Announcing the winners of the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2024

The University celebrated outstanding talent and commitment to excellence on Wednesday 8 May as the winners of the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2024 were announced. 

The awards recognise the achievements and celebrate the success of all staff across the University. 

The winners and highly commended nominations were announced at a special ceremony at the Sheldonian Theatre, while finalists featured at a three-day showcase at the Weston Library.  

The Vice-Chancellor hosted the ceremony and presented winning and highly commended colleagues with their awards. 

This year’s awards brought out the very best of Oxford. They highlighted the outstanding contributions our amazing people make every day in this great collegiate University.

Bringing the awards together into one larger celebration allowed us to learn from and inspire each other across disciplines. It was fantastic meeting the finalists at the showcase and ceremony. I would like to congratulate not only the highly commended and winning teams, but also the hundreds of colleagues from all parts of the University who were nominated. Thank you for your commitment to the University’s mission of teaching and research.
– Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor CBE FRS FMedSci 

Celebrating all parts of Oxford 

What was previously five separate groups of awards became a University-wide celebration in 2024.  

There were 250 award entries this year, with 1,500 individuals included in the nominations, from all parts of Oxford including colleges, divisions, departments, central services, libraries and museums. A number of spin-outs and external partners were also nominated. 

There were 11 categories spanning strategically important areas, including education and student support as well as research engagement and innovation. Community partnerships, EDI, sustainability and professional service staff were also recognised. 

Members of the 65 shortlisted teams were invited to the ceremony, and the winners were thrilled with their awards:

North Korea Crisis Simulation team, Master of Public Policy, Winner of the Innovative Teaching and Assessment Award

I’m so pleased that the innovation and hard work of every member of this team has been recognised. It’s emblematic of the care and attention to detail that goes into delivering the very best teaching for our students every day across the Blavatnik School—and preparing them for public service and policy impact in governments globally.

– Professor Thomas Simpson, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Public Policy and Co-Director of the Master of Public Policy, Winner of the Innovative Teaching and Assessment Award

Anjali Shah, Winner of the Research Culture Award

Oxford conducts excellent research and parts of Oxford, such as in NDORMS, have an excellent research environment. But I believe in continuous improvement. The award will spur me on with improving research culture and sharing good practice across our diverse and wonderful institution. 

– Anjali Shah, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), Winner of the Research Culture Award 

I feel absolutely delighted, it's been an amazing afternoon and such an incredible richness of talent on show from across the entire university. GLAM produced such strong projects and activities. Colleagues competed so well in the awards, getting many shortlisted and then winning several of the categories, so I couldn't be happier.

– Richard Ovenden, Bodley’s Librarian and Head of Gardens, Libraries and Museums  

Lesa Levett, Winner of the Enhancing Oxford's Professional Services Award

Seeing professional services being recognised is really important. We are the oil that ensures the wheels keep going round, we provide a service and making sure that service is supportive of scientists is fundamentally important. Having events like this, to make people feel valued, is really important

– Lesa Levett, Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health (NDWRH), Winner of the Enhancing Oxford’s Professional Services Award

Alice Purkiss and Rachel Delman, Winners of the Support for Students Award

We are really pleased that our work connecting across multiple areas and divisions within the University is being recognised. Heritage tends to be seen as an elite sector which is notoriously competitive and challenging to navigate. We both work really hard to facilitate student opportunities in the sector and see our students growing in confidence, while engaging with national organisations.

–  Alice Purkiss and Rachel Delman, Heritage Partnerships, Winners of the Support for Students Award

Professor Alex Betts, Local & Global Engagement Officer, presented the new Community Partnerships category, and reflected that the awards highlighted the differences that colleagues make:  

I was delighted to be involved in this year’s awards. It was heartening to see how many of the finalists were involved in work that had significant benefits to communities outside the University – both locally here in Oxfordshire as well as around the world. Whether in education, research or outreach, these awards highlight the difference our colleagues make in Oxford and beyond every day, and I offer a huge congratulations to all this year’s finalists.
– Professor Alex Betts, Local & Global Engagement Officer 

View a list of the winners, highly commended and finalists 

Outstanding contribution award 

The Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) team were awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution. 

This new award is given to a team or individual that has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to supporting the University's mission.  

AfOx was nominated in two categories, and the Vice-Chancellor praised the team for the way it has worked tirelessly, collaboratively and in a sustained way over several years.  

Africa Oxford Institute team, Winner of the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contribution

We are deeply honoured and humbled by this award, which reflects both the hard work of our incredible team and the strength and depth of our partnerships across Africa. At AfOx, we believe that true excellence in research and education can only be achieved through inclusive, equitable and impactful collaborations. We congratulate all the nominated projects and are grateful for the vote of confidence from the Vice-Chancellor, our Oxford colleagues and our partners across the continent. This award inspires us to continue our efforts in building bridges between Oxford and African institutions, fostering environments where diverse perspectives thrive.

– Dr Anne Makena, Co-Director, Africa Oxford Initiative, Winner of the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contribution Award

Showcase celebration 

As part of the celebrations, a showcase of the shortlisted nominations took place at the Weston Library from 7 to 9 May. 

Staff were invited to attend the Awards Showcase exhibition to meet the nominees presenting their work. Nominees also delivered 18 10-minute ‘flash talks’ on topics ranging from clinical trial pandemic preparedness, delivering IT & AV systems, increasing African student representation, to immersive approaches in teaching and learning.  

An interactive EDI trail also took place as part of the Showcase. The event encouraged participants to meet 12 nominees whose work is helping build a more equal, diverse and inclusive Oxford.  

The showcase was a fantastic opportunity to display our tools and offer hands-on experience to a diverse audience. It also served as a forum for exchanging knowledge and networking. Participating in the event was a proud moment for our team members 

– Sharmila Rajendran, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG), Winner of Inclusive Teaching and Assessment Award

The Vice-Chancellor's Award showcase and ceremony were truly a joyful celebration of the amazing work of colleagues and collaborators and our wider community. It has been a real honour and privilege to learn of the work being done and to be part of this special day, filled with sunshine and diversity.
– Dr Shobi Nagraj, Tackling childhood malnutrition in Oxfordshire: From Grassroots to Policy Actions, Highly Commended in the Community Partnership Award 

Sustainable and inclusive 

Efforts were taken to ensure awards were inclusive, sustainable and accessible to all.  

Award plaques were sourced from a sustainability certified company that uses reclaimed scaffold planks and certificates were printed by a local leading sustainable print company. 

At the Awards Reception, canapés used seasonal local produce with a low carbon impact. Sparkling wine was sourced from a vineyard in Oxfordshire and non-alcoholic cocktails from Millets Farm. Flowers were sourced from Skylark, an eco-floristry that ensures meadow boxes can be used at multiple events.   

The ceremony had a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter and quiet spaces were available at the Sheldonian Theatre and Examination Schools throughout the event. 

Give your feedback 

All staff are invited to provided their feedback about the 2024 awards (whether they were involved or not).  

This survey asks for feedback about all parts of the awards this year – from the nominations process to the ceremony and celebration.  

The deadline is Friday 31 May. 

More information about the awards is available online.