Each year the University recognises the importance of its doctoral research through Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Prizes. The prizes are awarded to a supervisor or supervisory team who have demonstrated exceptional performance and conduct in doctoral supervision. There are 5 prizes:

University Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Prize

Faculty/School Prizes:

• Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Prize (Faculty of Engineering & Design)
• Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Prize (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)
• Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Prize (Faculty of Science)
• Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Prize (School of Management)

These prizes celebrate excellence in supervision and also recognise the diversity of doctoral programmes that exist across the University.

Eligibility

These prizes are open to all academic and research staff who can demonstrate excellence in the supervision of doctoral students, with successful completion of at least four doctoral students registered at the University of Bath to date of nomination.

Nominations for the prizes are considered by the Prize Committee and shortlisted at Faculty/School levels. Nominations will be shortlisted by the home Faculty/School of the nominee(s). If a supervisory team consists of supervisors from more than one Faculty/School, nominations will be shortlisted by the home Faculty/School of the lead supervisor.

Nominations can only be made for the Faculty/School Excellence in Doctoral Supervision prizes. The Prize Committee will select one of the nominations for the University Excellence in Doctoral Supervision prize. The winner(s) of the University Excellence in Doctoral Supervision will not be considered for any of the Faculty/School prizes.

Previous prize winners are not eligible to be considered again, but previous nominees who didn't win may be nominated.

Awards criteria

These prizes recognise exceptional performance and conduct in doctoral supervision. The University expects that an excellent supervisor or supervisory team will be able to demonstrate contributions to the objectives of the Doctoral Strategic Implementation Plan, namely:

• Enhance the doctoral experience through an inclusive and engaged research culture.
• Increase doctoral performance and submission rates.
• Improve doctoral students’ skills and employability.
• Increase the number of doctoral students in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

How to nominate a supervisor

Members of staff and students can nominate individual supervisors, or a supervisory team. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Nominations must be supported by evidence of the nominee’s dedication to the supervision of doctoral students and their accomplishment in research.

Submit a nomination form to recommend an individual supervisor or supervisory team for the Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Prize. Nominations open on Monday 5 February 2024.

The closing date for nominations is Sunday 25 February 2024.

What next?

When you submit your nomination form, we will contact the individual or team to confirm their willingness to progress to the next stage. At this point, we will ask for:

• nominees to provide a statement of not more than 1000 words giving at least one example of how they meet each of the criteria
• the nominee’s Head of Department or School to write a statement of support of no more than 200 words, which gives evidence of how the nominee meets the criteria
• students to provide a statement of between 100 and 200 words. At least three student statements are required for each nominee; these can include the nomination itself, if made by a student.

Complete, eligible nominations and supporting statements will be considered by Directors of Doctoral Studies in the Faculties and School, Associate Deans for Research, and by a Panel chaired by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), held in April. The Chair will report the panel’s conclusions to the University Doctoral Studies Committee and Senate.

The winners will receive £1,000 in prize money and a trophy. The prize money will be paid through the payroll and will be subject to PAYE.