Staff and students celebrated at the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence 2023

The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards celebrate students, staff, alumni and members of the community who have made an exceptional contribution to the University, its values, its ambition and its success.

This year's awards - the sixth annual awards - saw the introduction of award categories aligned with the University Strategy which provided an opportunity to acknowledge a more diverse range of nominations. Awards were bestowed on winners in 9 categories and 8 additional nominees were presented with commendations for their efforts over the last year. Special guests included University Chancellor Karen Blackett, and Portsmouth Lord Mayor Tom Coles.

University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Galbraith, said: “I’m always impressed by the number of nominations we receive, the success stories we are sent, and the sheer hard work and dedication displayed by our staff, students and community members.

“As we draw ever closer to the Christmas holidays and the end of another year, it is a fitting time to take a moment to pause, reflect on, and celebrate, these achievements. It’s fantastic to be able to congratulate colleagues and students from across the university community for some amazing achievements and provide them with some well-deserved recognition.”

The awards ceremony took place in Eldon W1.11, followed by a celebratory lunch buffet in the Eldon building foyer.

Award winners

EFREI Paris Project Team - VC Award for Internationalisation

Nominator summary: The team developed a successful 6-week Study Abroad Programme for Paris students from  the Ecole Française d’Electronique et d’Informatique (EFREI) working with CCI School of Creative Technologies colleagues. EFREI Paris students attended 6-weeks of core-curriculum lectures and seminars and 2 organised visits which revolved around satisfying the brief of a ‘Real’ Client in Portsmouth , using a ‘Live’ project methodology. The work of the students was of a high standard and EFREI Paris have subsequently requested to work with CCI on this programme for the next 3 academic cycles. 

Natasha Layley - Outstanding Contribution to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Nominator summary: Natasha was the University Students’ Union Welfare Officer from 2021-23. During her tenure, Natasha played a pivotal role in promoting accessibility and inclusivity within the university community. One of her notable contributions was the establishment of an accessibility review, which aimed to ensure that the curriculum and the university estate were accessible to all students. Additionally, Natasha spearheaded efforts to enhance night time safety on campus and provided invaluable support in the creation of the Purple Lantern Society, a society dedicated to supporting students who identify as neurodivergent or those who wish to learn more about neurodiversity.

Revolution Plastics - Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Sustainability

Nominator summary: Revolution Plastics has created a world-leading plastics-focused research, innovation and teaching community to urgently transform our understanding of the global plastics crisis through inclusive, solutions-focused research and innovation to support the transition to a sustainable plastics future. 

Dr Alison Habens - Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community

Nominator summary: Alison proposed and delivered Portsmyth, an interactive game, tour and historical storytelling, for 2023 PortsFest. Aimed at teenagers, but illuminating for all, Portsmyth presents the underbelly of Portsmouth history beneath the apparently calm civic surface. Alison’s game, story and website is a world-class contribution to this emerging cross-disciplinary field. It not only makes the University visible, showing the best kind of playful cross-pollination of the academic and the popular, but it builds on work Dr Habens and others have done within and without the University.

Dr David Hutchinson - Partnerships and Collaboration

Nominator summary: David has developed significant relationships with Portsmouth City Council and supported their ambitions to be carbon neutral. His work with Portsmouth International Port has brought in one of the University's largest ever research projects at nearly £20M, and potentially one of the most impactful to the local community, decarbonising passenger and cargo ships in ports. This will reduce emissions, improve air quality and save lives. This project is world leading and the UK's flagship project in maritime decarbonisation. Beyond the port, David is directly supporting the council in how they can decarbonise and provide a more sustainable city.

Emma Gaisford - Professional Services Excellence

Nominator summary: Emma has gone above and beyond in her role as media officer. As the media contact for Revolution Plastics she has worked tirelessly, often outside of standard working hours. Emma’s work has been crucial in ensuring that the UoP’s research has been prominent in the media and in the public’s mind. Using her contacts and with a can-do attitude, Emma has maximised the impact of our work, be that an unprecedented 9 minutes of coverage for our Plastics Futures conference on BBC South Today, or national and international media work on microplastics. The increased media coverage has led to both the number and quality of students and staff applying to work with our plastics research groups increasing. It has also increased the number of international research projects and events we are invited to join and speak at.

The Learning Design Team - Teaching Excellence

Nominator summary: The Learning Design community was formed as part of the implementation of the Digital Success Plan for Learning and Teaching. The Learning Design team made it possible to adapt, deploy and scale up an established team-based learning design approach, i.e. enABLe, to support staff in course and module design and redesign. Initial indicators show that the changes made have a positive impact on student satisfaction and outcomes. EnABLe was referenced heavily in the university’s recent TEF submission, including its very positive initial impact. The work conducted has created interest across the sector, nationally and internationally. With direct participation and input from the Learning Design team, enABLe has been showcased or deployed at universities in the UK and abroad.

Professor James Ryan - Research Impact

Nominator summary: James supported Portsmouth City Council in submitting a successful bid to the Arts and Humanities Research Council for its Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships. Portsmouth City Council is the only non-national level organisation in the current round, a significant achievement for the city. James’ experience, insight, and enthusiasm for collaboration and partnership working was invaluable. As part of the programme, Portsmouth City Council will be co-supervising nine fully funded PhDs with academic partners including the University of Portsmouth. Their research, and the wider partnership, will have significant and lasting benefits for Portsmouth City Council and the city's communities. Portsmouth City Council is very grateful for the invaluable support which is an exemplar for academic-civic collaboration.

Teodor Zhelyazkov - Student Experience and Outcomes

Nominator summary: Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Teodor immediately looked for ways to support our Ukrainian applicants. He rapidly researched the Ukraine Education System, UK visa schemes and spoke with many Ukranians to better understand their specific circumstances. Teodor also garnered help and advice from teams across the University enabling him to develop a range of practical solutions and gain the approval of senior leaders. As a direct result of his efforts, the University introduced a number of new initiatives including a more flexible approach to admissions and registration, free English Language tests and help with translating documents. This enabled 10 Ukrainian students to overcome considerable obstacles to join us in 2022/23. He continues to work tirelessly on behalf of Ukranian applicants, meeting many displaced families at events throughout Europe. Those he has supported have passed his details to others resulting in many enquiries and another 11 students joining us this year. The impact he has made to the personal experiences and outcomes of these students is immeasurable.

Commendation winners

• The Global Week Team for Internationalisation
• Staff Network Chairs & Co-Chairs for Outstanding Contribution to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• The Solent Seascape Project for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Sustainability
• Dominic Owen for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
• Dr Veronika Poniscjakova for Partnerships and Collaboration
• The Sports & Recreation Team for Professional Services Excellence
• Dr Chidubem Ikeatuegwu for Teaching Excellence
• The Psychology Society Committee for Student Experience and Outcomes

Volunteering Roll of Honour

In support of the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence, we wanted to acknowledge and show recognition for all the amazing volunteering work that our colleagues undertake in their spare time.

A volunteering ‘Roll of Honour’ was displayed at the end of the ceremony, which you can view online.