Vice-Chancellor’s Awards
The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards are a University-wide celebration of our outstanding people
We are delighted to announce the shortlist for the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2025.
There were 160 award entries across the 11 categories this year, with 1,300 individuals included in the nominations. They were assessed by stream judging panels made up of colleagues from across the central University, divisions, colleges and GLAM. The shortlists for each category can be found below. The winners and highly commended nominees will be announced at a special ceremony hosted by the Vice-Chancellor at the Sheldonian Theatre on Thursday 15 May.
Please join us in celebrating the success of our colleagues in our community who have demonstrated dedication, courage, ambition and a commitment to excellence in pursuit of Oxford’s core mission.
Everyone is invited to attend the Awards Showcase in Blackwell Hall in the Weston Library on Tuesday 13 May, where shortlisted nominees will have an opportunity to demonstrate and discuss their work. The showcase will be open to all staff as well as members of the public. Show your support for colleagues, network with new teams, and find out more about the award-winning projects.
This year’s Vice-Chancellor’s Awards nominations were an outstanding demonstration of our strength in teaching, research and innovation, and of the myriad ways in which people across the University are working together in support of our academic mission. I look forward to announcing the award winners and celebrating the nominees at the ceremony in May.
Professor Irene Tracey, CBE, FRS, FMedSci – Vice-Chancellor
2025 shortlist
Congratulations to all the teams and individuals nominated in the 2025 awards. Click on the award categories below to read the shortlist.
For colleagues who have worked to enhance Oxford’s high-quality education and student experience across the collegiate University:
1. Teaching and Learning Award
Recognising colleagues who have demonstrated a commitment to high-quality teaching and learning for Oxford’s students, in support of improved educational outcomes.
Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health: Preparing the next generation for outbreak preparedness and response
This IHTM MSc workshop, in partnership with ISARIC, WHO/GOARN, WOAH, and leading academic institutions, focuses on strengthening the global health emergency surge workforce. Designed to advance public health education, it equips the future health workforce with the critical skills needed for effective emergency preparedness and response. Drawing on years of field experience, a multi-disciplinary, international team led students through real-life scenarios and a simulation exercise in a supportive environment. Building on lessons learned from COVID-19, the multi sectoral teaching team – spanning public health, veterinary science, political science, and more – delivered an integrated approach to tackling global health crises.
Diversity in Death and Dying: medical student museum experience
This innovative teaching session removes medical students from hospitals and immerses them in the Ashmolean Museum. It deploys objects and images enabling them to interrogate aspects of end-of-life care. It invites them to reflect on the challenges presented by this unavoidable part of professional practice in a diverse cultural environment. The experience is a collaboration between the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of History, Ashmolean Museum and Faculty of Theology & Religion.
Equipping the next generation of Oxford leaders
The Oxford Saïd Entrepreneurship Centre equips students with essential entrepreneurial skills through diverse initiatives, including online platforms, training programmes, events, experiential learning and a student-led investment fund. With support from EnSpire and a number of external partners, its initiatives foster innovation, support venture creation and build robust networks, preparing students for success in the innovation economy.
Teaching negotiation skills for future public policy leaders
Working in public policy requires constant negotiation: with colleagues, government agencies, partner organisations, and the private sector. In this core module of the Blavatnik School of Government’s Master of Public Policy programme, Associate Professor Emily Jones equips students with negotiation concepts and practical tactics through innovative teaching approaches including case studies and simulations.
2. Innovative Teaching and Assessment Award
Recognising colleagues who have implemented new approaches to education at Oxford.
Astrophoria Foundation Year
The Astrophoria Foundation Year offers a year-long, fully-funded programme for UK state school students with severe personal disadvantage and/or a disrupted education. The design of the programme and working across the collegiate University cultivates students’ subject knowledge and supports academic skills development, as well as enhances students’ sense of belonging and self-confidence.
Building AI confidence across MSc programmes
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Academic Writing Skills induction provided Oxford postgraduate taught students with structured, practical training on ethical AI use in academic writing. This first-of-its-kind initiative integrated a ChatGPT tool into Canvas for equitable access. Evaluation showed increased student confidence, reduced uncertainty, and strong engagement with AI-supported academic skills development.
Empowering decision-making for first year undergraduates
Traditional laboratory work often stifles student engagement with its rigid 'recipe' format. The Chemistry Teaching Laboratory’s innovative curriculum fosters deeper learning by empowering students to make choices from their first term, enabling them to make informed decisions. Enhanced engagement and deeper understanding of the science leads to better preparation for employment.
Speaking up in the classroom and beyond
Research can often be labelled as abstract or theoretical by students. To bring research to life, Professor Michael Gill of the Saïd Business School developed interactive role-plays and video case studies of leaders discussing their struggles with helping employees to ‘speak up’ and how these issues can be solved through research insights.
3. Support for Students Award
Recognising colleagues who have supported students' development.
Inclusive, adaptive and transformative support for all students
Dr Debbie Aitken, Senior Departmental Lecturer in Medical Education, provides comprehensive academic and pastoral support to all students, fostering their wellbeing and success at Oxford. Through innovative mentoring, she tailors her approach to each student’s unique journey before, during and after university, empowering them to reach their full potential.
Micro-Internship Programme
The Career Service’s micro-internships are short voluntary learning and development opportunities exclusive to our students. Each internship gives them the opportunity to work on a specific project. The aim is to develop employability skills and build networks. Placements can be research-based or professional, with host organisations ranging from research labs to libraries.
Oxford Graduate Entry Medicine Mentoring Programme
The Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) Near-Peer Mentoring Scheme provides academic, career and pastoral support for first-year students. Near-peer junior doctor mentors, recruited from the Thames Valley region and Oxford GEM alumni, are trained to offer 1:1, confidential mentoring throughout the academic year, fostering both professional and personal development.
Shaping a new generation of value-driven leaders in global health
The MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine shapes tomorrow’s global health leaders to work across multidisciplinary teams in resource-constrained settings. The teaching team developed a Leadership, Management and Communication Training component, blending instructed, self-directed, and peer learning to create value-driven leaders with lifelong-learning competencies and the adaptability to navigate an increasingly challenging global health landscape.
For colleagues who have undertaken high-quality research and innovation:
4. Research Engagement Award
Recognising those who have enriched their research through engaging with those outside the University, for the benefits of wider society.
Advancing fairness in the digital economy
Fairwork is a global action research project based at the Oxford Internet Institute that assesses working conditions in the digital economy. Through rigorous research and stakeholder engagement with workers, policymakers and platforms, Fairwork sets labour standards, promotes ethical practices, and drives tangible improvements in working conditions worldwide.
BReal: Building stress resilience in early adolescents’ lives
BReal is an evidence-based schools resource for Year 7–9 students teaching stress resilience skills. Grounded in research from the Department of Psychiatry, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Department of Experimental Psychology, scientists worked with teachers and young people to co-develop a three-lesson personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) programme, teaching stress coping strategies to teenagers at a critical time of brain development underpinning mental health vulnerability.
Engaging stakeholders to build a Kenyan learning health system
An Oxford-Kenya, multi-disciplinary team shared a vision to create a learning health system. They worked with national and local governments, professional associations and regulators, practitioners and patient groups to conduct research and simultaneously improve care reaching 24 hospitals and over 650,000 inpatients; unique efforts recognised by World Bank and others.
Improving the lives of disadvantaged children in Peru
Young Lives is a longitudinal study of poverty in the Global South. Partnering locally and internationally, it delivers innovative research engagement to enable policy impact. Recent engagement with non-academic stakeholders in Peru has informed congressional debates on children’s right to a basic education and legislative change to prohibit child marriage.
Uncovering Oxfordshire’s ‘dinosaur highway’
After an Oxfordshire quarry worker stumbled upon dinosaur footprints, Oxford University Museum of Natural History sprang into action, spearheading an intense seven-day excavation. This uncovered the world’s fifth longest dinosaur trackway, with 200 footprints meticulously documented for research. Through global media outreach, events, and exhibitions, public excitement was sparked worldwide.
5. Innovation and Commercialisation Award
Recognising individuals or teams undertaking research-led innovation or commercialisation.
Oxford Semantic Technologies
Oxford Semantic Technologies is an Oxford spin-out company specialising in knowledge graph technologies. It was established in 2017 by three professors from the Department of Computer Science. Building on research prototypes, the company has developed cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The company was recently acquired by Samsung, who are using its technologies on their smartphones and other devices.
OxValue: affordable technology valuation
OxValue.AI provides an artificial intelligence (AI)-based, accessible, affordable, objective and accurate technology valuation tool and allows investors, businesses and the governments to better value, assess and acquire technologies. It has market potential, economic benefits and social impacts by supporting small businesses, innovators and small investors and facilitating technology transfer.
The discovery and development of neurodegeneration drug Aqneursa
The team at the Department of Pharmacology have pioneered a novel drug therapy for the treatment of a rare neurodegenerative disease, taking the drug from proof-of-concept and mechanistic studies, through to the creation of a start-up company, IntraBio, culminating in the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the drug Aqneursa in September 2024.
6. Research Culture Award
Recognising those who have contributed to a positive, inclusive and equitable research culture.
Careers Advisers for Research Staff
The Careers Advisers for Research Staff team at the Careers Services deliver 30 1:1 appointments each week, careers workshops including for disadvantaged groups, an annual careers conference, and more. Since 2022, the ‘CareerConnect’ platform has seen careers engagement rise from only 18% to 53% of researchers registered.
Cross-university Narrative CV support team: recognising diverse contributions
Research funders have introduced a new CV format, called a Narrative CV (NCV), aiming to recognise a broader range of contributions to research, beyond lists of publications. A cross-institutional project team created a suite of training and guidance to help researchers write their NCVs, supporting careers and encouraging culture change.
Embedding positive research culture through Ambassador Programmes
Designed to embed positive research culture in its centre and beyond, the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging’s annual Ambassador Programmes have provided training, support, and recognition for students and staff since 2017. Initially focused on public engagement, the programme has expanded to include open science and EDI and is now running across several other departments.
Pioneering a new approach to mentoring future researchers
Dr Emma Soneson and Dr Galit Geulayov at the Department of Psychiatry have shown exceptional commitment to supporting students through their leadership in the inaugural NIHR Undergraduate Internship Programme. From crafting three impactful projects, to giving personalised feedback to 429 applicants and providing mentorship that ‘surpassed any expectation completely’, these two have thoughtfully nurtured the next generation of researchers.
TORCH Medical Humanities Research Hub
The Oxford Centre for the Humanities (TORCH)’s Medical Humanities Research Hub (MedHum) supports the Humanities Division and social science based research on health and medicine. It highlights the contribution of the humanities to a proper understanding of health, disease, and medicine. MedHum challenges the assumption that cutting-edge medical research and innovation in healthcare are solely the domain of physicians and laboratories.
7. Breakthrough Researcher Award
Recognises researchers at the early stages of their careers who have made a significant impact at the University.
Dr Joshua Bull, Mathematical Institute
Dr Joshua Bull’s research has pioneered innovative mathematical and statistical approaches to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in biology and medicine: analysing large spatially resolved data. His work has led to significant contributions to research across multiple departments in the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences and Medical Sciences Divisions.
Dr Becky Im, Nuffield Department of Population Health
Dr Becky Im has developed a major programme of research into the health effects of alcohol consumption, and is committed to engaging the public and policy makers to improve public health. She has led initiatives to promote an inclusive research environment, and to support professional development, among students and researchers.
Dr Catherine Jenkinson, Faculty of History
As the postdoctoral researcher on ‘(Hi)stories of Violence: Myth-making, Imprisonment and the Cultural Identity of the Tower of London’ between the Humanities Division, Historic Royal Palaces and the Royal Armouries, Dr Catherine Jenkinson has provided an outstanding model of cross-sector, collaborative working to achieve significant impact at the University and beyond.
Dr Sara Ratner, Department of Education
Dr Sara Ratner is a Research Officer in the Department of Education who has made a significant impact across the University (and globally). At Sara’s initiative, the AI in Education at Oxford University (AIEOU) Interdisciplinary Research Hub was established attracting more than 700 collaborators from around the world in its first month.
Dr Maxime Taquet, Department of Psychiatry
Dr Maxime Taquet has led research leveraging electronic health records to answer important questions in brain health, from demonstrating the dementia-reducing effects of the shingles vaccine to uncovering the potential of GLP-1 drugs (such as Ozempic) in addressing memory issues and addiction. He has also mentored others in advancing this innovative work.
For colleagues who have demonstrated excellence in supporting and furthering our academic mission:
8. Local Community Engagement Award
Recognising those who have worked to make a positive different to the lives of individuals and communities in Oxfordshire.
Cultural Democracy: The Leys Festival 2024
Oxford University Cultural Programme collaborated with over 60 members of the Leys community to co-create The Leys Festival. The festival took place in Blackbird Leys Park in July 2024 with over 4,000 people in attendance. The theme of the festival was ‘One people, One place: Building Bridges’. A short summary film is available to watch: Leys Festival, Oxford | 2024.
Discover & Create: mental health support for young people
Discover & Create is a programme delivered by the Gardens, Libraries & Museums (GLAM) Community Engagement team in partnership with Response, a local charity that supports young people with mental health challenges. It provides creative opportunities in a supported social and cultural environment, with integrated mental health support, fostering a holistic approach to young people’s wellbeing.
Oxford Young Sport Leaders Programme
The Oxford Young Sport Leaders Programme (OYSLP), run by the Oxford SDG Impact Lab, connects local schools with the University through sport and education. Featuring inclusive sports, workshops led by academics, access to University facilities, and mentoring by University students, OYSLP fosters belonging, develops skills, and builds bridges between the University and local communities.
Trinity College: Outreach and access in Oxfordshire
Trinity College has special responsibility for outreach in Oxfordshire under the University’s regional outreach strategy. Since 2018, the Access Team at Trinity has developed a comprehensive outreach programme involving teachers, students and parents, which engages children from primary school age upwards.
9. Making a Difference Globally Award
Recognising colleagues who have made a difference to the lives of those outside the UK through University resources, expertise or insights.
Advancing global poverty eradication using a multidimensional approach
The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI)’s pioneering work using a Multidimensional Poverty Index significantly contributed to tracking and advancing global goals on poverty eradication, particularly in developing nations. By strategically expanding its transnational network of partners, OPHI increased capacity and empowered local and global leaders to step up poverty reduction efforts for marginalised communities.
Building sustainable paediatric surgical capacity
Professor Kokila Lakhoo at the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences has led a two-decade collaboration to develop sustainable paediatric surgical services in Tanzania. This work in capacity building, infrastructure development, training, and research has ensured thousands of children now receive life-saving surgical care locally, creating a replicable model for healthcare capacity building globally.
Helping to end the death penalty in Africa
Professor Carolyn Hoyle and Daniel Cullen at the Oxford Centre for Criminology and colleagues at the Death Penalty Project are dedicated to justice and human rights across Africa. Over a decade, the nominees have established transnational collaborative networks to realise the potential of research, advocacy, legal strategy and engagement to secure abolition in Zimbabwe, Ghana and Sierra Leone, making a difference to those at risk of execution.
The Maasai Living Cultures Project
A collaborative project between the Maasai community and Pitt Rivers Museum, aimed at building trust and addressing concerns about the portrayal of Maasai culture in museums. It aims to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration between both parties and build relationships based on respect, trust and deeper understanding.
10. Supporting our Mission Award
Recognising colleagues who have made a difference to how we deliver our core mission – with a particular focus on underpinning services.
Digitalising the Chancellor's election
This cross-department collaboration between the Development and Alumni Engagement team and Student Registry repurposed and enhanced existing data and systems to create a new online voter registration and eligibility verification process for the Chancellor's election. Their work to modernise election operations opened up participation to our global community and provided a blueprint for more inclusive participation in future.
Finance Community: collaborating, learning, and sharing best practice
The University’s Finance Community connects finance professionals and operational staff across departments, divisions and the central teams. It shares best practice, supports career development, makes processes work more efficiently and effectively, and champions continuous improvement in finance services throughout the University in line with the principles of Professional Services Together.
MyOxford student app
MyOxford is an app transforming the student experience. The team worked to consolidate over 500 systems and resources across the collegiate University into a single portal, offering seamless access to the services that students need. It simplifies the navigation of a fragmented institutional landscape, enhancing student equality and accessibility.
Operationalising GLAM's carbon footprint data
GLAM (Gardens, Libraries, and Museums) has developed a comprehensive data model to capture and automatically calculate its carbon footprint across all three carbon scopes (including utilities, purchasing, travel, waste). By automating the process of collecting and calculating its carbon emission, the model allows the team to track its progress and ensure it remains on target.
Supporting a ‘One Team’ culture at the Nuffield Department of Medicine
Working as a cohesive group, the NDM One Team Champions have implemented activities to build a culture that recognises the importance of inclusive collaboration, instils a sense of community and is supportive to improve efficiency of processes and the wellbeing of its professional services staff.
Working across traditional boundaries - the Oxford Cancer team
The Oxford Cancer team supports an inclusive approach to cancer research and infrastructure that brings Oxford’s academic strengths to bear on challenge focussed team science. They have brought together multiple groups across the University and partner institutions in a network that has driven significant progress in cancer research and education.
11. Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award
Recognising colleagues who role model equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) through their work, and have made a difference to EDI at Oxford.
Department of Psychiatry Race Equality Working Group
Within the Department of Psychiatry, the Race Equality Working Group have led multiple initiatives to improve equity and inclusion for racialised staff and students, and a Race and Psychiatry Journal Club to promote academic discussion on issues of race and ethnicity in psychiatric research.
Developing a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion
Professor Siân Grønlie of St Anne’s College and the Faculty of English’s outstanding EDI work has a clear purpose and rationale: to enable all students to do well and feel that they belong, and to encourage staff in the college and University to do the same. Siân doesn’t just talk about EDI; she takes action and leads by example.
Economics of Diversity Series
Recognising that economics provides a powerful lens for understanding societal structures, the Oxford University Business Economics Programme team at the Department of Economics launched the Economics of Diversity series in 2020 to drive informed, evidence-based discussions on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Inclusive leadership and inspiring EDI commitment
Professor Matt Jarvis was nominated for exemplifying inclusive leadership above and beyond his work as supervisor and mentor, researcher, and Associate Head for People in the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division (MPLS). His compassionate empowerment of and powerful advocacy for minoritised and marginalised groups demonstrates rigour, indefatigability, and community-wide impact on culture change.
Inclusive recruitment and training for Ashmolean Visitor Experience Assistants
By implementing inclusive recruitment practices and holistic training for its Visitor Experience Assistants (VEAs), the Ashmolean team increased diversity and equity, while improving the experience of its visitors. Its VEAs better represent the wider community, are continuously upskilled and better connected to the museum, the University, and Oxford.
Mansfield College: Widening student access and outreach
Mansfield College’s Academic Office team is nominated for their pioneering work on Access and Outreach. Their work has enabled the college to surpass the targets set in the University’s Access and Participation Plan, increasing the proportion of successful applicants to Oxford from underrepresented groups.
Offered to a colleague or team that has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to supporting the University’s mission. The Vice-Chancellor will announce the Award for Outstanding Contribution at the Awards Ceremony on Thursday 15 May 2025.
Eligibility and judging criteria
Nominations closed on 3 February 2025. All those making a nomination will be notified about whether they have been shortlisted in March 2025. All nominations must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the awards:
Nominators
- The individual making a nomination must be a member of staff at the University of Oxford or one of its colleges.
Nominees
- Nominated staff must be current employees of the University of Oxford, or one of its colleges, at any career stage, and be contracted to be in post up to and including 15 May 2025.
- Nominees can include:
- staff (including researchers, academics, teaching staff, administrative, technical and professional services staff, research facilitators and curators)
- postgraduate research students (where working on a shared project alongside a wider group of staff)
- individuals from partner organisations from outside the University (as part of a team including Oxford staff).
- There is no limit to the number of individuals that can be nominated in one team. However, all entrants must be named individually (rather than team or department names).
- Due to space constraints, the number of individuals named on awards communications and invited to the awards ceremony may need to be limited.
- In most categories, colleagues can nominate themselves or others (nominees need to agree to being nominated before a nomination is submitted). However, certain categories are not eligible for self-nominations. Please refer to detailed guidance and criteria for information.
- Colleagues can make nominations for individuals or groups.
- You must declare any personal (non-professional) relationships you have with any of the individuals that you nominate. Refer to guidance below for more information.
Projects and activities
- Projects and activities referenced in nominations must have taken place from July 2023. The activities or projects can have started before this date; however, work needs to have continued past this date to be eligible.
- The activities or projects can be complete or ongoing.
- Colleagues can enter as many categories as they want for different projects and activities.
- However, you cannot put forward the same project/activity for multiple awards (nominations for different categories must be for different activities).
If you are unsure which category to enter, please carefully review the award-specific descriptions and criteria, as well as information about how to enter.
For projects or activities that have previously entered the University of Oxford Vice-Chancellor’s Awards
- Those that were previously selected as winners or Highly Commended, will not be eligible for this year’s awards (unless significant progress has been made since the last award).
- Those that were not previously selected as winners or Highly Commended will be eligible for the awards this year (although you are encouraged to demonstrate that additional progress has been made and to provide further evidence against the selection criteria).
Other
- Incomplete entries, and those that exceed given nomination word counts, will not be considered.
- Nominations closed at noon on Monday 3 February . Late entries will not be considered.
- If you are not sure whether your nomination meets the eligibility criteria, please contact the Vice-Chancellor's Awards team on vcawards@admin.ox.ac.uk.
- Nominations may be moved to different categories after submission, where it is felt that the project or activity aligns more closely with the criteria in another award.
Disclosing personal relationships
Everyone making a nomination will be asked to disclose whether any of the nominees is a member of their immediate family, or if they have a close personal relationship with them – in line with University guidance on this matter. It is possible to make nominations in these instances, so long as the relationships are disclosed.
Recognising everyone’s contribution
When making nominations, colleagues are encouraged to carefully consider the input of everyone who has contributed to the project or activity across a range of roles and seniorities. In particular, they are asked to consider members of their team who have reduced working hours due to family or caring commitments, or are on maternity leave or on leave due to ill-health.
Judging criteria for all awards
The following criteria will be used across all Vice-Chancellor’s Awards:
- Value and significance
- Purpose: the project or activity has a clear purpose and rationale behind its approach/choice of partner(s)/audience(s) related to the category.
- Significance: it is possible to demonstrate the difference the project or activity has made to relevant individuals or groups and why the difference made is important. (NB: the project’s scale will not be a factor when considering significance).
- Evaluation and learning: the project or activity was evaluated, and learnings made from it for the future.
- Individual and team performance
The colleagues and partners involved have demonstrated commitment and dedication, leading to positive outcomes which are appropriate to their career stage and position in the organisation of the individuals.
Supporting our culture
Nominees in all categories will also be invited to provide information about how the work or project aligns with the following critical activities that shape the University’s culture now and in the future.
- Diversity and inclusion: the project or activity contributes towards creating a more inclusive culture at Oxford in line with the EDI Strategic Plan.
- Sustainability: The project or activity contributes towards increasing the University’s environmental sustainability strategy.
- Safety: the project or activity contributes to a communal safety culture in lines with the goals and values of the EveryDaySafe programme.
While nominations will not be formally scored on these areas, they will be taken into account when considering the overall effectiveness of nominations and making ranking decisions.
Award-specific criteria and guidance
Excellence in education and student support
- Teaching and Learning Award: will be awarded to colleagues who have demonstrated an ability to provide high-quality teaching and learning with a focus on improving educational outcomes for students. Nominations will be considered for those working with students at all levels, from undergraduate to doctoral supervision.
- Innovative Teaching and Assessment Award: will be awarded to colleagues who have implemented new approaches to education at Oxford. For example:
- those who have created new digital resources to support student learning, using digital tools to provide unique learning experiences for students, (re)designed a programme/course that maximise the affordances of online and/or blended delivery, embedded student-staff partnerships within the teaching and assessment
- activities that make teaching more inclusive for different groups of students. For example, this could include teams that have diversified assessments to support a more inclusive learning environment for students, diversified the curriculum, or made greater use of digital tools to support learners.
- Support for Students Award: will be awarded to colleagues who have contributed to and supported students' development. You might be based in colleges, departments or professional services and provide support to students while they are studying at Oxford. You will have developed academic and/or pastoral support for student welfare, wellbeing or academic support. For example, projects might be concerned with careers, sports, languages, counselling or academic skills development or support the needs of specific student groups.
Award-specific criteria for awards 1–3:
- Colleague nominations only: nominations in this category must be from another member of staff. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
- Evidence of collaboration: while individuals may be nominated, all nominees must demonstrate excellence in their collaborative approach and of working with staff and students.
- Evidence of educational outcomes: nominations must include evidence of how educational and student support approaches have had a positive impact on outcomes and learning experiences for students.
Excellence in Research and Innovation
- Research Engagement Award: will be awarded to individuals or teams that have made a positive difference to society, researchers and research through engaging with those outside the University, including businesses, policymakers, public and community groups and others.
Please note this category is for activities related to research. Engagement activities that are not predominately related to research should be nominated for the Community Partnership Award.
- Innovation and Commercialisation Award: will be awarded to individuals or teams who have undertaken impactful research-led innovation, which may take many forms, including: the creation of new products, tools or services; enabling change in business practice or policymaking; entrepreneurial activity; social enterprise or other forms of commercialisation.
Award-specific criteria for awards 4 and 5
- Links to research: a clear link must be shown between research and the project or activities to its outcomes. It may also reference the activities that have enabled researchers to engage the target audience(s) with their own research. Entries should also consider the ways in which the research benefited from the engagement or innovation process.
- Researcher involvement: at least one academic or researcher from the University of Oxford must be included in the project team. The nomination recognises team members and contributors involved in the project There should be evidence of equitable collaboration where applicable and transparent recognition of team members at all levels. This may include research students, professional services, technical and support staff and external contributors (eg industrial research partners).
- Research Culture Award: will be awarded to those who have contributed to a positive, inclusive and equitable research culture through actions to support careers, improve research practice and value different contributions to research. It is open to staff engaged in all aspects of research, including academics, researchers, technicians, support staff, etc.
Award-specific criteria for award 6
- Alignment with research culture values: nominations must demonstrate commitment to research culture values that support inclusivity and equitable practices and partnerships.
- Alignment with the University’s research culture priorities: nominations should clearly demonstrate how the project or activities align with Oxford’s institutional priorities in research culture: support careers, improve research practice and value different contributions to research. It may also reference activities by the nominee(s) to support their team, department, discipline, etc.
Note on evaluation and learning: evidence may be presented in the form of a reflective narrative, testimonials from colleagues/stakeholders/beneficiaries, as well as evaluation design plans and methodology where relevant and available.
- Breakthrough Researcher Award: this award recognises researchers at the early stages of their careers who have made a significant impact at the University. It is for early-career researchers who have shown leadership at the University and beyond. It recognises those who have successfully implemented innovative approaches to enhancing research quality, for example by promoting collaboration, research practices, user engagement or professional development, either directly or through structures such as institutional or sector committees or networks.
Award-specific criteria for award 7
- Work included in the nomination must have taken place at the University of Oxford or one of its colleges.
- Colleague nominations only: nominations in this category must be from another member of staff. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
- Nominees must be within ten years of graduating from their doctorate (excluding any career breaks or leave for care, maternity or similar reasons). Please include your date of graduation (and details of any career breaks) in your nomination
- Nominees must be on a non-permanent contract based at the University or one of its colleges.
- We particularly welcome applications from postdoctoral researchers and junior research fellows, or equivalent. We would not usually expect nominations for Faculty Staff or Associate Professors.
Excellence across Oxford
- Local Community Engagement Award: will be awarded to colleagues who have worked to make a positive difference to the lives of individuals and communities in Oxfordshire. Examples might include projects and activities designed to increase educational and employment opportunities for young people, increase access to Oxford’s facilities and resources, or support communities through policy development and capacity building. Activities in this category must relate to communities in Oxfordshire. Activities in areas just outside Oxfordshire (particularly those that are very close to Oxford) may also be considered.
Please note that this category is for projects and activities that are not predominately related to Oxford research. Research-related engagement activities should be nominated for the Research Engagement Award .
- Making a Difference Globally Award: will be awarded to colleagues who have made a difference to the lives of those around the world through University resources, expertise or insights. This might include shaping global public policy, capacity building, supporting equitable access to opportunities for under-served communities, and building transnational networks and coalitions that make a difference to people's lives.
Please note that this category is for projects and activities that are not predominately related to Oxford research. Research-related engagement activities should be nominated for the Research Engagement Award.
- Supporting Our Mission Award: Will be awarded to teams or individuals who have transformed and improved high-quality services that support (directly or indirectly) teaching, learning and research. Nominations are particularly encouraged for projects or activities that either:
- help the University reimagine its culture, processes and technology in the digital era, in line with the ambitions of our digital transformation, or
- demonstrate evidence of adopting Professional Services Together principles of People, Quality and Collaboration.
Award-specific criterion for awards 8–10
- Must demonstrate evidence of making a significant enhancement or improvement to how the University delivers and manages its services (simply doing a good job in an existing role would not usually make a nomination eligible).
- Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award: recognising colleagues who role-model EDI through their work, and have made a difference to EDI at Oxford – either in their part of the institution or across the University. Will be awarded to colleagues who have:
- taken an inclusive approach to working with others and contributed to creating an environment in which everyone feels that they belong and can thrive
- influenced positive change within their department, faculty, college or the wider University
- promoted awareness and understanding of equality and diversity issues among the University community or the wider community through outreach and public engagement.
Award-specific criterion for award 11
- Must demonstrate evidence of inclusive practices and approaches through their work.
Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution
This will be awarded to any nomination, selected by the Vice-Chancellor, where it is felt that a colleague or team has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to supporting the University’s mission. Nominations from all categories will be considered for this award. It is not possible to apply for it directly.
Awards ceremony and showcase
Winning and highly commended entries will be recognised at the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards ceremony and reception on Thursday 15 May 2025.
Alongside the Awards Ceremony, there will be a showcase of award entries in Blackwell Hall in the Weston Library on Tuesday 13 May 2025, where shortlisted nominees will have an opportunity to demonstrate and discuss their work. The showcase will be open to all staff as well as members of the public.
Photography and videography
Shortlisted nominees will be invited to attend a photoshoot on Thursday 20 or Friday 21 March 2025, to enable us to capture high-quality photos to represent and celebrate their nomination. Please save the date. There is no pressure to attend the photoshoot or be visually represented.
The University will use and share the images in online posts, University social media, ceremony visuals, event branding, publications and reports, for the purpose of sharing and celebrating the success of the VC Awards 2025.
For further guidance please read the Legitimate Interest Assessment for the VC Awards.
2024 winners
Congratulations to all the teams and individuals nominated in the 2024 awards last year. Click on the award names below to find out about the winners and highly commended nominations.
As part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2024 Showcase event, a series of ‘flash talks’ took place, in which some shortlisted teams gave short presentations on the work they were nominated for. You can watch recordings of the talks that took place by clicking on the links below. Each talk is 10 minutes. You will be asked to login to Panopto Replay Lecture Capture using your Oxford Single Sign On (SSO).
Recognising groups of colleagues who have supported students' development.
Winner:
Heritage Pathways: supporting student development through training and sector engagement – Humanities Division
Since 2015, The Humanities Division’s Heritage Partnerships Team has been developing an extensive training and development programme for students and early career researchers to provide the skills, knowledge and confidence to engage effectively with external heritage partners in what is a notoriously competitive sector. Through a range of training opportunities internships, doctoral placements the programme encourages participants to understand their research in a wider context and gain valuable professional experience.
Highly commended:
Promoting a 'value added' culture in an undergraduate programme – Regent's Park College
The Regent’s College History cohort is consistently over 90% state school, and with over half of its students coming from backgrounds flagged with widening participation characteristics. Over the last five years 47% of its historians have gained Firsts in their finals. The college has achieved this through a holistic approach to education, centring welfare, academic enrichment classes which go beyond the standard curriculum, and a culture which emphasises inclusivity and collective support as well as individual ambition and independent thinking.
Finalists:
- Hertford Library: the heart of student support – Hertford College
- Oxford SDG Impact Lab – Oxford Department of International Development
- Somerville Skills Hub: delivering academic, wellbeing and careers support – Somerville College
- Supporting disabled student inclusion through creation of accessible resources – Accessible Resources Unit, Bodleian Libraries
- Tailored Sold Support Pathway and Student Support Plans – Student Welfare and Support Services, and Centre for Teaching and Learning
Recognising groups of colleagues who have implemented new approaches to education at Oxford.
Winner:
North Korea Crisis Simulation, Master of Public Policy (MPP) – Blavatnik School of Government
The Blavatnik School’s students must be prepared to make high-stakes decisions in difficult circumstances, and the North Korea Crisis Simulation is a course that prepares them for this. In June 2023, 48 Master of Public Policy students worked intensively to navigate a complex economic, political, and military scenario in the North Korea Crisis Simulation. By combining structural features of a ‘war-game’, which is then conducted under time-pressure, students have not just an immersive learning experience, but experience a level of agency which is otherwise unachievable in a conventional teaching context.
Highly Commended:
A comprehensive self-directed online course in statistics for everyone – Nuffield Department of Population Health
Developed by a team of staff and students across the Medical Sciences Division, this fully online and self-directed statistics course increases capacity for statistical training. Fundamentals of Statistical Software and Analysis provides self-directed learning materials, including over 65 videos that span over 40 different statistical techniques, all available in R, SPSS or Stata. Within a week of opening there were over 60 students registered, with over 350 registrations a year later. Alumni leaving Oxford have since asked to translate the course into other languages to use on other continents.
Finalists:
Recognising groups of colleagues who have adopted approaches that make teaching more inclusive for different groups of students.
Winner:
Digital Synergy: Unleashing dynamic and inclusive anatomy education – Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG)
The Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics team created a diverse range of teaching initiatives using immersive technologies to support their students. This included virtual reality and digital resources such as 3D software tools, touch screen devices, and H5P-based Canvas materials - all aiming to enhance students’ learning by reducing barriers that could hinder their engagement in anatomy learning. Student feedback has been incredibly positive, and the nomination outlined the collaborative team working practices across various skills and knowledge from different departments and alignment with the university's Digitally Supported Inclusive Teaching Toolkit.
Highly commended:
Training conservation scientists and practitioners from around the world – Department of Biology
The Post Graduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice run by the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit aims to train conservation biologists and practitioners from the Global South and furbish them with useful skills and cutting-edge techniques. The team brings colleagues from these regions to train and learn in Oxford, enabling them to make an impact in their home regions. They focus on the most talented and least privileged applicants, who would not normally have the opportunity to attend a world-class university.
Diversifying the curriculum in Biblical Studies at Oxford – Faculty of Theology and Religion
A new paper in New Testament studies, first offered in 2021 and provocatively entitled ‘Why Women, the Environment, Colonisation, and Black Lives Matter to New Testament Interpretation’ invites students to think critically and carefully about how perspectives and approaches can determine our interpretation of a biblical text. The teaching team at the Faculty of Theology and Religion diversified the curriculum, by intentionally including scholars and teaching approaches in the classes. The class format also enables students with diverse learning needs, especially students with Student Support Plans.
Finalist:
Recognising those who have enriched their research through engaging with those outside the University, for the benefits of wider society.
Winner:
REACH: improving water security for vulnerable people in Africa and Asia – School of Geography and the Environment
Since 2015, Oxford has led a global programme of research with partners in governments, universities, civil society organisations and UNICEF to improve water security for 10 million poor people by 2024. Through respectful and inclusive partnerships, major advances have been achieved in delivering safe and reliable drinking water for communities, health clinics and schools, understanding and responding to floods and droughts in East Africa and Bangladesh, and addressing river water pollution in Ethiopia.
Highly commended:
Influencing the design and implementation of biodiversity net gain in England – Department of Biology
Producing guidance for local authorities and engaging with them extensively; presenting to private committees in Parliament; and working with businesses, people experiencing new housing developments and farmers to put research in to practice - the team from the Department of Biology have informed the public and influenced the policy development at both national and local levels for one of the world’s most innovative new ecological policies, Biodiversity Net Gain in England.
‘Your Amazing Brain’: A university and regional museum partnership – Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging and Banbury Museum
‘Your Amazing Brain: A User’s Guide’ is a multi-year collaboration between the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging and Banbury Museum, culminating in a family friendly neuroscience exhibition and accompanying events programme that travelled to Discover Bucks Museum in Aylesbury and is on long-term loan to the Rumble Museum at Cheney School.
Finalists:
- Building sustainable relationships with local Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities – Department of Psychiatry
- Collecting COVID Project: Public and community engagement with research – History of Science Museum and Bodleian Libraries
- Funder co-ordination for clinical trial pandemic preparedness policies – Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness Research & Policy Team, Pandemic Sciences Institute
- Sensing volcanoes: public and community engagement with volcanic risk – Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford; University of East Anglia; University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre and the Montserrat Volcano Observatory
Recognising individuals or teams undertaking research-led innovation or commercialisation.
Winner:
The R21/Matrix-M Malaria vaccine clinical development programme – Nuffield Department of Medicine
The R21/Matrix-M Malaria vaccine is the first example, that we are aware of, where a vaccine has been directly licensed by a university to a large-scale manufacturer (rather than a spinout, a biotech or pharma company). The Nuffield Department of Medicine’s R21/Matrix-M Malaria Vaccine Clinical Development Programme’s success provides a superb example of innovation and strategic commercial partnering for large scale manufacture and impact with the University leading the clinical development, providing a new high efficacy low-cost product for saving the lives of millions of African children and supporting eventual malaria eradication.
Highly commended:
Refeyn – Development and commercialisation of mass photometry: single molecule mass measurement
Refeyn is a spinout from the Department of Chemistry based on a completely novel approach for weighing molecules using light scattering which emerged from more than a decade of fundamental research in ultrasensitive light microscopy and mass measurement workflows for biomolecules. It has raised close to $100M, employs 180 worldwide, and has sold 250 instruments with more than 100 papers published annually that leverage the technology.
The global dissemination of effective psychological treatments – Department of Psychiatry
Disseminating psychological treatments is not straightforward as they require well-trained therapists to deliver them. The team from the Department of Psychiatry have developed digital training, freely available to eligible therapists worldwide, and digital treatment through app-based cognitive behavioural therapy which is being piloted in the NHS.
Finalists:
Recognising those who have contributed to a positive, inclusive, and equitable research culture.
Winner:
Improving research culture in the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), Oxford, and in the UK – Anjali Shah
Anjali Shah has advocated for and represented Research Staff and helped to introduce policies to support researchers locally in the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, and the wider University, as well as at the national level with the UK Research Staff Association and the Wellcome Trust. She has been involved with the Researcher Development Concordat, the Reimagining Research Culture project and chaired the Oxford Research Staff Society.
Highly commended:
‘The Hitchhiker’s guide to a Happier Lab’ – Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging
A Lab Handbook is a document outlining a team’s ethos: its culture, expectations, and opportunities to provide all members with a consistent message on how the team operates. Building on their own experience the team at the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging created open writing resources and material to communicate the concept to a global research audience.
Developing an Ethical Fieldwork Code of Conduct for Oxford University – School of Geography and the Environment
Driven by anti-racist activism by a collective of graduate students in the School of Geography and the Environment the Ethical Fieldwork Code of Conduct provides a framework for helping fieldworkers across disciplines, methods, country context, and career stages improve equity in their fieldwork processes.
Finalists:
- Growing an inclusive research team at the Pitt Rivers Museum
- Hope into Action: Social Sciences Impact Conference 2023 – Research Impact and Engagement Team, Social Sciences Division
- X-NET: Removing barriers for collaborative & inclusive interdisciplinary research – Oxford University (Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine and the Kavli Institute); University of Edinburgh; University of Aberdeen; University of Dundee
Recognising colleagues who have partnered with others to make a positive difference locally, nationally or globally.
Winners:
Inclusive programming for adults with learning disabilities in the University of Oxford’s Gardens, Libraries, and Museums (GLAM)
Adults with Learning Disabilities are some of the most vulnerable, isolated and under-represented people in society, Engagement staff at the University of Oxford’s Gardens, Libraries, and Museums (GLAM) division address this gap with a free, regular and comprehensive programme in a holistic and friendly environment. The initiative was developed collaboratively with the community itself, empowering individuals to access GLAM’s seven venues and collections with confidence.
Supporting young people from African families in accessing science capital – History of Science Museum and Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) scientists
This collaboration saw colleagues from a number of University departments working with community group African Families in the UK to support young people of African and black Caribbean heritage to enjoy science and build cultural connections. Based in Blackbird Leys, one of the 20% most deprived wards in the country, the project included a programme of events and workshops at the History of Science Museum, the University’s science facilities, and other sites – helping those from migrant families to develop and build confidence and self-esteem, and bring them closer to the scientific community.
Highly commended:
Tackling childhood malnutrition in Oxfordshire: From grassroots to policy actions
This community partnership brought together 65 stakeholders from community groups with policymakers and academics at a series of roundtable meetings to discuss poverty and food insecurity in Oxfordshire. They started a multidisciplinary dialogue about tackling income and food inequalities, and ensuring that every child in Oxfordshire has access to nutritious, affordable food every day. The meetings catalysed actions at local and national level, with the team feeding into the key local projects and policies in Oxfordshire, and engaging in national policy and advocacy dialogues as a result of this work.
Finalists:
- Africa Oxford Initiative: Transformational impact via pan-university partnerships with African institutions (Winner of the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contribution)
- Global Leadership Challenge: Empowering the next generation of responsible leaders – Department of Politics and International Relations
- Ten-Minute Book Club – English Faculty
Recognising professional and administrative staff who support the University's academic mission through delivering effective professional services.
Winner:
Innovative leadership in transformation and delivery of Professional Services – Lesa Levett, Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health (NDWRH)
Lesa Levett is Head of Administration and Finance at the Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health. Since her appointment, Lesa has been the driving force for change. Among other things she has introduced a new behaviour charter, biweekly pulse surveys, measures to promote mental health, service reviews and project management tools, and new staff development opportunities. Always leading by example, Lesa’s innovative leadership has transformed the operational delivery and culture of the department.
Highly commended:
Resilience and professionalism under challenging circumstances – Cassie Sprules, Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach, University Administration Services (UAS)
Cassie Sprules in the Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach in the UAS experienced significant disruption to Oxford’s undergraduate admissions tests this year. In the most stressful of circumstances, Cassie remained calm, and supported the UAO team to provide effective customer service to candidates and their supporters who contacted the University. She was truly remarkable and an outstanding example to her colleagues, and without her level-headedness, bravery and resilience, the situation would have been so much worse.
Supporting a healthy environment for University staff and students – Occupational Health team, University Administration Services (UAS)
The University Occupational Health Service has worked tirelessly to improve its service. Among other things, the team has offered proactive training through the Confident Manager and Wellbeing at Oxford programmes; implemented a new ‘case conference’ approach to those with complex health needs; migrated to a new IT platform; developed a new Ill-Health Early Retirement process; hosted the staff counselling service pilot and supported the roll-out of the University’s Employee Assistance Programme. This has led to significant performance improvements and reduced wait times.
Finalists:
- Continuous improvement and collaborative working – Graduate Admissions team, UAS
- Cross-departmental collaborative partnership undertaking HR service review – NDORMS and the Department of Paediatrics
- Planning the shared building operations model for the Life and Mind Building – Biology and Experimental Psychology teams
- IT Professionals working together to deliver IT & AV systems for Reuben College and GLAM
Recognising colleagues who have furthered work to support the University’s Environmental Sustainability strategic goals and commitments.
Winner:
Global Youth Climate Training – School of Geography and the Environment
Global Youth Climate Training is a partnership between the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, the Global Youth Coalition and Eco Interpreters. Through 13 free fortnightly training sessions, the team educated 4,500 activists under the age of 35 from over 177 countries. The training empowered young people around the world with the knowledge and skills to navigate and engage effectively with climate change. There were more than 10,000 applications for the free training, the majority of whom were from areas most impacted by climate change.
Highly commended:
‘Everything is Connected’ season – Cultural Programme, Humanities Division
'Everything is Connected' was a two-month programme of events from the Cultural Programme in the Humanities Division. It gave an opportunity for the public to engage in academic research focusing on the environment and the challenges facing humanity. Activities included an installation that translated words into birdsong to highlight the precarity of species of birds being pushed to ‘pollution pods’ that allowed people to experience the quality of air in some highly polluted cities. In total, 8,000 people took part in the 38 events offer the course of the season.
Finalists:
- Advancing cycle safety through the Vision Zero Working Group – Ed Wigzell, Environmental Sustainability team, Estates Services
- Biodiversity friendly futures for the highlands of Ethiopia – Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Department of Biology
- Driving multiple colleges’ sustainability progress – Peter Nitsche-Whitfield, Lincoln College
- Supporting prospective international undergraduate applicants sustainably – Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach team, UAS
Recognising colleagues who role model equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) through their work, and have made a difference to EDI at Oxford.
Winner:
‘We Are Our History’ project – Bodleian Libraries
‘We Are Our History: Towards Racial Equity’ is a project that helps the Bodleian Libraries to take a close look at its collections, its work with audiences, and its staffing through the lens of race and the legacies of the British Empire. The aim is to make recommendations for improvements in a range of areas covering collections, audiences and staffing – supporting the Bodleian’s commitment to actively foster inclusion and diversity in everything it does.
Highly commended:
Medical Sciences Division Inclusive Leadership Programme
The Medical Sciences Division has developed an Inclusive Leadership Programme that trains Oxford Principal Investigators and professional services leaders to become more inclusive, transparent, and supportive leaders. Through a series of training sessions and workshops to nurture leadership skills for fostering inclusive and equitable environments. The programme has six in-person skills sessions, three group sessions of action-oriented problem solving, and a personal 360° feedback review. Participants also undertake a tailored inclusion project.
Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team Gold Award – Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences (NDPCHS)
In March 2023, the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences was the first in the University of Oxford to be successfully awarded Athena Swan Gold award. This gold award is the result of over a decade of work from the departments’ Athena Swan lead and the Self-Assessment Team which reflects the department’s commitment to representation, progression and success for all. It acknowledges the innovative, inclusive policies and practices developed across the department and the detailed action plans for improvement.
Commitment to Equality and Diversity in Data Science – Sara Khalid, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS)
This is an individual award for Sara Khalid, of NDORMS. As an associate professor of health informatics and biomedical data science, Sara leads research to promote health equity for minority ethnicities, groups with rare conditions, and populations from the global south. She has been an ambassador for the global network of Women in Data Science and has participated in various activities to encourage others to reach Oxford, inspired by her experiences as the only woman engineer from Pakistan to become a Rhodes Scholar and then an Oxford academic.
Finalists:
- Championing EDI and role-modelling best practice – Fadi Issa, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences
- Increasing African student representation in Oxford's postgraduate studies – The Oxford Africa Society / Africa Oxford Initiative
- ‘Taboos and Transitions’ seminar – Dr Sarah Cullinan-Herring, Faculty of Classics
Awarded to a colleague or team that has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to supporting the University's mission.
Winner:
Africa Oxford Initiative
The Africa Oxford Initiative is dedicated to partnering with Universities across Africa, to increase educational opportunities for students from the continent, boost employment opportunities and support new partnerships.
For eight years, it has worked at individual, institutional and regional level in Education, Research and Innovation – with a string of successful placements, courses and grants for African students and staff.
It was nominated in two categories in this year's awards – in the Community Partnerships category, and jointly with the Oxford Africa Society for in the Support for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion category for its work increasing representation in Oxford's postgraduate studies.
The Vice-Chancellor praised the team for the way the team has worked tirelessly, collaboratively and in a sustained way over several years to make a positive difference in pursuit of the University's academic mission.
