Staff from across the University were recognised at the Staff Awards 2019 ceremony, which took place at Liverpool World Museum.
Almost 300 staff attended the event with BBC Radio Merseyside presenter, Roger Phillips, revealing the winners.
The awards received a record number of just over 450 nominations across the institution.
Materials discovery
Winners included Dr Lucy Clark who received the Alan Beeston Early Career Researcher of the Year Award. Dr Clark was appointed in 2017 in the Materials Innovation Factory in the Department of Chemistry. She continues to excel in her research career by focusing on the discovery of new materials, in particular, developing a knowledge and understanding of the structure and properties of electronic and magnetic materials.
Dr Lucy Clark – Early Career Researcher of the Year
Lucy’s work in this field is increasingly gaining high-profile recognition, as evidenced by her 2019 publication in the world-leading journal, Nature Physics. In this work, she led an international team of researchers to uncover unusual properties of a new magnetic material using cutting-edge techniques. Much of Lucy’s work in materials discovery has innovated the practice of these methods.
Boosting Student Mental Health provision
Director of the division of Student Administration and Support, Dr Paula Harrison Woods, was awarded Inspirational Leader of the Year. Paula was nominated by colleagues for her genuine passion for student support, mental health and wellbeing. Paula has helped drive for a successful bid of £575k of Office for Students (OfS) funding to boost student mental health provision across Liverpool, a partnership bid driven by Paula’s commitment to sharing knowledge and best practice, and civic engagement.
Positive Impact on Research
The Research Systems Team from Computing Services Department were recognised for the Team Award for Innovation of the Year. They have revamped the Integrated Research and Information System (IRIS) tool, making a positive impact on both the work of the Research Support Office and the wider community at the University. The tool allows for the research-facing community to work better, smarter and faster and is an incredible help in decision-making at all levels when it comes to projects. The IRIS tool is used on a daily basis across Academic and Professional Services by hundreds of users and is the reference point for applications and awards.
Research Systems Team – Innovation of the Year
Unsung Hero of the Year
The final award of the Year for Unsung Hero was given to Rachel Kelly who is a Team Leader for Building Management and Cleaning Services. Numerous colleagues nominated Rachel for going above and beyond in her job. Not only does she perform her duties to a high degree but she does this with a constant smile. Fellow members of staff have noted how she goes out of her way to ensure everyone has a clean, tidy and pleasant working environment, which is crucial not only to get work done but for fellow colleagues’ wellbeing. Rachel makes sure that everyone in her building can get on with their work in a positive environment. When working in the Sherrington Building, Rachel was considered a friend and counsellor to everyone. Rachel is regarded as a figure of positivity, going out of her way to brighten people’s day. A true unsung hero.
Rachel Kelly – Unsung Hero of the Year
The 2019 Staff Awards Brochure from the evening is now available to view online.
Staff can also see the full gallery of images (available to view and download) by logging into Image Asset Bank and searching ‘Staff Awards 2019’.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Janet Beer said: “I’ve been really looking forward to this evening, as we celebrate and recognise the fantastic contributions of the people who make up our University. It’s an evening where we can reflect on the skills, innovations, hard work and dedication that contribute to the University’s success and impact.”
“As a University, we are privileged to have such talented, innovative and motivated staff, who make all the difference to our students, our research partners and other stakeholders globally and in the City of Liverpool.”
The full list of winners and those commended are below:
Sir Alastair Pilkington Awards
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Winner
The Restorative Dentistry Simulation Skills Team
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Winner
Dr Gemma Bird (Department of Politics)
Faculty of Science and Engineering Winner
Dr James lea (Department of Geography and Planning)
Apprentice of the Year – All Winners
Tailah Edwards Feenie (University of Liverpool Management School)
Luke Glascott (School of Environmental Sciences)
Hannah Melia (School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science)
Kane Murphy (Scholl of Physical Sciences)
Alan Beeston Early Career Researcher of the year
Winner – Dr Lucy Clark (Department of Chemistry)
Commended
Dr Seán Columb (Liverpool Law School)
Dr Hugo Lam (Operations and Supply Chain Management, University of Liverpool Management School)
Evans Memorial Professional Services Award
Individual category
Winner – Judith King (Student Recruitment, Widening Participation and Admissions)
Commended
Lorraine Evans (Institute of Translational Medicine)
Kimberley Norman (Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease)
Team category
Winner – Payment Security
Commended
Carnatic Halls of Residence Domestic Cleaning and Reception Team (Facilities, Residential and Commercial Services)
School PGR Administrator Network (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Innovation of the Year
Individual category
Joint winners
Dr Fabia Allen (School of Life Sciences)
Rob Treharne (School of Life Sciences)
Team category
Winner – Research Systems Team (Computing Services Department)
Commended
Graduate Document Portal Team (Computing Services Department)
Nightmares in a Bell Jar application project team (Museums and Galleries and the Computing Services Department)
David Ellams Award for Outstanding Contribution
Individual category
Winner – Sally Middleton (Human Resources)
Commended
Sandra Hughes (Building Management and Cleaning Services)
Dr Saneeya Qureshi (The Academy, Human Resources)
Emma Squibb (Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine)
Team category
Winner – Future Leaders Fellowships Support Team (Research, Partnerships and Innovation)
Commended
Making an Impact 2019 (The Academy, Human Resources)
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Award
Joint Winners
Dr Helen Jones (School of Histories, Languages and Cultures)
Safety Net Development Team (Institute of Integrative Biology)
Commended
Dr Kenneth Jones (School of Histories, Languages and Cultures)
The School of Physical Sciences Wellbeing Team
Inspirational Leader of the Year
Winner – Dr Paula Harrison Woods (Student Administration and Support)
Commended
Professor Debra Morris (School of Law and Social Justice)
Professor Liz Sheffield (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Professor Rachel Williams (Eye and Vision Science)
Research Impact of the Year
Joint Winners
Professor Eve Rosenhaft (School of Histories, Languages and Cultures)
Tandem Nano (Institute of Translational Medicine)
Commended
Dr Clare Downham (School of Histories, Languages and Cultures)
Professor Chris Probert (Institute of Translational Medicine)
Lecturer of the Year
Winner – Dr Stuart Wilks-Heeg (Department of Politics)
Commended
Dr Bradley Cheal (Department of Physics)
Professor Caroline Dart (Department of Biochemistry)
Partnership of the Year
Joint Winners
Johanna Bezzano (Liverpool Law School)
University of Liverpool and IBM Research (Institute for Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems)
Commended
HORN-Ethiopia (Epidemlology and Population Health)
University of Georgia – University of Liverpool Partnership (Cross-departmental)
Longstanding Partnership Award
Winner – MIF Partnership Team
Volunteer of the Year
Winner – Alison Fernandes (School of Histories, Languages and Cultures)
Commended
Darren Mooney (Policy, Equality and Engagement Team, Human Resources)
Mark Pountney (Centre for Educational Development)
Team FHLS Coniston Challenge (Faculty of Health and Life Sciences)
Outstanding Contribution to Public Engagement
Individual category
Winner – Professor Catherine Tackley (Department of Music)
Commended
Dr Joanne Meehan (Operations and Supply Chain Management, University of Liverpool Management School)
Dr Angela Midgeley (Department of Women’s and Children’s Health
Team category
Winner – Meet the Scientists Team (Faculty of Health and Life Sciences)
Commended
Experimental Arthritis Treatment Centre for Children – The Superhero Team in your Body (Department of Women’s and Children’s Health)
Zoolink (Epidemiology and Population Health)
Greatest Contribution to the Student Experience
Individual category
Winner – Dr David Jeffrey (Department of Politics)
Commended
Professor Lisa Anderson (Work, Organisation and Management, University of Liverpool Management School)
Dr Laura Gartshore (School of Dentistry)
Team category
Winner – School of Psychology, and Department of Psychological Sciences
Commended
The Application Development Team (Computing Services Department)
Faculty of Science and Engineering Careers and Employability Team (Careers and Employability)
Unsung Hero of the Year
Winner – Rachel Kelly (Building Management and Cleaning Services)
Commended
Justin Chiong (Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology)
Denise Prescott (Centre for Educational Development)