Partnership Awards
About Partnership Awards
Each year we hold the Partnership Awards, celebrating students and staff who have enhanced the Leeds community by embodying the values of The Leeds Partnership. Put simply, we want to hear from you about the people who make the Leeds learning experience so brilliant – from equality and inclusion, to feedback and assessment.
Historically, the Partnership Awards has always looked to celebrate the achievements of our staff and students, but, since 2022, we have been realigning the awards to be inclusive of all those in our community who contribute to making sure our students love their time at Leeds.
“The Partnership Awards are an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the people that make Leeds University so brilliant. You can nominate anyone-whether it be a student, staff or a team that has made an impression on your time here.
We want this year’s awards to be bigger and better than ever, really celebrating our diversity and what defines our community; there’s so much good here to celebrate. I’m so excited to see the incredible nominations and hear your stories. Nominate someone today and help us shine a spotlight on the people who make our university special.” – Shivani Gug, LUU Education Officer
“The Leeds Partnership Awards are a fantastic opportunity to highlight the talented and caring colleagues who are the heart of our learning community. The Awards are an opportunity to pause and appreciate the collaboration and inclusivity in our shared work as well as the commitment to innovative research and teaching.
I’m always heartened by the strength and depth of the partnership, moved by the stories and examples of partnership work, and impressed by a community of students and educators who value each other.
These prestigious awards recognise incredible people who go above and beyond in every area of University life, nurturing our shared goal to continue providing high-quality, transformative learning experiences for our wonderful students. Please take the time to nominate that someone special who deserves to be recognised for the outstanding work they do.” – Jeff Grabill, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Student Education
Key dates
Nominations open: Monday 25 November
Nominations close: Friday 28 February
Partnership Awards ceremony: Tuesday 6 May
Nominations are now closed
If you have any questions about the Partnership Awards or the process, please contact the Academic Representation Team: uniasup@leeds.ac.uk.
This Year's Winners
Why should I nominate?
All nominees will receive an email letting them know what a good job someone thinks they’re doing. This can be a huge boost to people’s wellbeing and satisfaction at Leeds, and helps us to showcase the best of our University. Winners will be celebrated at Faculty-level events, and the best nominees in each category will compete for the University-wide awards at a special ceremony in April.
Last year’s Overall Partnership Award winner Sebastian Wayne Glasper, from the School of Media and Communications, said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have received the Overall Leeds Partnership Awards this year, which left me speechless and deeply grateful. I really appreciate the opportunities I have been given this last year and the chance to see this recognised, not only for myself but also to learn about all the other amazing work happening on and off campus. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported me and congratulations to all the nominees and winners for making such a meaningful impact on our community.”
Award Categories & Information
Who is eligible?
Everyone! Undergraduate students, Postgraduate students, Academic staff, Professional Services staff, Technical staff. Individuals and groups/teams.
Nominees in this category should encapsulate the University of Leeds’ and Leeds University Union’s values that everyone, regardless of background, should feel like they belong within our University community. This may be in either their everyday work, or through special initiatives.
Who is eligible?
Academic staff, Postgraduates who teach.
Nominees in this category should use assessment and feedback to support and facilitate learning. Their approach will enhance the overall student experience and encourage students to become reflective learners. They will create assessment and feedback opportunities for students which are fair, inclusive and authentic.
Who is eligible?
Everyone! Undergraduate students, Postgraduate students, Academic staff, Professional Services staff, Technical staff. Individuals and groups/teams.
This category recognises those who have guided, supported, encouraged and nurtured others to develop their skills and prospects for the future, helping them to grow and progress, either personally or in their learning.
Who is eligible?
Everyone! Undergraduate students, Postgraduate students, Academic staff, Professional Services staff, Technical staff. Individuals and groups/teams.
Nominees in this category should demonstrate a commitment to wellbeing on campus through their everyday work, or special initiatives. Nominations should explain the impact of the work, and the scale of those who benefit.
Who is eligible?
Everyone! Undergraduate students, Postgraduate students, Academic staff, Professional Services staff, Technical staff. Individuals and groups/teams.
This category recognises innovative methods and approaches to engage and excite others, or solve problems. This could be in relation to teaching methods, support services, engagement techniques or other initiatives.
Who is eligible?
Everyone! Undergraduate students, Postgraduate students, Academic staff, Professional Services staff, Technical staff. Individuals and groups/teams.
This category celebrates members of our community who work with a global focus. Nominations will recognise individuals, groups or initiatives which have actively engaged in the promotion and maintenance of international or intercultural activities, education, or competence.
Who is eligible?
Academic staff.
This category recognises exceptional Personal Tutors, and dissertation, thesis or final year Project Supervisors who, through their passion and leadership, promote academic engagement, leadership, guidance and a sense of belonging.
Who is eligible?
Professional Services staff members (i.e. – any working in a non-teaching capacity). Individuals and groups/teams.
New for 2024, this award recognises the contributions to our University from any staff member who does not teach. This includes, but is not limited to, colleagues in; the Student Education Service, Campus Services, Leeds University Union, Libraries, Careers, Technicians or any other staff member. Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to supporting students, and/or bettering the University community.
Who is eligible?
Academic staff, Postgraduates who teach.
This category will recognise the individual or group who continually inspire students, using their passion and dedication for a subject area to inspire others to continually develop their thinking and academic skills.
Who is eligible?
Course Reps, Programme Reps, Year Reps, School Reps, Faculty Officers, Postgraduate Research Reps, Students who sit on University Advisory Boards.
Nominees for this category should have actively worked in partnership with others to secure positive, student-led change that makes a real difference to students.
Who is eligible?
Postgraduate researchers.
This award recognises any registered Leeds postgraduate researcher (PGR) who, while undertaking their own research, makes a significant impact on our learning/research community, or the wider world.
Who is eligible?
University of Leeds apprentices
This award recognises an apprentice who has made a significant impact at Leeds during their studies. This could be through academic excellence, their contribution to co-curricular activities, or enhancing the learning experience or sense of belonging for their peers.
Who is eligible?
Undergraduate students, Foundation Year students, Postgraduate students (taught and research), Degree Apprenticeship students registered for the 2023/24 academic year.
This award recognises a student, or student group, who have made a significant impact at Leeds during their studies. This could be through academic excellence, their contribution to co-curricular activities, or enhancing the learning experience or sense of belonging for their peers.
Who is eligible?
Groups/teams, Schools, Faculties or cross-institutional groups and networks that feature student-staff collaboration.
This award will celebrate meaningful changes developed as the outcome of a partnership between students and staff. This could include, but is not limited to, co-created initiatives in student education, work around engaging student communities, or collaborative efforts on wellbeing, equality and diversity.
Who is eligible?
Everyone! Undergraduate students, Postgraduate students, Academic staff, Professional Services staff, Technical staff. Individuals and groups/teams.
This award recognises any person or group, either student or staff, who has made an exceptional improvement to opportunities or experiences for students. This may include; staff who have developed new methods to support and communicate with students; excellent opportunities linked to student success; support schemes, activities or campaigns to help students love their time at Leeds; activities to foster a sense of belonging in Leeds; or innovative ways to enhance the student learning experience. In short, the Contribution to Student Experience Award recognises that which makes our campus so special!
This Award is decided by the shortlisting panel and given to the person or people whose work embodies the ethos of the Leeds Partnership and has an exceptional impact on our community. Often this will be a person, group, or School that has been nominated broadly, or particularly active on a specific issue.
