Terms of Eligibility

This award recognises an alum aged 35 or under who has graduated within the last 10 years and has already made a positive impact locally, nationally, or internationally in their professional, voluntary, or charitable roles. They can be showcased as an inspiration to current students and their fellow alumni and have shown excellence in their field.

Eligibility

• The nominee should hold a degree or other qualification from the University of Aberdeen or its predecessor and affiliated institutions
• Nominations can be made by anyone, including self-nomination
• Self-nominations should be accompanied by a letter of support from an independent referee
• Honorary degree recipients are not eligible unless they have studied at the University
• Former winners will not be eligible to be nominated again in the category they previously won
• Nominees must be living at the time of nomination and no posthumous awards will be given
• Alumni who have previously requested no contact from the University will be ineligible for nomination

We are so grateful to all the Aberdeen alumni that give up their time to help, support and guide our current students as well as their fellow graduates. This award goes to an alum who has volunteered their time and expertise to support the activities of our students and other members of the Aberdeen family.

Eligibility

• The nominee should hold a degree or other qualification from the University of Aberdeen or its predecessor and affiliated institutions
• Nominations can be made by anyone, including self-nomination
• Self-nominations should be accompanied by a letter of support from an independent referee
• Honorary degree recipients are not eligible unless they have studied at the University
• Former winners will not be eligible to be nominated again in the category they previously won
• Nominees must be living at the time of nomination and no posthumous awards will be given
• Alumni who have previously requested no contact from the University will be ineligible for nomination

University of Aberdeen alumni make outstanding contributions in every walk of life and this award recognises an alum who has made an impact through their professional, voluntary, or charitable role be that locally, nationally, or internationally.  This graduate will be a strong leader, inspirational to current students and their fellow alumni and have shown excellence in their field.

Eligibility

• The nominee should hold a degree or other qualification from the University of Aberdeen or its predecessor and affiliated institutions
• Nominations can be made by anyone, including self-nomination
• Self-nominations should be accompanied by a letter of support from an independent referee
• Honorary degree recipients are not eligible unless they have studied at the University
• Former winners will not be eligible to be nominated again in the category they previously won
• Nominees must be living at the time of nomination and no posthumous awards will be given
• Alumni who have previously requested no contact from the University will be ineligible for nomination

Award Categories 

1. Best Undergraduate Lecturer
2. Best Supervisor (Undergraduate) 
3. Best Postgraduate (Taught) Lecturer
4. Best Supervisor (Postgraduate Research)
5. Personal Tutor of the Year
6. Most Accessible Lecturer 
7. Mental Health Champion  
8. Most Inspiring 
9. Community Champion 
10. Funniest lecturer 
11. Best Support Staff (individual award)
12. Best Support Team or Service 
13. Best Student Class Rep 
14. Best Student Ambassador

Terms of Eligibility

1. For award categories 1 – 10, nominators must be a current student of the University of Aberdeen. Nominators can be Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research students. The nominee must be a current member of academic staff at the University. (See summary of terms for clarification). 
2. For award category 11, nominators must be a current student at the University. Nominators can be Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research students. Nominees must be a non-academic member of University staff. This can be either staff in Professional or Support Services. (See summary of terms for clarification).
3. For award categories 12, nominators must be a current student at the University. Nominators can be Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research students. Nominees must be a member of University staff. This can be any staff, i.e. Academic staff, staff in Professional services or Support Services. (See summary of terms for clarification).
4. For award categories 13 and 14, the nominator must be a member of staff at the University, either Academic staff or staff in Professional and Support Services. The nominee must be a current student at the University. Nominees can be Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught or Postgraduate Research students.
5. Self-nominations for these awards will not be considered

Summary of Terms

1. Academic Staff – The term ‘academic staff’ refers to the requirement that staff nominated for this award must be involved in one of the Academic Schools as a member of teaching staff. 
2.  Professional and Support Services – This term refers to any department or staff position not directly related to Academic teaching. Examples would include staff members in Student Support, Registry, the Infohub, AUSA, Estates & Facilities, Catering, Research & Innovation, Careers & Employability Service etc.
    

The Principal’s Awards for Excellence in Professional and Support Services recognise the exceptional contributions made by individuals and teams. They recognise the positive impact staff can have on others and highlight the significant contributions of staff in fulfilling the objectives and values of the University.

Nominations are welcome from line managers, colleagues, students and representatives from external organisations in the following categories:

Award Categories

• Excellence in Customer Service
  A member of staff who has consistently delivered an outstanding level of customer service.
• Excellence in Leadership
  A manager who has demonstrated outstanding leadership which encouraged, motivated and inspired others.
• Excellence in Partnership Working
  A member of staff who has worked consistently and effectively with partners, or collaborated with others to support the University's strategic priorities.
• Excellence in Equality, Diversity & Sustainability
  A member of staff who has championed and advanced equality and diversity, or a member of staff who has made an outstanding contribution to enhancing the local community or the environment.
• Excellence in Creativity & Innovation 
  A member of staff who has created or implemented a new and innovative approach within their area of responsibility, which has supported the achievement of strategic ambitions
• Rising Star 
  A new member of staff (<2 years service) who has shown continuous commitment, enthusiasm and dedication to deliver outstanding services.
• Outstanding Contribution to a Team or Role
  A member of staff who has made an outstanding contribution through an ‘above and beyond’ attitude as well as dedication and willingness to promote wellbeing and help and support other colleagues.
• Outstanding Team
  A team who has made an outstanding contribution to the University in achieving their objectives. This team could be an existing business unit or an ad hoc team put together to achieve specific objectives.

The Outstanding Research Project Awards recognise projects carried out by individual researchers or teams of researchers that are innovative or have made a significant breakthrough or a major contribution to their field. 

In 2023, awards will be made in the following categories:

• Research Project - STEM subject areas (PGR or ECR nominees)
• Research Project - Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences subject areas (PGR or ECR nominees)
• Research Project – Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences subject areas (nominees at further stage of career development) 
• Research Project – STEM subject areas (nominees at further stage of career development)

Further information
Applicants will be required to identify a lead researcher and indicate whether the lead researcher is a PGR student or an Early Career Researcher (ECR)  or at a further stage of career development.

Summary of eligibility

1. This prize is open to all staff employed in a research capacity and to all postgraduate research students registered at the University of Aberdeen on the closing date.
2. Applications must demonstrate how the nominated research project has achieved impact within their field and/or influenced their field of research/expertise.  
3. Applications should include research that has been presented or published within 36 months of the closing date (i.e. since October 2019).

Summary of terms

1. Nominations must be made using the form provided.  Nominations are welcome from Supervisors, Directors of Research or Heads of School who are encouraged to discuss with the nominee to ensure that the application is as comprehensive as possible.  Individuals can also self-nominate.  
2. You may include letters of support from external sources explaining the significance of the research to the field.  Multiple letters of support should be submitted as a single pdf. 
3. The decision of the judging panel is final. 
4. References to REF scores should not be included.
5. An early career researcher is defined as a researcher who has less than four years’ academic research experience (or full-time equivalent) following the completion of their PhD, or is of equivalent professional standing.

Individual Postgraduate Researcher / Early Career Researcher

ELIGIBILITY
The Outstanding Research Award recognises individual PGR/ECR researchers who have recently carried out innovative research or made a significant breakthrough or a major contribution to their field.

Summary of eligibility

1. This prize is open to all PGRS and ECRs currently employed/registered at the University of Aberdeen
2. Applications must demonstrate how the research/publications put forwards have achieved impact and have influenced their field of research/expertise.
3. Only one entry per applicant is allowed.
4. Applications should include research that has been presented or published within the last 36 months (i.e. since November 2017).

Summary of terms

1. Nominations must be made using the form provided. Nominations can be made by Supervisors, Directors of Research or Heads of School. Individuals can also self-nominate.
2. You may include letters of support from external sources explaining the significance or impact of the interdisciplinary research. Multiple letters of support can be submitted preferably as one attachment.
3. The decision of the judging panel is final.
4. An early career researcher is defined as a researcher who has less than four years’ academic research experience (or full-time equivalent) following the completion of their PhD, or is of equivalent professional standing.
5. References to REF scores are not permitted under the terms of our Institutional Code of Practice.

ELIGIBILITY
The Interdisciplinary Research Award recognises one or more researchers who have recently worked as part of an interdisciplinary team and carried out innovative research or made a significant breakthrough or a major contribution to their field through interdisciplinary working.  The research must demonstrate using and integrating knowledge and methods from different disciplines and teams to generate new approaches to create new knowledge or innovation. 

Summary of eligibility

1. This prize is open to all staff currently employed in a research capacity at the University of Aberdeen and postgraduate research students registered at the University of Aberdeen on the closing date.  At least one applicant in an interdisciplinary team must qualify under these terms at the closing date.
2. Applications must demonstrate how the research put forward by the applicant(s) was interdisciplinary and how their contribution to the interdisciplinary team made a difference. The judging panel will prioritise identified projects/pieces of research as opposed to applications evidencing achievements across a number of different projects.  
3. Applications should include research that has been presented or published within the last 36 months (i.e. since October 2019).

Summary of terms

1. Nominations must be made using the form provided.  Nominations are encouraged from Supervisors, Directors of Research or Heads of School who are encouraged to discuss with the nominee to ensure that the application is as comprehensive as possible.  Teams can self-nominate, and applicants can nominate on behalf of an interdisciplinary team.  Nominations must be made using the form provided.
2. You may include letters of support from external sources explaining the significance of the research to the field.  Multiple letters of support should be submitted as a single pdf. 
3. The decision of the judging panel is final.
4. This is open to researchers at all stages of their career.
5. References to REF scores should not be included. 

ELIGIBILITY
The aim of this prize is to recognise successful engagement with industry that has resulted in a significant impact on the industry partner’s processes, products or services.  

Summary of eligibility

1. Applications may be submitted by the academic or the industry partner or an industry body.  Applications must have the support of the industry partner(s) demonstrated through one or more letters of support.
2. The judging panel will prioritise submissions that cover dedicated projects (with individual or multiple industry partners) over submissions that showcase multiple projects with industry, although the latter may also be submitted. 
3. The judging panel will be seeking projects that have had a significant impact on the industry partner’s business without regard to the amount of funding or length of project.
4. More than one academic can be named within nominations, but the nomination has to make clear the contribution of each academic to the project.
5. A letter of support from industry must accompany the submission. Multiple letters of support can be submitted.
6. This prize is open to all staff currently employed in a research capacity at the University of Aberdeen and postgraduate research students currently registered at the University of Aberdeen.
7. Applications must demonstrate that the industry engagement has had a real effect on or benefit to the industry partner e.g. through the development of a new procedure, process or service.
8. Industry is defined broadly as any organisation with a mission to create economic or social impact. Note that public sector organisations are not eligible.
9. Industry engagement which has started or finished within the last 36 months (i.e. since October 2019) is eligible for submission.  
10. Staff or students whose primary role within the University is industry engagement are not eligible to apply.

Summary of terms

1. Nominations must be made using the form provided.
2. The decision of the judging panel is final.
3. Winning entries may be used for case studies to promote industry engagement internally and externally. Case studies will be provided to the industry partners and confidential information will not be used in case studies
4. References to REF scores should not be included. 

ELIGIBILITY
The aim of this award is to recognise the achievements of a team of researchers who have worked together on a number of projects.  The nomination must demonstrate the benefits of team working to the creation of new knowledge or to innovation.

Summary of eligibility

1. This prize is open to all staff currently employed in a research capacity at the University of Aberdeen and postgraduate research students registered at the University of Aberdeen on the closing date.  At least one applicant in the team must qualify under these terms at the closing date.
2. Applications must demonstrate how team working has made a difference. The judging panel will prioritise identified projects/pieces of research as opposed to applications evidencing achievements across a number of different projects.  
3. Applications should include research that has been presented or published within the last 36 months (i.e. since October 2019).
4. It is not necessary for all the team members to have worked on each of the projects described in the application, but each project must involve more than one member of the nominated team.

Summary of terms

1. Nominations must be made using the form provided.  Nominations are encouraged from Supervisors, Directors of Research or Heads of School who are encouraged to discuss with the nominee team to ensure that the application is as comprehensive as possible.  Teams can self-nominate, and applicants can nominate on behalf of a team.  Nominations must be made using the form provided.
2. You may include letters of support from external sources explaining the significance of the team’s research to their field(s).  Multiple letters of support should be submitted as a single pdf. 
3. The decision of the judging panel is final.
4. This is open to researchers at all stages of their career.
5. References to REF scores should not be included. 

The Impact Award recognises a project or projects carried out by individual researchers or teams of researchers that resulted in significant non-academic impact. 

Non-academic impact is defined as the demonstrable effect that the research has had on society or the economy, and the benefit that the research has had on individuals, organisations or nations.

Summary of eligibility

1. This award is open to all staff employed in a research capacity and to all postgraduate research students registered at the University of Aberdeen on the closing date.
2. Applications must demonstrate the impact achieved and the link between the research and the impact.  
3. Impacts that have been submitted as part of the University’s REF2021 submission are not eligible.

Summary of terms

1. Nominations must be made using the form provided.  Nominations are encouraged from Supervisors, Directors of Research or Heads of School who are encouraged to discuss with the nominee team to ensure that the application is as comprehensive as possible.  Individuals can also self-nominate.  
2. You must include at least one letter of support from an external sources explaining the significance of the impact.  Multiple letters of support should be submitted as a single pdf. 
3. The decision of the judging panel is final. 
4. References to REF scores should not be included.
5. An early career researcher is defined as a researcher who has less than four years’ academic research experience (or full-time equivalent) following the completion of their PhD, or is of equivalent professional standing.
6. The judges will be able to make an award of up to £2000 for the winner to use for further engagement and impact activities.

The Outstanding Postgraduate Research Supervisor Award recognises an individual who has delivered outstanding supervision to one or more doctoral research students. We are seeking nominations of supervisors who are providing a supportive, stimulating and inspirational research environment for doctoral students. 

We are particularly keen to receive nominations of supervisors who demonstrate:

• Innovative (or pioneering) approaches to supervision (e.g., students from non-traditional backgrounds)
• Outstanding support for students during challenging times
• Genuine enthusiasm for supervising students
• Development of outstanding career paths for their students

Postgraduate students are also invited to nominate their supervisor for this award.

Summary of eligibility

1. This prize is open to all staff actively supervising doctoral students and employed at the University of Aberdeen on the closing date.
2. Nominations must demonstrate why and how the nominated staff member has provided outstanding supervision and support during their postgraduate research studies.
3. Students nominating their supervisors must be registered at the University of Aberdeen for a doctoral postgraduate research degree or must have completed their studies no more than one year prior to the closing date.

Summary of terms

1. Nominations from staff and students must be made using the form provided.  
2. The decision of the judging panel is final. 
    

The University of Aberdeen promotes the highest standards of research, and strives to provide a working environment that supports and rewards a positive research culture. 

As part of our work on promoting a positive research culture, the University of Aberdeen welcomes nominations for staff members leading initiatives, programmes or projects that have made an outstanding contribution towards a more supportive, inclusive and collaborative research culture.

We embrace the Royal Society’s definition of research culture which states that “Research Culture encompasses the behaviours, values, expectations, attitudes and the norms of research communities. It influences who is doing research, what research is done and how it is communicated. Research culture impacts on … integrity, diversity, career paths, reward and recognition, open science and the ethos of collaboration.”

We are particularly keen to receive nominations that demonstrate a positive contribution to: 

• The building and vitality of researcher communities and networks to help foster a sense of connection and belonging. These may include supporting the wellbeing of others, creating inclusive teams, ensuring individual voices are heard, non-traditional ways of recognising contributions.
• Supporting researchers to advance their careers through eg constructive conversations, developing research independence or activities that help inform new career paths. 
• Ensuring responsible research practices, and efforts to ensure that research integrity is at the core of our work, ensuring that it is ethical, honest, rigorous, respectful, and accountable. This should also ensure all researchers can conduct their research to the highest quality standards and feel safe and supported in doing so.
• Supporting activities which contribute to open science and may include eg innovative or open approaches to sharing research data, activities and outputs 

Summary of eligibility

1. This prize is open to all staff currently employed at the University of Aberdeen and postgraduate research students registered at the University of Aberdeen on the closing date.
2. Nominations must explain how the nominated initiative, programme or project has provided or will provide a beneficial effect on the University’s research culture.
3. Nominations must describe work that is in progress or has been completed within two years prior to the closing date.

Summary of terms

1. Nominations must be made using the form provided.  Nominations are encouraged from all staff and students at the University.  Self-nominations are also welcome, and applicants can nominate on behalf of a team.  
2. Nominations may include letters of support from University staff and students and from external sources explaining the significance of the nominated initiative.
3. The decision of the judging panel is final. 
4. References to REF scores should not be included.

The Development and Alumni Relations Office is delighted to recognise the contributions of staff and students to philanthropic fundraising and alumni engagement. We have received tremendous support over the past year and this award will recognise any of the following activities that have contributed to the University’s strategic aims

• engagement with our alumni, including events, visits and other activities;
• engagement with donors and potential donors;
• personally giving or fundraising in aid of University initiatives;
• raising awareness of the impact and importance of philanthropic giving.

The benefits of fundraising and alumni relations impact the whole University community and this Award is intended to recognise the people that enable this across the institution.

ELIGIBILITY
The Excellence Award for Philanthropy / Alumni Engagement recognises any member of staff who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the University through philanthropic (charitable) or alumni engagement activities (UK and/or overseas).

Summary of eligibility

1. This award is open to all staff currently employed at the University of Aberdeen
2.  Applicants must demonstrate how they have contributed to the University’s philanthropic aims or alumni engagement activities.
3. Only one entry per applicant is allowed.
4. Applications should include examples of impactful activities from the past 12-24 months.

Summary of terms

Nominations must be made using the form provided. Self-nominations or nominations from the Development and Alumni Relations Office are welcomed.

The decision of the judging panel is final.

Summary of eligibility

1. Applications can be submitted by the nominee or by another member of University staff.
2. Eligible candidates must be current University of Aberdeen staff or postgraduate student.
3. Applications may not be submitted to a category the applicant has previously won.
4. Applications must demonstrate a substantive research-led approach to the public engagement undertaken. Examples may include:-

• Engaging publics about research (e.g. talks, workshops, broadcasting and media).
• Supporting communities (e.g. working with pupils and teachers, community groups, engaging with policymakers).
• Inspiring the next generation.
• Addressing societal concerns.
• Fostering collaborative or partnership approaches.

5. Supporting evidence must include contributions within the past 24 months.
6. Applications that demonstrate creative and innovative approaches to public engagement are particularly welcomed.
7. Applications should indicate any learning outcomes and experiences achieved though the public engagement and successful nominees should be willing to share these.
8. Staff and students whose primary role is around public engagement and members of the Public Engagement with Research Unit at the University of Aberdeen are ineligible for this prize.
9. Applicants should select the category for which they wish to be considered.
10. Applications which focus on research areas in the biomedical sciences covered by the Wellcome Trust remit will be considered for the biomedical sciences prize. Applications do not necessarily need to be funded by Wellcome Trust. The disciplines within this remit can be found here https://wellcome.ac.uk/funding

Summary of terms

1. The Principal’s Prize for Public Engagement with Research is an annual award to reflect outstanding achievement in the field of research and researcher-led public engagement.
2. Nominations should be submitted by completing the online form linked at abdn.ac.uk/excellenceawards
3. The decision of the judging panel is final