Over 100 colleagues came together on 30 June 2026 for the Faculty of Engineering and Design’s Research Culture Awards. For the third year running, this joyous occasion celebrated the exceptional efforts of staff and students, each of whom help to shape a positive, inclusive, and collaborative research environment.

Open to all PhD students and staff involved in research across the faculty - including academic, research, technical, and professional services colleagues – the organisers were delighted to receive an unprecedented 145 nominations this year.

Associate Dean for Research and event host, Professor Chris Bowen, said:

Each year the nominations get greater, and the judging gets harder, which is testament to the exceptional quality of our people and their support for one another - as well as the collective work in developing our positive research culture. The results are wonderful to see.

“Get the culture right and all success will follow”

Opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Design (FED), Professor Tim Ibell remarked on how the awards are a wonderful opportunity to bring the faculty together to recognise and celebrate each other, without expectation of anything in return.

Tim’s mantra of “Get the culture right and all success will follow” highlights the commitment and importance placed on improving research culture by the faculty. And the benefits are now being felt by many - at both an individual and collective level.

Tim also thanked technicians Gary Barter, Joshua Barnes, and Oliver Williams, who created the award trophies from offcuts found around the workshops, making them both highly sustainable and unique prizes for each recipient.

View all the photos from the event here.

Recognising exceptional people

Participants enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea while chatting and reading excerpts from the nominations. Here are a few of the inspiring words written about colleagues:

  • “Irrespective of his busy schedule, he is always happy to help and if he can't solve your problem, he is always there as a good listener”
  • “Anyone who asks for help is met with enthusiasm and patience”
  • “Everyone in the group has a safe sense of belonging and always feel supported”
  • “Beacon of positivity in our department”
  • “Her dedication to inclusion and collegiality makes her an inspiring figure, encouraging others to contribute to a thriving and supportive community”
  • “After every meeting, I leave with renewed confidence, ambition, and a clearer sense of direction”
  • "The mentoring I received from him made me a better researcher and a more confident person”

How do you celebrate research culture?

Does your faculty, institute, or centre recognise or celebrate research culture? The Faculty of Engineering and Design first launched their awards in 2024 with support from the Enhanced Research Culture Fund.

As part of the University’s strategic Research Culture Action Plan, everyone is encouraged to recognise and celebrate their staff and research culture.

Please contact the Research Culture team if you’re interested in learning more about the awards, or how to launch something similar for your area.

Congratulations to all the winners

Recogniser Award

Presented by Marcelle McManus to:

  • Kris Price
  • Alexander Lunt

Research Culture Champion Award

Presented by Anna Young to:

  • Richard Burke
  • Bart Filmer Cox

Good Citizen Award

Presented by Loretta Gibson to:

  • Juliana Calabria-Holley
  • Maddy Strickland
  • Richmond Afeawo

Good Listener Award

Presented by Pedro Estrela to:

  • Jess Ohren
  • Minu Bahrami

Mentor Award

Presented by Sukumar Natarajan to:

  • Taghried Abdelmagid
  • Evelyn Hu
  • Tristan Kershaw

Inclusion Champion Award

Presented by Corwin Wright to:

  • Thayalan Kalaiselvan
  • Zina Abdula

Generous Leader Award

Presented by Tim Ibell to:

  • Xiaoze Pei
  • Susan Bernal Lopez

Radically Curious Award

Presented by Sam Akehurst to:

  • Oli Fryatt
  • Christopher Vagg

Team Research Culture Award

Presented by Dave Wood to the ChemEng Technical Team:

  • Sarah Hunter
  • Elizabeth Marsden
  • Tyrone Falls
  • Paul Frith
  • Wayne Gaston
  • Siyi Liu
  • Robinson Novemen
  • Esther Townsend
  • Sara Crew
  • Suzanne Barkley
  • Rebecca Sie

Open Research Champion Award

Presented by Jenny Baker to:

  • Furong Li

Local Hero Award

Presented by Paul Shepherd to:

  • Wafaa Al-Shatty
  • Sophia Coe
  • Fionna Pettengale
  • Antonio Jose Exposito

Click here to view the full list of nominees.