And the winner is...
The 12th annual Vice-Chancellor’s Awards dinner took place on Monday 4 December, recognising the exceptional contribution that our academic staff, PGR students and colleagues from professional services, research and teaching make to our University. The winners were announced at a glittering ceremony that took place at the University Hall and was also streamed online.
Colleague of the Year
The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Colleague of the Year recognises an individual member of staff who has markedly and consistently enhanced the working environment of other staff in the University, and exemplified our core values: Inclusion, Inspiration, Innovation and Integrity.
This year's nominees were Ruth Gill, Sarah-Jane Maze and Amy Scott.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Ruth Gill, Director of Faculty Operations, FASS
Widely recognised as being at the heart of the faculty, Ruth is a constant source of advice, information and collegiality who strives to enhance the working environment for all. Described as highly efficient and the epitome of a good colleague, she lives the University values on a day-to-day basis and always goes out of her way to put people at the heart of everything.
Her can-do spirit constantly shines through, none more so than during Clearing where she liaises with Heads of School regularly, efficiently, and collaboratively. These traits proved indispensable this year while helping staff return to post in China after the COVID-19 pandemic and while organising a popular panel event involving all of the female leaders in FASS for International Women’s Day 2023.
Leadership
The Vice-Chancellor's Award for Leadership recognises an individual member of staff who has exhibited strong and effective leadership (or potential) by undertaking activities either formally through their role or simply by taking responsibility when leadership was required to achieve a particular goal.
This year's nominees were: Ambrose Neville, Ali Orr and Professor Tazeeb Rajwani.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Professor Tazeeb Rajwani, Professor of International Business and Strategy, Surrey Business School
With a leadership style consistently described as ‘transformational’, Tazeeb has expanded his team to 23 dedicated academics, brought NSS scores up to above 85% for one of the largest programmes in Surrey, and delivered strong 4* REF papers in the previous round by supporting staff in developing their papers.
Tazeeb’s ability to foster a strong and supportive culture within his department has spurred success in others; he encourages staff to develop strong research and teaching profiles, which has resulted in many staff getting published in world leading journals, serving as editors or on world leading editorial boards and engaging externally on global platforms that have raised their profiles and that of the University.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Vice-Chancellor's Award for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion recognises an individual member of staff who has substantially contributed to the development and/or celebration of our diverse and inclusive culture by, for example, acting as a positive role model who consistently champions equality, diversity and inclusion, or developing events and activities with demonstrated outcomes.
This year’s nominees were: Katrina Mack, Dr Noelia Noel and Namy Yu.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Dr Noelia Noel, Senior Lecturer in Physics, School of Maths and Physics
Noelia has led from the front in relation to EDI, particularly in the area of biases amongst students linked to their attitudes towards staff related to their protected characteristics.
An integral part of the Physics and Maths EDI committee, she consistently supports inclusive programmes such as the Institute of Physics diversity scholarship, the Daphne Jackson Fellowship, Breaking Barriers, and Surrey Black Scholars. She has supervised dozens of students with neurodiversities, involving her own PGRs in the process, to nurture future inclusive leaders.
Noelia led the first University-wide Research Culture Week addressing mental health, attainment gaps, and career development and in 2022 established the Surrey Physics Academy, with the goal of promoting and attracting underrepresented / disadvantaged / minority groups to study at Surrey.
Wellbeing, Health and Safety
The Vice-Chancellor's Award for Wellbeing, Health and Safety is awarded to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to improving the health and safety performance of either their section or a major part of the campus, whilst still managing their own workload; or who has demonstrated their support to the health and wellbeing of colleagues and students particularly during the pandemic. In doing so, the individual’s efforts are over and above normal core duties and has had a direct impact on enhancing the safety of working environment of students and/or staff or visitors to the University of Surrey campus, or the health and wellbeing of staff and/or students.
Mig Burgess-Walsh, Senior Lecturer at GSA, proudly uses her own experiences to positively inform her advocacy around mental health with students and in the theatre industry.
In 2022, she became a qualified mental health first aid instructor with Mental Health First Aid England, and she now teaches the two-day adult mental health first aid course and the champion course at the University and within the theatre industry. This experience directly feeds her teaching of GSA students and her work as a Personal Tutor.
In 2019 Mig created Blackout, an immersive installation showing what it is like to have bipolar disorder, and she is now applying for funding to produce a VR version for use in further teaching. Among her other achievements, she has authored two industry guidance notes on mental health and wellbeing, and was Creative Award winner 2022 with Industry Minds, the National UK Mental Health Charity for the Arts.
Public and Community Engagement
The Vice-Chancellor's Award for Public and Community Engagement is new for 2023!
Awarded to an individual member of staff who has led or participated in the delivery of public engagement activities over the past year that have demonstrably enhanced the reputation and impact of the University. This may be through activities that successfully involve members of the public in research and/or communicate the benefits and impact of our research to non-academic audiences. It may also be through stakeholder or policy engagement activities that help make a positive difference to society at the local, regional, national or international level. This award is open to any member of staff whose efforts have been over and above their normal core duties, and for whom public engagement is not their main role.
This year’s nominees were: Michelle Collins, Nathalie Hinds and Iain Main.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Iain Main, Sports and Landscape Manager, EFCS
After 38 years’ service at the University, Iain continues to make a striking all-round contribution.
In the year since he took responsibility for both campuses, Iain has overseen improvements in the presentation of the grounds and the sports pitches and contributed to the University’s success in several prestigious awards. These include a Green Flag Award, marking green spaces of significance.
Iain is committed to enhancing the student experience and has organised library wellbeing events, spoken at lectures and supported the student Garden Society, as well as provided volunteering opportunities to a wide range of staff and students.
A passionate advocate of biodiversity, Iain has also supported the University’s submission to the THE Impact Rankings by promoting social sustainability.
Innovator of the Year
The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Innovator of the Year is presented to an individual who has developed an outstanding innovative product, technology, process or service that clearly demonstrates an economic, social or environmental benefit to society.
This year’s nominees were: Dr Alison Callwood, Professor Xavier Font and Dr Zoe Harris.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Dr Alison Callwood, Senior Lecturer in Integrated Care (Midwifery), School of Health Sciences, FHMS
Alison’s innovation journey has led her to become an internationally recognised Structured Interview Specialist. Her work has created a University identity that reaches far beyond the healthcare sector where it all began.
Alison’s research into building fairness into online interviews culminated in the development and commercialisation of an asynchronous interview platform called SAMMI®. She has been awarded multiple Innovate UK grants including the prestigious Innovate UK Women in Innovation award in 2023.
She successfully works across professional spheres with two multinational industry partners. Her work was recognised by the Royal College of Midwives in 2023 when she was awarded a Fellowship. Alison and her team are finalists in the Times Higher Education Awards for Digital Technology Innovation of the Year 2023.
Alison is an inspirational role model for how to develop impact from research. She has over 20 publications, succeeded in revenue generation and investment and brought the University of Surrey to the heart of policy.
Researcher of the Year
The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Researcher of the Year recognises staff that have spent ten years or less as an independent researcher and whose recent research has successfully challenged dogma, created a new field of research, elucidated a new paradigm, made a fundamental change in thinking or had a significant impact on society.
This year’s nominees were: Dr Lirong Liu, Dr Joanna Moss and Professor Erich Round.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Dr Lirong Liu, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Environment and Sustainability
Lirong’s research integrates systematic modelling at multiple scales to address conflicting environmental, social and economic objectives in scientific issues to support sustainability, with a focus on climate change mitigation.
As an Early-Career Researcher just promoted to Senior Lecturer this year, Lirong has an impressive funding record-- as Surrey Principal Investigator for the UKRI Energy Demand Research Centre and the Horizon Europe project on ‘Wellbeing, inclusion, sustainability and the economy’.
Lirong created the ‘Energy Modelling for All’ project improving EDI in the energy research community and opening doors for women in energy modelling through training, collaboration and long-term mentorship.
She has been invited to join the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit and inform the media debate running up to, and at, COP28.
Research Supervisor of the Year
The Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Supervisor of the Year recognises an individual who has created the most supportive, stimulating and inspirational research environment for their students during their time at the University.
This year’s nominees were: Dr Anesa Hosein, Dr Lisiane Meira, Dr Tan Sui and Professor Diane Watt.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Dr Anesa Hosein, Head of Educational Development & Research, Surrey Institute of Education
One of the joys of Anesa’s academic life is working with and supervising her doctoral candidates, in particular, creating a doctoral community that shares her love of culture, food, and higher education research. As the founding PGR director of the PhD in Higher Education at the Surrey Institute of Education (SIoE), she drew on her Trinidadian background to create a weekly online social meeting space, called Limes, to enable a sense of belonging and to keep a pulse on the PGR community.
Using the Limes as a springboard, Anesa has supported PGRs development in sharing cutting-edge new research, research methods and academic skills as well as creating spaces for sharing culture and food, through bring and share lunches. PGRs have remarked that the Limes have been a lifeline for their mental health and wellbeing and own personal and academic growth.
Collaborative Teaching Award
The Collaborative Teaching Award recognises teams who are involved in teaching and/or supporting learning, and who contribute to the enhancement of student outcomes and the teaching profession. The Award is not only open to those in Faculty-based teaching roles, but to any teams within the University that contribute to the enhancement of teaching and learning.
The Hackathon team is a cross-university collaboration involving staff from all academic faculties, Student Enterprise, Library and Learning, and CES PGRs. Collaborating year-round, they deliver a multi-disciplinary student entrepreneurship hackathon where teams address the UN Sustainable Development Goals, working with global industries and local businesses. Over three years, the team has expanded, evolving into a credit-bearing Global Graduate Award in Entrepreneurship. Their commitment to innovation and student success is evident in strong relationships, interdepartmental links, and genuine friendships, fostering a supportive culture.
Noteworthy achievements include impactful international conference presentations and research outputs. The team led a successful hackathon in the UK-Singapore Alliance, significantly contributed to Surrey Institute's AI hackathon, and organized a social leadership project in India as the coveted main prize. These accomplishments underscore their dedication to fostering entrepreneurship and impactful collaborations.
Back row (L-R): Nat Bingham, Katalin Hanniker, Robert Walsha, Kat Mack, Nick Edwards, Kikki Bodman-Smith; Front row: (L-R) Nayiri Keshishi, Obafemi Okusipe, Shelini Surendran, Ben Greg Not pictured: Damon Hart-Davis, Andy Adcroft
Teacher of the Year
The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teacher of the Year recognises and rewards staff who have been teaching at the University of Surrey for three or more years and have made a significant contribution to enhancing students’ learning experience and the quality of their learning.
This year's nominees are: Professor Ioana Boureanu, Dr Venetia Evergeti and Dr Andrew Hulton.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Dr Venetia Evergeti, Associate Professor and Director of Learning and Teaching, FASS
Venetia is consistently achieving excellence in student learning experience, through her innovative teaching and student-staff partnership projects. Students and colleagues commend her for her highly interactive style of teaching and her collaborative approach that inspires and guides others.
She recently established the Sociology Graduate Teaching Assistants Academy, a developmental programme that draws on current research on the importance of subject-specific training of GTAs. This pioneering initiative provides exceptional guidance for GTAs, developing their teaching skills, whilst also ensuring that UG students get a superb learning experience in their seminars.
Venetia regularly obtains funding from the Teaching Innovation Fund and uses this to make outstanding improvements to the student experience and raise the University’s profile through publications and presentations in international conferences.
Early-Career Teacher
of the Year
The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Early-Career Teacher of the Year recognises and rewards staff who are within their first three years of teaching and have made a significant contribution to enhancing students’ learning experience, and quality of learning.
This year's nominees were: Dr Christopher Basu, Dr Danielle Dove and Dr Kelly Kousi.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Dr Kelly Kousi, Lecturer of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, FEPS
Kelly leads a group focused on Materials for Sustainability and is also responsible for all Labs in Chemical Engineering. She particularly focuses her teaching methods on enhancing the teaching experience and making teaching inclusive.
She has secured funding to upgrade teaching equipment, works on including VR and social media in the curriculum and has received a grant to help address the barriers mature Postgraduate students face in the Chemical Sciences. Due to the reach of this initiative, she was invited to speak at the Royal Society of Chemistry's Inclusion and Diversity Forum.
Kelly has worked with the Museums of Northumberland in the ‘Our Past, Your Future’ campaign to inspire young students to follow careers in STEM, has been acknowledged in the WE50 awards for her work on Inclusion and Equity in Engineering, is a Chief Editor of the NGO Greek Women in STEM and has received an award from the RSC for Innovative Teaching.
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Early-Career Teacher of the Year Dr Kelly Kousi, Lecturer of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences with Martine Carter, Vice-President, Strategy, Planning and Performance (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Early-Career Teacher of the Year Dr Kelly Kousi, Lecturer of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences with Martine Carter, Vice-President, Strategy, Planning and Performance (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teacher of the Year Dr Venetia Evergeti, Associate Professor and Director of Learning and Teaching, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with Professor Emma Mayhew, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teacher of the Year Dr Venetia Evergeti, Associate Professor and Director of Learning and Teaching, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with Professor Emma Mayhew, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Collaborative Teaching Award, the Hackathon team - a cross-University collaboration involving staff from all academic faculties, Student Enterprise, Library and Learning, and CES PGRs with Professor Emma Mayhew, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Collaborative Teaching Award, the Hackathon team - a cross-University collaboration involving staff from all academic faculties, Student Enterprise, Library and Learning, and CES PGRs with Professor Emma Mayhew, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Researcher of the Year Dr Lirong Liu, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Environment and Sustainability with Professor Bob Nichol, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Executive Dean (FEPS) (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Researcher of the Year Dr Lirong Liu, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Environment and Sustainability with Professor Bob Nichol, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Executive Dean (FEPS) (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Dr Noelia Noel, Senior Lecturer in Physics, School of Maths and Physics with Will Davies, Acting Chief Operating Officer (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Dr Noelia Noel, Senior Lecturer in Physics, School of Maths and Physics with Will Davies, Acting Chief Operating Officer (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Public and Community Engagement Iain Main, Sports and Landscape Manager, Estates, Facilities and Catering Services with Patrick Degg, Vice-President, Global (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Public and Community Engagement Iain Main, Sports and Landscape Manager, Estates, Facilities and Catering Services with Patrick Degg, Vice-President, Global (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Colleague of the Year Ruth Gill, Director of Faculty Operations, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Colleague of the Year Ruth Gill, Director of Faculty Operations, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Leadership Tazeeb Rajwani, Professor of International Business and Strategy, Surrey Business School with Martine Carter, Vice-President, Strategy, Planning and Performance (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Leadership Tazeeb Rajwani, Professor of International Business and Strategy, Surrey Business School with Martine Carter, Vice-President, Strategy, Planning and Performance (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Innovator of the Year Dr Alison Callwood, Senior Lecturer in Integrated Care (Midwifery), School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences with Professor Bob Nichol, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Executive Dean (FEPS) (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Innovator of the Year Dr Alison Callwood, Senior Lecturer in Integrated Care (Midwifery), School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences with Professor Bob Nichol, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Executive Dean (FEPS) (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Supervisor of the Year Dr Anesa Hosein, Head of Educational Development & Research, Surrey Institute of Education with Professor Annika Bautz, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Executive Dean (FASS) (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Supervisor of the Year Dr Anesa Hosein, Head of Educational Development & Research, Surrey Institute of Education with Professor Annika Bautz, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Executive Dean (FASS) (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Professor Catherine McNamara, Head of the Guildford School of Acting accepting the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Wellbeing, Health and Safety on behalf of Mig Burgess-Walsh, Senior Lecturer at Guildford School of Acting, with Karen Raymer, Acting Chief People Officer (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Professor Catherine McNamara, Head of the Guildford School of Acting accepting the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Wellbeing, Health and Safety on behalf of Mig Burgess-Walsh, Senior Lecturer at Guildford School of Acting, with Karen Raymer, Acting Chief People Officer (L) and Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor (R).
Congratulations to all our finalists of the Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Staff Excellence 2023.
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