Staff Prizes

Staff Prizes and Awards

Congratulations to our staff on their achievements.

Awarded the 2023 Business Award at the West Northamptonshire Council’s Inspirational Women’s Awards

Becky Bradshaw

Becky was recognised for her leading work within the higher education sector.

STAAR Awards

The STAAR awards were created by the Students’ Union to recognise the achievements of staff, students and societies.  The STAAR awards are open to all members of the University and are a chance to recognise those within our Union, University and community.

Award for Advancement of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Kahvan Bryan

Professional Services Staff Member of the Year

Danny Mirza

Personal Academic Tutor of the Year

Dr Laura Taylor

Faculty of Business & Law Lecturer of the Year

Jason Vaughan

Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology Lecturer of the Year

Dr Mohammed Ghaleeh

Faculty of Health, Education & Society Lecturer of the Year

Abbie Deeming

Staff Innovation in Research Award

James Mason

Dr Jack Hardwicke

Outstanding Lecturer of the Year

Dr Tereza Aidonopoulou

Diamond Research Awards 2023

The Diamond Research Awards celebrated the research that takes place at UON, the staff and students that make it happen and the staff who supervise, mentor, support, teach, encourage and develop our researchers

Early Career Researcher

Dr Daniel Jones, Searchlight Collections Officer, Dr Michael Maher, Researcher in Social Innovation and Impact and Ben Wright, Graduate Teaching Assistant

Excellence in Doctoral Supervision

Associate Professor Cal Cooper, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Dr Mark Rothery, Senior Lecturer in 18th and 19th Century History

Excellence in Leadership

Dr Cathy Smith, Dean of Research, Innovation and Impact

Excellence in Research Mentorship

Associate Professor Cristina Devecchi, Senior Lecturer in Education

Justice, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research

Associate Professor Patrice Seuwou, Senior Lecturer in Digital Business

Knowledge Exchange and Engagement

Associate Professor Dr Liz Gulliford, Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Associate Professor Dr Ebenezer Laryea, Senior Lecturer in Law

Research Environment, Support and Development

Dr Karen Anthony, Professor of Molecular Medicine

Research Impact

Dr Federico Farini, Professor of Sociology and Dr Jane Murray, Professor of Education

Wellbeing in the Research Community

Associate Professor Michelle Pyer, Senior Researcher (Faculty of Health, Education and Society)

Dean’s Award in recognition of support to research

Laura Pereira, Postgraduate Research Manager

Changemaker Awards 2023: Celebrating community impact across Northamptonshire

The Changemaker Awards are the highlight of the year, valued by both staff and students in recognition of the fantastic work done in creating a positive social impact in the communities we serve.

Community Changemaker of the Year

The individual, community organisation or initiative from outside of the University who has demonstrated a significant commitment to Changemaking, whether locally, nationally or internationally.

Off The Streets NN

for their commitment to tackling knife and gang crime in Northamptonshire. Since 2021 they have been campaigning against these forms of crime while providing life saving training. They acknowledge that while there is a vital role in reaching young people before they become involved in knife crime, there is also the need to provide support to those who are already involved in, or witness, such a crime.

Culture, Heritage and Environment Changemaker of the Year

The individual, team, organisation or initiative that has demonstrated a significant commitment to Changemaking, enriching communities through culture and heritage.

Black Criminology Network

for their work in becoming a significant association for Black criminologists to raise awareness and bring together good practice.

The Network hosted a number of webinars throughout 2021 and 2022 which drew an audience from across the UK of students, academics and practitioners, allowing a diversity of views to be brought together in discussions about the over criminalisation of young Black males, the adultification of Black girls and the role of the British Empire in the marking of Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee. Together, speakers and participants were able to draw out the importance of Black History in understanding complex criminological issues.

Education Changemaker of the Year

The individual, team, organisation or initiative that has demonstrated a significant commitment to Changemaking which enables children and young people to flourish and learn.

Tereza Aidonopoulou-Read

for her dedication to developing a student experience at UON through an equality, diversity and inclusion lens, considering the student experience from a variety of perspectives.

She has a natural curiosity and interest in 8understanding experiences and identifying gaps in equitable provision that is always in the background of her work.

At the University of Northampton, Tereza is a voice for those who are either not heard or who cannot speak for themselves, taking on additional roles outside of her academic responsibility that allow her to advocate for a variety of student identities.

Enterprise Changemaker of the Year

The individual, team, organisation or initiative that has demonstrated a positive social impact through enterprise activity.

Perception Theatre

for raising awareness and positive change through creating theatre, film and digital content.

Perception Theatre Ltd was founded in November 2019 by the University of Northampton’s Acting for Contemporary and Devised Performance graduates, Joseph Roberts and Bobbie-Lee Scott.

They are a not-for-profit organisation that creates theatre, film and digital content to tackle current social issues through the power of acting and storytelling. The company was founded from a drive to create realistic characters and scenarios with the desire to spark conversation, raise awareness and create positive social, emotional and behavioural change.

Health and Wellbeing Changemaker of the Year

The individual, team, organisation or initiative that has demonstrated a positive social impact to benefit health and wellbeing in communities.

The Frank Bruno Foundation

for working hard to create positive change in communities and for those affected by mental ill-health.

The Frank Bruno Foundation was founded as a direct result of World Champion Boxer, Frank Bruno, wanting to create positive change in communities.

Frank has spoken openly of the vital role exercise has played in his battle with mental ill-health and is now driven to help others battle their mental health challenges.

The Foundation exists to provide support, encouragement and the motivation to succeed for those currently facing or recovering from mental ill-health issues.

International Changemaker of the Year

The individual, team, organisation or initiative that has demonstrated a significant commitment to Changemaking outside of the UK.

Village International Education Centre

for their commitment to community education around SEN and the advocacy for inclusive and accessible education.

Village International Education Centre (VIEC) is a school in Bangkok exclusively for children with special educational needs (SEN).

The centre provides a unique learning environment which combines multiple specialists such as teachers, psychologists and therapists into one setting.

VIEC is the only education setting of its kind in the region, meaning their work is vital to families, not just in Thailand but in the surrounding countries.

Staff Changemaker of the Year

The University of Northampton member of staff who has demonstrated a significant commitment to Changemaking, whether as part of their role or external to the University, locally, nationally or internationally.

Paul Smith

for showcasing the power of contributing to communities through volunteering.

Over a number of years, he has accumulated a wealth of experience supporting different communities through a variety of projects and volunteer roles, dedicating his time to creating positive change for those around him.

He is a prime example of someone who doesn’t consider what he’s doing to be Changemaking, because he has never done it for the recognition or title, but simply because he is drawn to supporting others and being actively involved in his community.

Learning & Teaching Awards

The Learning & Teaching Awards are a new annual celebration of excellence in learning and teaching at the University of Northampton.

Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology:

Excellence in Assessment and Feedback

Dr Suraj Ajit (Computing)

Excellence in Inclusion and Belonging

Jane Mills (Fashion)

Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation

Dr Rachel Moss (History)

The Rising Star Award

Dr Lucy Zhu (esports)

Faculty of Business and Law:

Excellence in Assessment and Feedback

Dr Maged Zakhar (Strategy and International Management)

Excellence in Inclusion and Belonging

Francine Bitalo and Stephanie Richards (Criminology)

Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation

Gosia Plotka (Business Systems and Operations)

The Rising Star Award

Matthew Holtz (Marketing and Entrepreneurship)

Faculty of Health, Education and Society:

Excellence in Assessment and Feedback

Gill Chambers (Education/Teacher Training)

Excellence in Inclusion and Belonging

Christine Collymore (Social Care)

Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation

Shev O’Brien (Nursing)

The Rising Star Award

Puremeluan Major (Public Health)

Professional Services:

Excellence in Assessment and Feedback

Paul Rice (Security & Community Safety)

Excellence in Inclusion and Belonging

Anna Quinn (Student Support & Advice)

Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation

Robert Farmer (Learning Technology)

The Rising Star Award

Lorraine-Marie James (Library & Learning Services)

Partners:

Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation

Daniel Hulatt from the Bedford College Group

Institutional Excellence in Assessment and Feedback

Dr Maged Zakhar

Excellence in Inclusion and Belonging

Christine Collymore

Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation

Dr Rachel Moss

The Rising Star Award

Lorraine-Marie James

National Teaching Fellow

The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme celebrates and recognises individuals who have had an outstanding impact on student outcomes and the teaching profession. Successful individuals also demonstrate impact and engagement beyond their immediate academic or professional role and commit to ongoing professional development within teaching and learning.

Professor Dr Kimberly Hill

Kimberley is recognised for her work in transforming Higher Education policies and processes around student wellbeing, safety and gender-based violence. This also reflects her work in engaging students as partners in changing the culture through innovative curriculum-embedded approaches. She is recognised for her impact on police, third-sector organisation, and global educator practice, among others.

Northamptonshire Carers Awards for Health & Social Care Champion

Professor Jacqueline Parkes

Jackie has led the University of Northampton Dementia Research and Innovation Centre (NDRIC) since 2012 and in recognition of her career and achievements received the award, which is in memory of Melanie Georgiou, a support working for Northamptonshire Carers from Rushden who died earlier this year.

Jackie’s successes include:

• Helming the Northamptonshire Dementia Action Forum.  This brings together organisations across health, social care and voluntary sectors to make Northamptonshire more dementia friendly.
• Creating Forget Me Nots, a support service for people with young onset dementia (those under 65 years).
• A creative force working with county partners to roll out the Brain Gym.
• Designed and developed UnityDEM, a service for those with dementia and their carers to receive specialised care, training and social opportunities.