On Friday 6 May 2022, we celebrated our Education Awards in person for the first time in three years at the Apex Hotel in Bath, an evening full of inspiration, joy, community, and pride.
The excitement was palpable as students and staff were invited into a buzzing drinks reception, complete with prosecco and of course, now that it’s almost summer, Pimm’s. There was a real sense of belonging and excitement which continued to grow throughout the evening.
Education Officer, Jacob Withington, spoke of what this year’s Education Awards meant to him: ‘The first in-person Education Awards in 3 years was a wonderful evening to unite Academic Reps, Peer Mentors, PAL Leaders and Lecturers. It was heart-warming to hear of all the great work done by these crucial members of our academic experience. ChaOS provided a great musical atmosphere for us to reward the hard work of nominees and winners.... along with free food and drink!’
Speaking of ChaOS (Choral & Orchestral Society), guests were treated to a top-notch band and talented vocalists all night long, setting the perfect tone for the evening. When ChaOS weren’t performing, everyone’s eyes were glued to the presentation behind the stage, declaring each winner of the evening’s awards.
The Education Awards are a collaboration between The SU and the University of Bath and comprise of three award sections: SU Peer Support & Postgraduate, University Teaching Awards, and Academic Representation. Find out more about the University Teaching Awards here.
First up were the SU Peer Support & Postgraduate Awards:
Outstanding Contribution to Peer Support (Student Award):
This award recognises the work of individual Peer Mentors, Lead Peer Mentors, PAL Leaders, Senior PAL Leaders and Student Trainers to support and develop their fellow students.
Winner: Ioana Mocanu, Lead Peer Mentor.
Outstanding Contribution to Peer Support (Staff Award):
This award is for a staff member who organises and supports Peer Support schemes within the University and provides support for volunteers in such a scheme. This could be any staff member who supports Peer Mentoring, Peer Assisted Learning, or peer-led Skills Training, including lecturers, Department Coordinators or other staff in your department or faculty/the school.
Winner: Dr Magdalyn Okolo.
Peer Support Team of the Year:
This award recognises groups of Peer Mentors, Lead Peer Mentors, PAL Leaders, Senior PAL Leaders and Student Trainers that have worked together to support and develop their fellow students. Any size group can be nominated for this award.
Winner: Biosciences PAL Leaders.
Postgraduate Who Teaches (PGWT) of the Year:
This award recognises the amazing work postgraduate students put into teaching and the support they provide for our studies. This can be for demonstrations, lectures, seminars, or tutorials. Both postgraduate taught and doctoral students are eligible for this award.
Winner: Ross Jackson.
Doctoral Representative of the Year:
This award recognises the work of Doctoral Reps to make the doctoral experience at Bath the best it can be.
Winner: Jon Noble.
Well done to all the winners and those shortlisted!
Guests were then treated to a fully vegetarian dinner consisting of roasted Mediterranean vegetables in filo pastry, baby potatoes and salad. The choice for the Education Awards to be vegetarian this year was influenced by Education Officer, Jacob Withington, and the SU’s desire to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable and was well received by attendees.
After dinner and more music from ChaOS, it was time for the Academic Representation Awards:
Undergraduate Academic Representative of the Year:
Academic Reps make a real difference to our studies, and it’s important to celebrate that. These awards give us the opportunity to recognise the Reps that have gone above and beyond to try and make education at Bath the best it can be.
Winner: Chelsea Pledge, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Postgraduate Taught Academic Representative of the Year:
This award recognises the work of postgraduate taught Academic Reps to make education at Bath the best it can be.
Winner: Diparati Sen.
Diparati later spoke to us about her favourite part of the evening:
‘It was a beautifully arranged event, filled with smiling faces and grateful hearts. Students and staff members give their best all year round and this event recognised their honest efforts. The best part of the event was how the fellow students and staff members cheered on the winners, radiating genuine appreciation and joy!’
Faculty Representative of the Year:
This award recognises the work of postgraduate taught Academic Reps to make education at Bath the best it can be.
Winner: Masha Remskar.
Best Student Representative Team of the Year:
This award recognises how groups of academic reps have worked together to make the experience at Bath the best it can be. Any size group of reps can be nominated for this award.
Winner: Ricky Kahale and Laura Campbell, School of Management.
Outstanding Contribution to Academic Representation (Staff Award):
This award recognises staff who have helped enable students to represent each other academically and supported them to improve their academic experience.
Winner: Dr Matteo De Tina.
A huge congratulations to everyone!
After all the celebrations, guests were treated to Sticky Toffee Pudding or Pear and Chocolate Mousse, followed by more performances from the brilliant ChaOS. Wine was flowing and networking was in full swing as everyone continued celebrating past the end of the ceremony- a sign of a good time had by all if you ask us!
Jacob sums it all up perfectly for us: ' From inspirational speeches from winners reflecting on the past year, to the fascinating conversations had between staff and students involved in Education, it was an uplifting night for all involved.'
Finally, a big thank you to all SU and University of Bath staff who enabled us to facilitate such a wonderful evening of celebration.
Read more about this year’s Education Awards, including the shortlists.