Shortlist announced for VC's Professional Services Awards

The awards, which launched this academic year, recognise the difference that colleagues in administrative, professional and support roles make to the University, and to furthering Oxford’s academic mission. In particular they celebrate colleagues who demonstrate the principles of Professional Services Together – the University’s framework for spreading best practice across our professional services. 

There were more than 130 nominations for the awards, representing more than 300 members of staff, and spanning a huge variety of work from every part of the University. Nominees included colleagues supporting research and education in departments and colleges; providing centralised services such as admissions, estates and finance; and managing the University’s gardens, libraries and museums. 

The shortlist, published on the awards webpage, covers five award categories: People Development, Role Model, Outstanding Support, Making Things Better, Collaborating Across Oxford. A ‘Registrar’s Choice’ award will also be issued at the ceremony.

The entries were judged by a panel with representatives from across the University, chaired by the Registrar Gill Aitken. The Registrar said:

I was wowed by the breadth and quality of the nominations for this, our first Professional Services Awards. They show the wide array of activities that our professional and administrative staff take part in across the University in support of our academic mission: some are about practical improvements to processes, and many are about helping and equipping our people to develop and be more effective in, and indeed at ease with, their work and environment. I am delighted to see such tangible commitment to the core Professional Services Together themes of people, quality and collaboration.

I congratulate everyone who was shortlisted, and thank everyone who made the many wonderful nominations from across all parts of the University this year. We will be sharing and highlighting these excellent examples of good practice in the months ahead.

Shortlisted entrants have now been invited to a ceremony hosted by the Vice-Chancellor at the Examination Schools on Tuesday, 21 March 2023, where the winners will be announced.  

Find out more on the awards webpage.

The event will follow the Registrar’s Update, which will take place from 2pm-3pm on Tuesday, 21 March 2023, also at the Examination Schools. Invitations for this all staff event will be sent out closer to the time.