Student Prizes

Emmanuel Safo

• Winner of the Dean’s Award for the School of Strategy, Management & International Business

Emmanuel has exemplified academic excellence, remarkable personal growth, commitment, and outstanding engagement throughout his time at University. During his studies, he has demonstrated significant improvement in his academic performance, professional skills, confidence, and ability to translate knowledge into practice. Emmanuel has also been an engaged and proactive member of his cohort, contributing thoughtfully to class discussions and collaborative projects. His determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment to personal development have been truly inspiring. His journey is a testament to the power of ambition, perseverance, and education, making him a deserving winner of the Dean’s Award.

Adepeju Alao

• Winner of the BA Business Management Most Resilient Student Award

Freya Lamb

• Winner of the BA Business Management Leadership Award

Zobia Noor

• Winner of the BA Business Management Most Dedicated Course Representative Award

Daniel Warren

• Winner of the BA Business Management Most Entrepreneurial Student Award

Grayce Harding

• Winner of the BA Business Management Exceptional Placement Student Award

Morayoninuoluwa Abdul-Imoyo

• Winner of the BA Business Management Most Dedicated Student Award

Diyang Xiao

• Winner of the BA Business Management Exceptional International Student Award

Oluwatimilehin Akele-Dairo

• Winner of the Aspiring People & Professional Conduct Award

Oluwatimilehin is recognised for the exceptional determination, commitment and integrity he demonstrated throughout his studies. His First-Class degree in Human Resource Management reflects the University’s value of aspiration, while his outstanding academic work brought together employee perspectives across a range of diverse identities and disabilities, demonstrating a genuine commitment to inclusivity. Through his internship at Farrer & Co, he also showed the professionalism, reliability and respect that underpin trust. We are delighted to recognise his achievements and believe he will continue to create positive social impact through a successful career in the HR profession.

Jinhao He

• Winner of the Business Project Competition

Jinhao’s project stood out for its outstanding quality, creativity, and professionalism, distinguishing it as one of the strongest submissions in the competition.

By consistently pushing beyond expectations and striving for excellence, Jinhao demonstrated exceptional analytical ability, initiative, and commitment, resulting in a project of remarkable academic and practical merit.

Congratulations on your achievement!

Isobel Clarke

• Winner of the School of Law, Criminology & Criminal Justice Dean’s Award

Isobel is receiving this award due to consistently excelling in her BA Criminology degree. Isobel provided insightful discussion points in a number of her modules. Additionally, Isobel consistently achieved impressive grades throughout her studies, with her overall module marks at level 5 and 6 ranging between 60-79. Isobel’s knowledge, skill-set and critical ability all came together for her dissertation on social media discourses and victim-blaming, which was awarded a first-class mark of 79, which is no easy task. We would like to congratulate Isobel on her outstanding achievements.

Vivian Tola

• Winner of the Julia Pick Memorial Prize

Julia Pick was a student on the Law programme who tragically died shortly after her graduation.  Since then, her parents, have funded a Prize for a law graduate who has supported the law student experience and made contributions to the LLB courses. The Law team would like to thank Mr and Mrs Pick for their continued support. Vivian is awarded this prize in recognition of her hard work, dedication and commitment during her time as President of the Law Society. She put a great deal of time and effort into liaising with staff and ensuring effective communication within the Society. She also worked hard to produce an informative, engaging and high-quality Law Society newsletter, keeping members up to date with news and activities. In addition, Vivian helped with the LLM photoshoot, demonstrating her willingness to get involved in different initiatives and support the wider team. Her excellent communication, organisational skills and teamwork made a real difference to the success of the Law Society. Throughout her presidency, Vivian consistently went above and beyond, showing initiative, enthusiasm and a strong commitment to the Society.

Lucy Wright

• Winner of the Northamptonshire Law Society Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement.

The Law team award this honour to the student with the best dissertation, this year the winner of that Award is Lucy whose dissertation focuses on the effectiveness of UK law and international human rights standards in protecting Deaf People. Lucy analysed this in key contexts where Deaf People face disadvantage: healthcare, education and employment, and the family. Lucy’s dissertation is a comprehensive and scholarly explanation of the lived experiences of Deaf People and key human rights provisions. Lucy showed a detailed understanding of important legal principles while also incorporating discussion of concepts such as ableism, oralism, Deaf Gain, and eugenics into her legal analysis. Her supervisor said that it was a pleasure to supervise Lucy’s work over the past academic year, particularly in such an under-researched area. Lucy shows great promise as a researcher, and she is fully deserving of recognition for her hard work and achievement. The Law team would like to thank the Northamptonshire Law Society for their continuing support of this prize. Congratulations Lucy!

Lucie Nguyen

• Winner of the Dean’s Award for Best Dissertation in the Field of International Marketing

Lucie completed an outstanding piece of research focused on sustainable fashion consumption and the gap between intention and behavior of Vietnamese Gen Z consumers. Her dissertation was fantastic, congratulations Lucie.

Mandy Yip

• Winner of The Channel 4 Challenge with Purpose Prize

Mandy was an outstanding contributor to the Channel 4 project, combining creativity and talent with an exceptional work ethic. She brought energy, imagination and determination to the challenge, consistently demonstrating her ability to develop strong ideas and turn them into high-quality work. Throughout the project, Mandy showed real personal commitment and a willingness to take responsibility for delivering the very best work she could. Her creativity, professionalism and determination made her individual contribution truly stand out and make her a very deserving recipient of the Channel 4 ‘Challenge with Purpose’ Award.

Charlotte Bedford

• Winner of the Inspiring Graduate Award

Charlotte has demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism, and resilience throughout her studies. Successfully balancing her degree alongside her part-time events job and running her own business, she consistently approached every challenge with positivity, determination, and a genuine concern for others. What makes Charlotte particularly remarkable is her commitment to creating opportunities for those around her. Despite managing her own health challenges, she established The Her Network, a supportive community for women living with chronic illness, chronic pain, and invisible conditions. Charlotte exemplifies what it means to turn personal challenges into positive impact, inspiring others through her leadership, compassion, and determination to succeed.

Ariadna Farnos Marzal

• Winner of the Dean’s Award for the School of Marketing & Hospitality Management

Ariadna has been an exceptional student throughout her studies, consistently demonstrating dedication, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to learning and personal development. Eager to embrace every opportunity available, she continually sought to enhance her skills and broaden her experience both inside and outside the classroom. As the leader of her final-year event team, she played a pivotal role in delivering a highly successful event that raised vital funds and awareness for Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Ariadna consistently went above and beyond expectations, building strong relationships with industry partners and inspiring those around her. Her resilience, determination, and wholehearted engagement with university life make her a truly deserving recipient of the Dean’s Award.

Linda Dmitrijeva

• Winner of the BSc Marketing Award for Outstanding Performance

Linda has worked tirelessly and consistently throughout her studies in BSc Marketing at The University of Northampton. Linda has achieved consistent high grades and has been a fantastic example to the cohort. We wish to recognise this level of achievement, Linda you should be very proud. We know Linda will go on to achieve many great things in her career, and we wish her all the best. Well done Linda.

Monika Kunc

• Winner of the Academic Achievement Prize for BSc Accounting and Finance

Monika receives the Academic Achievement Prize for BSc Accounting and Finance in recognition of her outstanding performance throughout all three years of study at the University of Northampton. Graduating with First Class Honours, she earned exceptionally high grades across all modules. Monika distinguished herself through her active participation in classroom discussions and willingness to collaborate with fellow students. Her achievements also earned her a place on the shortlist for the PQ Student of the Year award. Her sustained academic excellence and commitment to learning make her a deserving recipient of this prize.

Thi Nguyen

• Winner of the McGrawHill Prize for Academic Excellence in Management Accounting

Thi receives the McGrawHill Prize for Academic Excellence in Management Accounting in recognition of her outstanding achievement in her final year at the University of Northampton. Graduating with First Class Honours, she achieved an exceptional 98% in the Management Accounting examination. She distinguished herself through her active engagement in classroom discussions, enthusiasm for learning and willingness to collaborate with fellow students. Her academic performance reflects her dedication and strong understanding of the subject. This prize recognises her exceptional attainment in Management Accounting and her commitment to excellence throughout her studies.

Zainab Vora

• Winner of the Contribution to Student Life Prize in the School of Accounting Analytics & Finance

This prize celebrates Zainab’s generosity, leadership and commitment to helping fellow students thrive. Graduating with First Class Honours, Zainab combined academic excellence with a significant contribution to the University of Northampton community. As a Learning Development Mentor, she helped students develop their academic skills and confidence. Through Student Futures, her work as a Career Coach supported new students in exploring career paths, finding work opportunities and building professional networks. Her promotion of campus events, collaborative approach and willingness to share advice enriched university life. Zainab’s dedication to supporting others makes her a deserving recipient of this award.

Syed Hasan

• Winner of the Academic Prize in BSc Business Data & Information Systems

This prize celebrates Syed Hasan’s achievements throughout his BSc Business Data & Information Systems degree. Graduating with First Class Honours and high grades across all modules, Syed combined academic success with an active contribution to university research. In recognition of his performance and contributions, he was recruited as a research assistant on the (P)URB@N Project in his final academic year. He successfully completed this work and presented it at the Learning and Teaching Conference. His achievements reflect his dedication to his studies and his contribution to the University’s academic community.

Michael Anuke

• Winner of the Prize for Economics

Michael worked very hard to achieve his grades and using his initiative he arranged a placement year which he used to develop his skills as an economist. He worked well in small teams and was a popular member of the course. The course team congratulate Michael on his success!

Jack Adams

• Winners of the CFA Institute Student Scholarship Award

Jack is recognised for being awarded the CFA Institute Student Scholarship in recognition of his outstanding academic performance on the BSc Finance programme. Throughout his studies at the University of Northampton, he has consistently demonstrated excellence, dedication, and a strong commitment to developing his knowledge of investment and finance. In addition to his academic achievements, Jack has made a valued contribution as a Student Representative, working closely with both his peers and the programme team to enhance the student experience. We congratulate Jack on this well-deserved achievement and wish him every success in his future career.

Abigail Crawley

• Winners of the CFA Institute Student Scholarship Award

Abigail is recognised for being awarded the CFA Institute Student Scholarship in recognition of her commitment to academic excellence and professional development. Throughout her time at the University of Northampton, she has demonstrated dedication, resilience, and a strong work ethic. This prestigious scholarship recognises her achievements and potential, and we wish her every success in her future career in finance.

Sania AzadAli

• Winner of the International Accountant Prize

This award is proudly presented to Sania in recognition of her outstanding dedication to her academic studies, her consistently positive attitude towards learning, and her commitment to achieving excellence in all that she does. It celebrates her hard work, determination and perseverance, as well as the enthusiasm and curiosity she brings to every learning opportunity.

Sania has demonstrated a wonderful willingness to challenge herself, embrace new experiences and develop her knowledge and skills. Her commitment to giving her best, her resilience when faced with challenges, and her enthusiasm for making progress are qualities truly worthy of recognition.

This award acknowledges not only her academic efforts and achievements but also the positive example she sets through her approach to learning. Sania should be incredibly proud of all that she has accomplished.

Haroon Saeed

• Winner of the Dean’s Award for the School of Accounting, Analytics & Finance

This award recognises Haroon’s outstanding academic performance, exceptional dedication to learning, and a consistent commitment to excellence across all areas of his studies. It celebrates the hard work, determination and perseverance he demonstrates, alongside his enthusiasm for acquiring new knowledge, developing his skills and continually striving to achieve his very best. Haroon has shown an impressive commitment to his education, approaching learning opportunities with focus, curiosity and a desire to succeed. His ability to apply himself, embrace challenges and maintain high standards reflects his positive attitude and strong determination to reach his goals. He consistently demonstrates a willingness to go above and beyond, taking pride in his work and striving to produce outcomes of the highest quality. This award is a testament to Haroon’s achievements, his dedication and the positive approach he brings to his learning journey. He should be incredibly proud of all that he has accomplished and the high standards he continues to set for himself.

Kayla Syahrennisa

• Winner of the Dean’s Award for the School of Accounting, Analytics & Finance

Kayla is recognised for her outstanding academic achievement and valuable contribution to the student community throughout her studies on BSc International Finance. She has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, dedication and a strong commitment to her studies. As Course Representative, Kayla has actively represented her fellow students, facilitated communication between students and academic staff, and contributed to enhancing the student experience. Her ability to combine academic excellence with a genuine commitment to supporting others reflects her leadership and professionalism. We are proud of her achievements and wish her every success in the future.

Robert Atarie Esaduwa

• Winner of the Intellectual Curiosity Award

Robert has demonstrated a rare and valuable quality: genuine intellectual curiosity. From his very first class in Fundamentals of Project Management, he stood out for his willingness to ask probing questions, challenge ideas and persist until he truly understood, an approach that deepened not only his own learning but that of his classmates. On our international study trip to Germany and the Netherlands, his questions to industry experts created some of the most memorable moments. His dissertation journey showed real perseverance, as he embraced its challenges and learnt from them. We are confident a bright future lies ahead of him.

Tim Shoko

• Winner of the Outstanding Engagement & Leadership Award

Tim has been an exemplary member of our learning community throughout his studies. Widely recognised by lecturers for his active participation, he consistently brought thoughtful, timely questions to class, enriching discussions for everyone. A natural team leader, he brought groups together and drove work to completion, notably as part of a three-member team that reached the final of the APM Project Challenge and was invited to present its work as a poster. Tim’s clarity of purpose shaped his dissertation in renewable energy, which became a genuine bridge to his career, where he is now thriving in that same field.

Laura Luckman

• Winners of the Julie Quilter Award for Excellence in Midwifery

Throughout her course, Laura has performed extremely strongly academically and has been a delight to teach, but what makes her particularly special is that her achievements extend far beyond her academic work. Those who have worked with Laura describe her as caring, kind, compassionate and enthusiastic, and an absolute pleasure to be around. Laura builds trust easily and consistently goes above and beyond to advocate for and empower those in her care. Laura has also been described as having a wonderful “Tigger bounce”, bringing an energy and positivity that lifts those around her.

Perhaps the greatest compliment came from someone who said they would be more than happy for Laura to care for any of their own family or friends because they would know they were in safe hands. Congratulations, Laura. We are incredibly proud of everything you have achieved. We have no doubt that you will be a fantastic midwife.

Evie Wade

• Winners of the Julie Quilter Award for Excellence in Midwifery

Evie has consistently demonstrated the qualities of an exceptional future midwife. She has a natural ability to make women feel relaxed, comfortable, and supported, building trusting relationships with every family she meets. Her kindness, compassion, and genuine desire to provide the best possible care shines through in all that she does. Evie has embraced every learning opportunity with enthusiasm and professionalism. As a third-year student, Evie has become a role model to others. She supports staff and fellow students, willingly helping wherever needed and setting an excellent example of teamwork and professionalism. Her resilience in overcoming personal challenges while maintaining a positive and compassionate approach is truly inspiring. Evie embodies the values of midwifery and the NMC Code. Any service would be fortunate to have her, and I have no doubt she will become an outstanding midwife. Congratulations, Evie. We are incredibly proud of you.

Stephanie Doyle

• Winner of the Graham Mitchell Award

Steph has demonstrated exceptional personal and academic growth throughout her time at university, achieving significant improvement in her academic performance across all three years despite managing additional support needs. Beyond her academic achievements, Steph has made an outstanding contribution to the university community. She has been an integral and founding member of several student societies, including the Crochet Society and K-pop Society. She also participated in the British Sign Language society. As a first-generation university student, Steph has through her warmth, encouragement, and active involvement in university life, played a significant role in fostering a sense of belonging among other students.

Esther Okereafor

• Winner of the David Stewart Memorial Award

Awarded to the highest achieving student in Health Psychology – Congratulations on your achievement

Debra Bellot

• Winner of the Kevin Buchanan Award

Debra has demonstrated extraordinary courage, resilience, determination and compassion throughout her time at university. Returning to education later in life, she has achieved exceptional academic success while navigating profound personal challenges. Through it all, she has remained steadfast in her commitment to learning, she has consistently excelled academically and remained a source of unwavering support, kindness and encouragement to those around her. Her strength in the face of adversity, combined with her humility, generosity and commitment to helping others, has made a lasting impact on both staff and fellow students. Debra’s journey is a remarkable example of perseverance and achievement. Her ability to thrive in the face of adversity while uplifting those around her embodies the very best of our university community, making her a truly deserving recipient of this award

Clare Higgins

• Winner of the BPS Undergraduate Award

This honour is awarded to our final-year Psychology student who achieve the highest overall score in an accredited BSc Psychology programme at level 6. Congratulations on your achievement.

Zoe Grimston

• Winner of the Occupational Therapy Professional Recognition Award

• Winner of the Occupational Therapy Research Award

Zoe has consistently demonstrated outstanding professionalism in all areas of her study and practice placements. Her commitment and dedication to the progression of the profession has stood out throughout her studies and will be an inspiration to occupational therapists in the future. Zoe has demonstrated excellent knowledge and skills through her dedication to research during her teaching at a research placement at the university and through her own dissertation: ‘Occupational Therapy in mainstream primary schools: An exploration into occupational therapists’ experience of collaboration with school staff.’ Zoe has a passion and commitment to the occupational therapy evidence base which continues in her current role and we look forward to Zoe’s future research achievements.

Abbie Hooton

• Winner of the Occupational Therapy Student Engagement Award

• Joint Winner of the Simons Award for Occupational Therapy Student Placement Achievement

Abbie truly excelled on her final year placement, based in a Special Education Needs school. She showed significant determination, drive and dedication to this placement along with excellent clinical skills, professionalism, and leadership. She approached every task with enthusiasm, flexibility and a genuine willingness to support wherever needed, quickly becoming a trusted and highly valued member of the team. Her attention to detail, excellent organisational skills and ability to communicate effectively with staff, pupils and families have been particularly impressive. Abbie has consistently demonstrated excellent dedication and engagement from the first to last day of her studies, including supporting the engagement of her peers. Abbie leads with compassion and kindness and is an asset to the occupational therapy profession.

Lianne Lizaitis

• Winner of the Innovation Award in Occupational Therapy

Lianne wins this award for developing an innovative service, called ‘First Flight’; an inclusive occupational therapy-led community service supporting individuals following a first episode of psychosis which will enable re-engagement in meaningful occupations and reintegration into their communities. Lianne has demonstrated extensive knowledge and understanding, followed by deep empathy and a passion to educate others to remove judgement and stigma within society and advocating for occupational justice for those experiencing psychosis.

Sonia Pietrzak

• Winner of the Apprenticeship Award

Sonia has shown great strength and resilience during her studies. She has developed significantly in confidence and self-belief and will make a fantastic Occupational Therapist. The Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship team are proud of your achievements.

Sandra Smith & Danielle Welch

• Joint Winners of the Simons Award for Occupational Therapy Student Placement Achievement

Danielle & Sandra showed a proactive and professional approach to their role emerging placements right from the beginning. Working with their student peers, they showed ambition and courage in what they set out to achieve during their 12 weeks and delivered some very high-quality resources for the school that successfully demonstrated the value and key role of an Occupational Therapist in this setting, so much so that the Senior Leaders at the school are now considering employing an Occupational Therapist. Together they innovated, created and delivered an educational video on ADHD in mainstream school which is now being used across multiple senior schools in the region. This has impacted some significant changes within the school for the benefit of pupil’s learning attainment. Congratulations!

Rosemary Marston

• Winner of the Paramedic Student of The Year Award

Rosie has consistently demonstrated professionalism, commitment and compassion throughout her time on the Paramedic Science programme. Despite the significant demands of balancing academic study with challenging placements, she has maintained an exceptional standard in all aspects of her development. Rosie is always willing to support her peers, offering guidance and encouragement to both her own cohort and students from other year groups. She has actively contributed to faculty activities whenever possible and serves as an outstanding ambassador for the profession. She is widely respected by staff and students alike for her reliability, leadership and willingness to go above and beyond. Rosie demonstrates all the qualities of an outstanding paramedic, and we are confident she will serve her community with distinction throughout her career. Her dedication, positive attitude and commitment to helping others make her a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Stella Sarpong

• Winner of the BA Health and Social Care Practice Prize

Stella has been a constant source of compassion and caring to her peers on the Health and Social Care Practice course

Owen Powell

• Winner of the Student Impact Award

Owen has been an influential student across the 3 years of his degree. Becoming a course rep, engaging and collaborating across each year group and engaging with the Rugby Society. Whilst being a mentor for fellow students across each year Owen was able to knuckle down achieving great academic success and produce an influential individual project. We wish Owen all the best in the future with wherever his journey takes him next.

Jovian Smith

• Winner of the Best Individual Esports Project Award

Jovian submitted a project that he undertook with such passion and professionalism. The final version of the project is a testament to the time, effort and dedication put in through the year. Jovian explored the sustainability of the current ecosystem within esports. This project has since been reworked and submitted for potential journal publication.

Caitlan Clack

• Winner of the Sport & Exercise Science Dissertation Award

Caitlan’s dissertation, which assessed cardiovascular health using ultrasound across multiple age ranges, demonstrated an admirable level of dedication, professionalism and commitment to research. Caitlan excelled in participant recruitment, successfully engaging individuals from diverse backgrounds and across different stages of life. This reflects her excellent communication and interpersonal skills, alongside her determination to overcome challenges. Her enthusiasm, perseverance and commitment to producing meaningful research make her a highly deserving candidate for this award, congratulations on your success Caitlan

Olivia Timms

•  Winner of the Therabody Outstanding Achievement in Sport Rehabilitation & Conditioning Award

During her 3-years on the course Olivia demonstrated exceptional levels of perseverance, engagement, effort to improve and an all round positive approach to learning. These qualities and the enthusiasm she brought both to her lessons and work-based learning environments resulted in Olivia attaining the overall highest grade across this graduating year. Congratulations Olivia, and we wish you every success in your next steps.

Ciaran Beeby, Douglas Evans, Niall Walker and Carme Pastor Ribot

Fashion students from the University of Northampton have been recognised in a prestigious national design competition run by the Worshipful Company of Glovers of London, celebrating creativity and craftsmanship in glove design.

The competition’s top accolade, the Silver Salver, is awarded annually to the academic institution that demonstrates the strongest and most consistent body of work across multiple entries.

This year, the below team of University of Northampton students impressed the panel of judges with a diverse range of concepts, spanning personal history, heritage, and the natural environment – and ultimately brought the Silver Salver award home:

• Ciaran Beeby
• Douglas Evans
• Niall Walker
• Carme Pastor Ribot

The award, engraved with the University’s name and held for one year, was formally presented at a prizegiving lunch at Plaisterers’ Hall in July 2026.

Connor King

Connor King, a final-year Graphic Design student at the University of Northampton has combined creativity, research and emerging technology in an ambitious final project which explores the impact of artificial intelligence on the design industry.

Connor King has been awarded a £500 bursary from the Cameron Day Charitable Trust which has funded the production of ‘AI and Us’, a 170-page publication examining how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping creative practice, and what the future may hold for designers.

Awarded in memory of Cameron Day, an extremely gifted graphic designer who passed away in 2021, the bursary is designed to support students who demonstrate dedication, commitment and a positive contribution to university life – which arrived at a crucial point in Connor’s final-year project.

Annie Nguyen

A final-year Illustration student at the University of Northampton has seen her artwork reach thousands of readers worldwide after securing a commission with a leading book subscription company – all before even stepping across the stage to graduate.

Originally from Düsseldorf, Germany, Annie Nguyen’s journey into professional publishing began with a University module that challenged students to work with external clients. What started as a speculative cover design for bestselling fantasy author Chloe Gong quickly snowballed into further opportunities, including a collaboration for OwlCrate‘s special edition release of Kayla Edwards’ urban fantasy novel, ‘City of Gods and Monsters.’

The project marked a significant milestone in Annie’s emerging career. Although she regularly shares her work online, seeing thousands of readers receive and celebrate her artwork was a completely different experience.

While the project formed part of a university assignment to secure an external collaboration, Annie has already received requests from other publishers and authors, and is excited to see her designs on more books moving forwards.

Isavella Kouvelis and Chen Si Hang

Students studying University of Northampton (UON) degrees at Raffles College of Higher Education in Singapore have been recognised on the international fashion stage after being featured in the September 2026 edition of Vogue Singapore.

Fashion Design graduate Isavella Kouvelis and Jewellery Design graduate Chen Si Hang, both enrolled on UON programmes delivered through Raffles Singapore, showcased their final collections in the prestigious publication.

Isavella’s collection, Light and Passion, explores the intersection of theatrical couture and contemporary fashion, combining corsetry, handcrafted fabrics and Swarovski crystals to create dramatic, light-responsive silhouettes inspired by showgirl aesthetics and historical fashion traditions.

Chen Si Hang’s collection, Sensoria, reimagines jewellery as a tool for wellbeing, incorporating rose quartz, sandalwood beads and innovative 3D-printed moving elements inspired by Zen principles and mindfulness.

The latest success highlights the growing impact of the UON’s partnership with Raffles College of Higher Education, which was formally established in 2025 and has already seen students secure industry awards, commercial opportunities and collaborations with leading brands across Singapore.

David Sikharulidze

One graduate from the University of Northampton has turned a deeply personal academic project into a groundbreaking startup, designing smart glasses that could improve independence for millions of visually impaired people.

After studying a postgraduate qualification at the University in 2021, David Sikharulidze was inspired by his own visual impairment of high myopia to focus his research on exploring assistive technology for blind and visually impaired users – an idea that quickly evolved beyond academia.

David put his learning into practice outside of the classroom and founded his company, Mavis Tech, which aims to develop wearable technology that can support visually impaired and blind individuals in daily tasks by providing accessible tools.

What began as a simple prototype has since developed into two fully working products, both designed and manufactured locally in Northampton – something rare in a sector often reliant on overseas production.

Based at Vulcan Works, David’s company has invested heavily in research and development, building an in-house manufacturing facility and working alongside engineers and student collaborators. The company is also helping to tackle a wider skills gap by engaging the University’s students in hands-on engineering experience.

The smart glasses use advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to describe surroundings in real time and identify obstacles, offering users greater independence and confidence in everyday life.

Katie Matthews

• Winner of the PGCE Initial Teacher Training Excellence in Professional Contribution Award

This year’s PGCE Prize recognises a trainee who has worked diligently and tirelessly throughout the course, consistently impressing her school based mentors and colleagues with her professionalism and commitment. Katie has also represented the views of her cohort with integrity and clarity in her role as student representative, ensuring their voices were heard and valued. Her dedication, resilience, and wholehearted engagement with every aspect of training mark her out as an exceptional emerging practitioner. We wish her every success as she begins what promises to be a truly impactful career in teaching.

Sarah-Louise Kemp

• Winner of the Denise Hevey Award

Sarah-Louise has been an advocate for children throughout her studies.  As well as committing herself to her studies and dealing with a busy personal life she has gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of young children and their families. She embodies what it means to be a graduate in the field of Early Childhood and is recognised for her continuing dedication to the field. We all wish Sarah the very best for her future.

Alfie Dean

• Winner of the Initial Teacher Training Award for the Most Impactful Dissertation

This prize is awarded for Alfie’s BA Primary Education dissertation entitled ‘The impact of schemes of work in Primary Education and their influence on teacher workload.’ It recognises an outstanding piece of research that addresses a highly relevant and pressing issue in primary education. By examining a challenge that senior leaders increasingly identify as central to teacher retention, Alfie demonstrated both academic rigour and a strong understanding of current educational priorities. His work not only highlighted key concerns facing the profession but also offered thoughtful, evidence-informed recommendations for future practice. This innovative study exemplifies research that has the potential to make a meaningful difference to schools, teachers, and pupils alike.

Caitlin Drury & Dylan Kanji-Skews

• Joint Winners of the Dedication & Professionalism Award in Sociology

Caitlin & Dylan are recognised for their consistent dedication not only to their studies but to Sociology as a discipline and to the sociology team. Both students have represented Sociology at open days and events with enthusiasm and professionalism. Highly focused and determined to learn, they have embraced every opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills while demonstrating impressive personal growth, self-awareness and commitment throughout their studies.

Lucy Gordon & Grace Parr

• Joint Winners of the Perseverance & Commitment Award in Sociology

Lucy and Grace are recognised for their exceptional commitment to developing their study skills and deepening their knowledge of Sociology. Through consistent application, determination and a willingness to improve, both have achieved outstanding academic results. Their success reflects not only their intellectual ability, but also their hard work, perseverance and unwavering commitment to achieving their full potential.

Elisha Hurley

• Winner of the Resilience, Determination & Intellectual Curiosity Award in Sociology

Elle is recognised for the remarkable journey that has led her to become an outstanding student and a truly impressive sociologist. Bringing a wealth of life experience and having overcome significant challenges, she has demonstrated resilience, determination and intellectual curiosity. Elle has found her niche and flourished, developing into a confident, insightful and thoughtful sociologist who will be a valuable asset to our society.

Elisha Gunasekara

• Winner of the Cyril E. Mills Prize for Best Project

This prize is awarded to Elisha for their project on ‘A CFD Investigation of Winglet Geometry for Induced Drag and Vortex Reduction in Low-Speed Subsonic Flight.’ The Cyril E. Mills Prize is named in memory of Cyril E. Mills, who combined both electrical and mechanical engineering and obtained his qualifications part time. Congratulations Elisha!

Douglas Evans

• Winner of a Materials Grant from the Leathersellers’ Company

Douglas was awarded materials funding from the Leathersellers’ Company, which he used to incorporate leather into his designs and accessories. The result was an impressive final collection, proudly showcased at the Northampton catwalk show in June.

Dominic Kerridge

• Winner of a Materials Award from the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers

Dominic specialising in footwear, was awarded materials funding from the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers. This support helped him source the materials needed to develop and complete his final footwear collection.

Niall Walker

• Winner of a Materials Grant from the Leathersellers’ Company

Niall was awarded materials funding from the Leathersellers’ Company in recognition of his creative pattern cutting work. He used the funding to design and create a stunning range of leather bag accessories that beautifully complemented his final menswear collection, which was showcased at the Northampton catwalk show in June.

Madalaine Caiger Brown

• Winner of the Dr Ken Sherwood Memorial Prize for Best Geography Dissertation

Maddy’s dissertation, ‘Returning to the classroom’, explored the spatial, emotional and academic impacts of post-COVID educational environments for secondary school pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Maddy’s research drew upon the experiences of pupils, parents and staff, and provided new insights into geographies of education. This prize is awarded in memory of Dr Ken Sherwood, former head of department for Geography. Congratulations Maddy

Kayla Roberts

• Winner of the Best Poster Award at the Health Sciences Dissertation Poster Conference

Kayla is recognised for producing an outstanding dissertation poster that demonstrated academic excellence, originality, and a strong engagement with an important social issue. Her project, ‘How Do Single Black Mothers Draw Upon Their Childhood Experiences of Single-Parent Families to Inform Their Parenting Approaches in England?’, explored the relationship between family experiences and parenting practices within an under-researched population. Through a well-presented and thought-provoking poster, Kayla effectively communicated the significance of her work. The Best Poster Award recognises her commitment to high-quality scholarship and her ability to translate complex research into an engaging visual format.

Rachel Rushbury

• Winner of the Best Poster Award at the Health Sciences Dissertation Poster Conference

Rachel is recognised for producing an exceptional dissertation poster that showcased academic rigour, and clear scientific communication. Her project, ‘Are Hypopressive Exercises Effective for Improving Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Postpartum Women Compared to Conventional Treatment? A Systematic Review’, addressed an important topic with direct relevance to women’s health and clinical practice. Through a professional and accessible presentation of her findings, Rachel demonstrated excellent analytical and communication skills. The Best Poster Award recognises her achievement in presenting high-quality research in a clear, informative, and engaging manner.

Aoife Morrin

• Winner of the Breda Gajsek Award for Outstanding Achievement in Nutrition Practice

This award for Outstanding Achievement in Nutrition Practice, presented in honour of Breda Gajsek, and is sponsored by Pharma Nord. It recognises a student whose dedication, professionalism and commitment to evidence-informed practice exemplify the qualities this award was established to celebrate. Alongside the responsibilities of raising a young son, Aoife consistently achieved outstanding academic standards and willingly served as student representative in support of her peers. In clinical practice, she demonstrated exceptional professionalism, compassion and clinical judgement, whilst navigating some particularly challenging client interactions. Her resilience, integrity and passion for nutritional therapy make her a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Khadija Ali & Eris Clarke

• Joint Winners of the BA English Dissertation Prize

Khadija and Eris both produced excellent final dissertations which demonstrated originality of thought, independent research and detailed engagement with primary and secondary materials. Both dissertations presented an insightful approach to their chosen texts and topics, developing a series of compelling arguments and reaching persuasive and informed conclusions. Khadija and Eris showed resilience and commitment during their year-long dissertation projects, producing work that demonstrated impressive intellectual engagement alongside sustained personal interest and enthusiasm, and both thoroughly deserve this award. Congratulations!

Alfie Foster

• Winner of the History Dissertation Prize

Alfie’s dissertation was entitled ‘From Reporting to Prosecution: Institutional Barriers facing Rape Victims in Liverpool, Glasgow, and Derry, 1970 to 1989.’ The markers praised its boldness in undertaking a very challenging topic, and concluded that it made a real and meaningful contribution to existing scholarship.  They also felt it suggested avenues for research and new ways of thinking about methodologies for future studies in this area. For the first marker, it was one of the best dissertations she had read in her 30-year academic career.