Researchers to collect prizes at The Open University Research Excellence Awards

The Open University’s Research Excellence Awards recognises the very best in research and research support across the University and this year’s winners are no exception. The ceremony is a unique opportunity for people and organisations both inside and outside of the university to come together and celebrate the outstanding level of research at the university.

This year’s awards recognised the innovative work of individuals and teams across several disciplines including the areas of impact, leadership, knowledge exchange, collaboration and outstanding work from long-established and emerging academics. Academics at The Faculty of WELS were the winners of several awards this year and recognised for their remarkable work.

Congratulations to the following winners based in WELS:

Outstanding Collaboration

• Dr Philip Seargeant, on a collaboration between the OU Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Institute of Welsh Affairs for their exploration into what improvements can be made with access and understanding of media, news and information in Wales.

Outstanding Impact

• Professor Teresa Cremin, Dr Helen Hendry, Professor Natalia Kucirkova, Professor Liz Chamberlain, Dr Lucy Rodriguez Leon, Debbie Thomas, Kelly Ashley, Dr Claire Saunders, Sam Hulston, Dr Sarah Jane Mukherjee, Dr Jen Aggelton, Dr Amelia Hempel Jorgensen for the extensive impact, scale and reach of Reading for Pleasure a programme designed to boost children’s reading.

Outstanding Early Careers Research

• Dr Jennifer Jomafuvwe Agbaire for her outstanding research and achievements both in the UK and internationally just three years post completing her PhD.

Outstanding Knowledge Exchange

• Dr Margaret Ebubedike for several international projects which follow a participatory research approach that engages communities and collaborates closely with local stakeholder groups.

Outstanding Postgraduate Researcher

• Dr Simon Penn for his exceptional research into assignment feedback, improving tutor and student communication and informing OU practices.

In addition to the winners above, WELS had several runners-up in the following categories:

Outstanding Open Research

• Dr Alexandra Okada

Outstanding Impact

• Dr Victoria Newton, Dr Mari Greenfield, Professor Lesley Hoggart

Outstanding Leadership

• Professor Teresa Cremin

Outstanding Knowledge Exchange

• Professor Anne Adams, Professor Christothea Herotodou, Kevin McLeod, Dr Richard Greenwood, Peter Devine
• Darren Jones, Gareth Harvey, Dr Anita Pilgrim

Outstanding Postgraduate Researcher

• Holly Parrott

In response to the wins Professor Lesley Hoggart, Associate Dean Research at the Faculty of WELS said: "These awards really highlight the depth and breadth of research excellence in our Faculty. Many of the awards also demonstrate how WELS conducts research that makes a difference."

She added: "I also want to acknowledge that our research excellence is broader than those named. Many colleagues contribute towards the research excellence of our Faculty. I would therefore also like to congratulate all those who were nominated, as well as those involved in research who maybe struggled to find the time to develop applications. And, finally, many thanks to those who supported the nominations, finding the time to read entries and provide comments."

The awards will form part of a wider research event where award winners will each receive trophies and a £750 prize paid to their faculties.