineering)

• Alastair Wood (Leeds University Business School, LUBS Faculty)
• Alex Sunderland (Environment, Earth and Environment)
• Louise Walker (Cross Institution, Lifelong Learning Centre)
• Sophie Brown (Engineering and Physical Sciences, Computer Science)

Recognising any person or group, either student or staff, who has made an exceptional improvement to opportunities or experiences for students.

• AHC Employability & Placements Team (Arts, Humanities and Cultures, AHC Faculty)
• Arkar Myo Myat (Milo) (Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences)
• Jemma Stern (Cross Institution, SES)
• Richard Ansell (Engineering and Physical Sciences, Chemistry)
• Siona Parashar (Leeds University Business School, Management and Organisations)

Recognising those who encapsulate the University of Leeds’ and Leeds University Union’s values that everyone, regardless of background, should feel like they belong within our University community. This may be in either their everyday work, or through special initiatives.

• James Greenwood-Reeves (Social Sciences, Law)
• Lydia Shale (Cross Institution, LUU)
• Maria Hussain (Leeds University Business School, Management and Organisations)
• Nick Budden (Environment, Geography)
• Women in Engineering society (Engineering and Physical Sciences, EPS Faculty)

Recognising those who use assessment and feedback to support and facilitate learning. Their approach will enhance the overall student experience and encourage students to become reflective learners. They will create assessment and feedback opportunities for students which are fair, inclusive and authentic.

• Adam Baker (Social Sciences, Law)
• Jennie Robinson (Leeds University Business School, Management and Organisations)

Recognising members of our community who work with a global focus. Nominations will recognise individuals, groups or initiatives which have actively engaged in the promotion and maintenance of international or intercultural activities, education, or competence.

• FBS Global Community (Biological Sciences, FBS Faculty)
• Gryphons Abroad 2024 (Cross Institution, LUU)

Recognising those whose innovative methods and approaches engage and excite others, or solve problems. This could be in relation to teaching methods, support services, engagement techniques or other initiatives.

• Freddie Bujko (Leeds University Business School, LUBS Faculty)
• GEOG2022 Multimedia Team (Environment, Geography)
• VR Newsday Experience Team (Arts, Humanities and Cultures, Media and Communications)

Recognising 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.

• Andrew Hallam (Engineering and Physical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy)
• Sarah Astill (Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences)
• The Head of School Team – Karen Throsby; Mark Davis and Hannah Morgan (Social Sciences, Sociology and Social Policy)

Recognising 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.

• Elizabeth Bourgeois (Social Sciences, Law)
• Erin Raif (Environment, Earth and Environment)
• Jelizaveta Pavljuk (Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences)

Recognising the contributions to our University from any staff members who do not teach, who demonstrate a commitment to supporting students, and/or bettering the University community.

• FSN Admin Team (Environment, Food Science and Nutrition)
• Lucy Thacker (Engineering and Physical Sciences, EPS Faculty)

Recognising those have actively worked in partnership with others to secure positive, student-led change that makes a real difference to students.

• Adrianna Montgomery (Medicine and Health, Healthcare)
• Annika Nair (Environment, ENV Faculty)
• Navin Jacob Thomas (Leeds University Business School, Accounting and Finance)

Recognising a student, or student group, who have 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.

• Muhirez Nawaf (Engineering and Physical Sciences, Mechanical Engineering)
• Nicola Omar Ali (Arts, Humanities and Cultures, History)
• Women in Leadership Society (Cross Institution, LUU)

Recognising 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.

• School of Healthcare Student and Staff Partnership Forum (Medicine and Health, Healthcare)
• SSP Community and Partnership Group (Social Sciences, Sociology and Social Policy)
• The Plus Programme – Student Involvement Project (Cross Institution, SES)

Recognising 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.

• Mohsen Besharat (Engineering and Physical Sciences, Civil Engineering)
• Stephen Muench (Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences)
• Winnie Bedigen (Social Sciences, Politics and International Studies)

Recognising those who demonstrate a commitment to wellbeing on campus through their everyday work, or special initiatives.

• Amy Merchant & Becky Williams-White (Cross Institution, LUUxUoL)
• FSN Wellbeing Team (Environment, Food Science and Nutrition)
• Lauren Royall (Arts, Humanities and Cultures, Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies)

“I am so proud to see the breadth and depth of nominations received for the Partnership Awards this year – each one so detailed and meaningful yet only displaying a fragment of the exceptional work that is done across the University of Leeds and all our services.

Reading through the nominations continues to remind and inspire me why Leeds is such a special place to learn, work and grow – a community rooted in collaboration, care and genuine drive to make a difference.

Every nomination tells a story, and every story shows how individuals coming together can make a lasting difference. These awards go beyond just recognising our finalists but attribute their success to every person who has been a part of it.”

• Shivani Gug, Education Officer