Sarah leads two Enhancing Research Culture projects at Warwick: ‘Shared Resources Laboratories’ and the ‘RTProf Forum’. She was Highly Commended for her work in Research Culture, as she has been a driving force in shaping the research culture for technical specialists at Warwick, as a member of the Research Culture Forum and externally, through Midlands Innovation.

Dr Ian Hancox, Director of Research Technology and Technical Strategy, said: "Sarah's genuine concern for enhancing research culture at Warwick is reflected in her proactive efforts to understand and address the challenges faced by technical staff, making her a commendable ambassador for positive change."

Sarah has not only built networks, but has also empowered teams, fostering a collaborative environment where individuals in previously isolating roles can thrive.

The Student Research team's commitment to inclusivity and diversity ensures that research conversations are vibrant, supportive, and accessible to all students, regardless of their academic background.

Amanda Wilson, School of Law, said: “The Student Research team's recognition of students as key contributors to the research culture underscores their commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. Their collaborative approach empowers undergraduates to pursue original research and provides avenues for them to share their findings, enriching the academic discourse.”

Congratulations to the Covid 19 modelling team, from the School of Life Sciences, who won the Impact award due to their ground-breaking work during the Covid-19 pandemic, providing model-based projections to SPI-M-O, SAGE and UK government.

They were nominated by Professor Miriam Gifford, Head of Life Sciences, who said: “Despite being smaller than other teams, Warwick informed on all major UK decisions, in tight collaboration with health agencies and policy advisors.

“They provided model estimates for all six relaxation roadmap steps, allowing the government confidence in the gradual reopening of society and incorporating a delay due to the potential severe consequences of the Delta variant.

They were the only group providing model-based advice on UK vaccination. Their work on: (i) prioritising the oldest and most vulnerable was used by the government as part of decisions estimated to save over 20,000 lives in the first eight months; (ii) delaying the second dose to ~12 weeks was adopted by WHO, estimated to have saved nearly 100,000 hospital admissions.”

Professor Richard Smith is a Professor of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics. He was nominated by Professor Ema Ushioda, Applied Linguistics, for his work on learner and teacher autonomy and teaching in difficult circumstances.

Most English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers in the Global South work long hours, with little training, material support or sense of agency, in large-class, low-resource state school settings. Teacher demotivation and pupil disengagement are frequently attested outcomes.

Professor Smith has developed a strengths-based ‘enhancement approach’ and is known internationally for his Exploratory Action Research (EAR) approach to professional development for teachers in difficult circumstances, which he continued to develop during the Covid-19 pandemic. Professor Ushioda said: “His innovative approaches to teacher development are now widely applied.”

In a body of place-based research spanning over four years, Professor Nadine Holdsworth (Theatre and Performance Studies) has explored how arts and creativity can contribute to health and wellbeing, equality and social justice. It has resulted in a wide range of outputs including the Arts and Homelessness in Coventry Report, an exhibition, theatre project and life-size Homeless Monopoly board game which helps housing professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders develop thoughtful understanding of the complex factors leading to homelessness.

She was nominated for the Impact award by Professor Yvette Hutchinson, SCPVC, who said: “The Arts, Creativity and Homelessness project, which demonstrates how arts, creativity and co-production can challenge stereotypes that lead to negative perceptions of homelessness and facilitate opportunities for people to be seen and their voices amplified.”

Dr Zhewei Zhang is Associate Professor in the ISM-Analytics (ISMA) Group in WBS. His research interests include digital innovation and artificial intelligence, and he has led several funded projects to design AI systems in areas such as litigation and higher education.

Professor Joe Namdhakumar is Professor Information Systems in the ISM-Analytics (ISMA) Group in WBS. His research focuses on the design and use of digital technology and its implications on work and organizational interactions and engagement.

They were nominated for their collaborations with companies in the legal sector, which co-developed novel AI systems to improve the efficiently and accuracy of legal case analysis and significantly reduce file analysis time.

Their award recognises the impact of the collaboration on both law firms and their clients, it’s contributions to both law and artificial intelligence, and the sustainability of its outcomes, with the tool's maintenance and future development secured through the hands-on involvement of its users.

The REWARD (Radio Electronics-Warwick Allied Research and Development) project, led by Professor Mohan Balasubramanian received funding in 2022 from the Research England/Universities UK International (UUKi) UK-Ukraine University Twinning Initiative to bring together researchers from Warwick and the Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics (NURE).

The REWARD project team were nominated for delivering collaborative research projects in partnership with NURE which developed AI software that will help medics identify patients who require immediate treatment for potentially life-threatening wounds.

The team was commended for delivering relationship-building activities which have extended the disciplinary breadth of this partnership and laid the groundwork for long-term collaboration, developed NURE’s capability and supported Ukrainian national economic and welfare priorities.

Dr Fiona Fisher, Research Strategy and Programme Manager in the Institute for Advanced Study, said: “I would like to nominate the team involved in this programme for the way they have brought together this important project, secured funding and delivered it so quickly and under such difficult circumstances and at the same time delivered lifesaving research that will underpin a long term collaboration between Warwick & NURE.”

Professor Rebecca Earle is a food historian who is interested in how ordinary, everyday activities such as eating or dressing shape how we think about the world and how others view us. She won the Communications and Publicity award for her ‘smartly-focused media and public engagement work’ which ‘used the story of the humble potato to illuminate wider truths about human society past and present’.

From publishing a book exploring the global history of potato, to helping with the launch of our very own spud van closer to home, Professor Earle’s work has been wide-reaching. Josh Allen, Faculty of Arts, said: “Whether in the BBC radio studio, or in the gaze of the TV camera recording a piece for Channel 5 ‘Inside Nando’s: A Peri-Peri Big Success Story’, Earle seizes good opportunities to engage the public with the potato as a device for understanding the construction of modernity.”

Professor Eric Holubis a geneticist, systems-thinker and a fellow of Warwick Institute of Engagement, but most importantly he is a researchcommunicator. He was nominated by Professor Helen Wheatley, Director of Warwick Institute, who said: “I am nominating Professor Eric Holub because he is absolutely committed to taking his research into the genetic improvement of food crops and affordable food diversity to the very widest audience.”

He’s made headlines with his work in developing homegrown baked beans, with the aim of enabling a food system that better serves public health using seed, soil and British sunshine. He drove public engagement for his research in a number of ways, including collaborations with local chefs, events and community tours of Warwick Crop Centre. Professor Wheatley said: “He is utterly committed to widespread research communication and a model of how that can be transformed into deeper public engagement.”

Dr Ben Breeze is Manager of the Spectroscopy Research Technology Platform (RTP) and supports spectroscopic materials characterisation. He is also responsible for all training in the facility and offers support in experiment design and analysis.

He was nominated for his generous and enthusiastic approach to enabling the research completed at the Spectroscopy RTP, including contributing to the design of bespoke experiments, and supporting researcher development from undergraduate through to postgraduate level.

His award recognises the impact of his work with the facility, which supports the research of over 100 PhD students in addition to postdoctoral researchers and undergraduate students from across 6 Departments, and has been acknowledged in over 100 papers in the past three years.

Dr Ben Green, Assistant Professor in the Physics Department, said: “Ben has been instrumental in the training of users and in many cases has directly contributed to the measurements themselves. His above-and-beyond contributions to the research of so many people should be recognised and celebrated.”

“As noted by a Chemistry PhD candidate: “As someone who works in a different field to the rest of my research group, I'm endlessly grateful for how Ben has taken me under his wing to help me design experiments, improve my experimental confidence and empower my development as a researcher.”

She was nominated for her contribution to research culture in introducing undergraduates to research, for her innovation in working with students to develop dissemination opportunities, and her work on developing the Warwick PATHWAY programme to support black student researchers.

She was commended for her leadership of the URSS service and for her commitment to increasing engagement in undergraduate research from under-represented groups.

Professor Chis Corre is a Professor of Chemistry and Life Sciences, specialising in Bacterial Transcriptional Regulators, Bioactive Natural Products, and Biocatalysts.

He was nominated and won the award for Excellent Supervision in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine due to his commitment to supporting his students, providing valuable, honest feedback and support in group sessions, and going beyond traditional teaching approaches.

Jingfan Zhang, School of Life Sciences, said: “He has been an excellent, supportive and knowledgeable supervisor throughout my PhD. He has helped me design my project, pointing out possible mistakes on my research plan and helping me fix them. Chris is very fun to talk to whether it’s your project plan, technical issue or personal life.”

Another student commented: “He consistently carves out time for weekly individual meetings with his PhD students, ensuring personalised attention and guidance. Furthermore, Prof Corre maintains accessibility beyond face-to-face interactions, being readily available through email for any queries or concerns from his students.

“Prof Corre's influence extends beyond the classroom as he remains in contact with past students. His willingness to provide recommendation letters and assist PhD students in refining their CVs demonstrates a holistic commitment to their academic and professional growth.”

Dr Emily Henderson joined the Department of Education Studies in 2015. Her research and her approach to teaching are international and interdisciplinary, drawing upon her background working and studying in Togo, Senegal, India and USA.

She received multiple nominations in the Excellent Supervision category due to her ‘unwavering support’ and ‘invaluable advice’.

One student commented "Dr Emily F. Henderson could be best described as a driven academic whose love for research and enacting social justice is contagious. She curates her supervision style according to the aspirations of her supervisees. Further, she adapts her supervision style to match with the idiosyncrasies of doctoral students working with her."

Kevin Zhou, Institute of Advanced Studies, said: “With Dr Emily Henderson’s unwavering support, I was awarded the early career fellowship at the Institute of Advanced Studies, and I nominated her as my mentor for the fellowship. During the fellowship, she provided invaluable advice to advance my academic career, including but not limited to publications, fellowships, job applications, conferences, and of course, career stresses. She is also willing to share her network with me, and thanks to her introduction, I have successfully secured sponsorship for the British Academy early career fellowship for the 2024 application.”