Vice-Chancellor’s Awards shines a light on exceptional staff

On Friday 15 September, the University celebrated staff from across the institution, including the School of Design and Creative Arts, for the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards.

The Vice Chancellor’s Awards run every September to recognise, honour and celebrate members of the University staff community who have achieved amazing things, demonstrating their commitment to the University’s aims and values, especially around togetherness.

It is now one of the most prestigious events in the University calendar for our colleagues, which can be demonstrated by the 200+ nominations that were submitted for 17 awards across six categories related to research and innovation, education and student experience, equity, diversity and inclusion, international engagement and impact, sporting excellence and opportunity, and living the values.

Tamarin Norwood receiving a VC award from the Vice-Chancellor, Nick Jennings

Impactful Research and Innovation

For research and innovation that has delivered significant and sustained impact on society.

Winner: Tamarin Norwood

Dr Norwood’s research sits at the intersection of medical humanities, bereavement studies and creativity, including a focus on drawing and life-writing. Her research examines the intersection of creativity and death from a theoretical perspective. Her upcoming Leverhulme ECR Fellowship will redress inequalities inherited when research draws upon groups already accessing baby loss support.

Nomination: SDCA Design Ergonomics Team

In work spanning over thirteen years and over £1m funding, the SDCA team have achieved significant impact in the safety of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) across the 58 nations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

Creative Arts Technical Tutors receiving their VC Award from the Vice-Chancellor, Nick Jennings

Enchanging the Student Academic Experience

For creating the conditions, both within and outside of our teaching spaces, that significantly enhance the student academic experience.

Joint Winners: Creative Arts Technical Tutors

Typically limited to teaching into other modules, the technical tutors were tasked with creating, staffing and assessing a module whose delivery would be flexible enough to cater for three separate courses and could instil the basic principles of the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite of softwares into all Creative Arts students.

Innovation and Impact in Education

For significant innovation and impact in education provision.

Nomination: Sara C-K-Reader

Sara inherited the arduous task of designing the first module of a new Graphic Design course that first years would face: ACA140 Graphic Design Contexts - a 20 credit module for 150 students. The module had to set a new tone for the course, re-establish the importance of the material world in an increasingly digital age, and welcome a diverse cohort to a very large institution.

International Partnerships

For achieving significant impact and outstanding outcomes through international collaborations and networks.

Nomination: Ashleigh Filtness

Professor Ashleigh Filtness was nominated for the VC award for International partnerships in recognition of outstanding global engagement in her recent project of co-editing the upcoming book The Handbook for Fatigue Management in Transportation: Waking up to the Challenge.

International Reputation

For outstanding international engagement that has enhanced the University’s global profile.

Nomination: George Torrens

Dr Torrens has developed strong links with Universities in Pakistan, South Africa, China, and more recently, Saudi Arabia, and has hosted visits from distinguished academics in these and other countries. Dr Torrens supervises several international PhD students which have also helped to develop links with several other key international institutions.

View the winners and nominations