The second annual Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences (HSS) Placements Awards ceremony was held on campus last week. The inaugural 2021 Placement Awards were hosted online – this year’s in-person event provided an opportunity to celebrate the significant successes of the students, and thank the placement employers for their incredible support shown throughout the year.

The awards were devised by the placements team, who manage over 900 placements for HSS students each year. Award categories enabled staff and employers to vote for students, and for students to vote for employers and members of staff they felt supported them during their time on placement. Nominations were collated as students came to the end of their placement. Almost 200 combined nominations were submitted, giving the panel the extremely difficult decision of choosing the winners. This was no mean feat given the exceptionally high quality of the nominations. In fact, the nominations were so impressive that a new category needed to be created, that of Highly Commended Students.

Over fifty were in attendance on the night, ranging from student winners, employer winners, employers that nominated students, and students that nominated employers, as well as HSS staff members. The evening started with a drinks reception in the Chancellors' Building, giving attendees the chance catch up with friends and contacts made during the year, and reminisce about the times spent on placement. With bubbles, canapes and conversation enjoyed, attendees headed to CB 2.6 for the main event, the awards ceremony.

As a hybrid event, other students and employers joined the celebrations virtually. Student winners received a certificate and a £50 Amazon Voucher, whilst Highly Commended students and employers received certificates.

Martin Gore, Placements Manager hosted the evening, assisted by Victoria Maskell, Placements Officer. Employers and students that attended in person came to the stage to collect their certificates and say a few words, whilst those attending remotely were projected onto the screen.

Feedback on the night was overwhelmingly positive:

"As an employer it was a good opportunity to fully appreciate what contributions students can make and hence the mutual benefit a placement brings."

"The placements team presenters were fantastic. There was a wonderful atmosphere and it was a really well organised event. Great to hear all the different stories about the difference that placements are making to students and employers. Very uplifting, thank you to everyone who organised it!"

"Thank you for the invite and the prize! It was lovely to be recognised"

Our sincere congratulations go out to all the winners and nominees. The HSS Placements Team will be growing the awards for next year, so keep your eyes peeled for information on the 2023 event.

Full list of winners:

Student Winners

Economics Placement Student of the Year - Tia Vanderput

Education Placement Student of the Year - Aaron Giuliano

Health Placement Student of the Year - Ella Burfitt

Language Year Abroad Student of the Year - Daniel Wilcock

Politics Placement Student of the Year - Ewa Ward

Psychology Placement Student of the Year - Caitlin Illingworth

Social & Policy Sciences Placement Student of the Year - India Hampson

Going Above and Beyond - Fenella Tee and Amber Fremaux

Enhanced Employability of the Year - Louis Dowse

Most Resilient Student of the Year - Amber Snary

Outstanding Contribution of the Year - Richard Lee

Highly Commended Students

Highly Commended Psychology Placement Student of the Year - Cassy Revaj

Highly Commended Language Year Abroad Student of the Year - Katie Lilley

Highly Commended Politics Placement Student of the Year - Abbey Marchington

Highly Commended Health Student of the Year - Chiara Andreotti

Highly Commended Economics Placement Student of the Year - Jo Gunner

Highly Commended Going Above and Beyond - Tosia Ciszek, Alicia Mortimer and Sam Booth

Highly Commended Enhanced Employability of the Year - Amy Hillier, Edward Robson, Lucy Ransom and Rose Johnston

Highly Commended Most Resilient Student of the Year - Laura Lan Anh Foster, Lucy Acheson and Hollie Hymas

Highly Commended Outstanding Contribution of the Year - Jasmine Iley, Lydia Rowan and Rosie Empson

Staff Winner

Staff Member of the Year - Cait Kirkpatrick, Placements Officer

Employer Winners

Corporate Placement of the Year - Hansuke

Charity or NGO Placement of the Year - London Sport

Education Placement of the Year - Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE)

SME or Start Up Placement of the Year - Kane HR

Clinical or Health Placement of the Year - Emma Evans at Oxford University Hospitals Clinical Health Psychology Department

Public Sector or Government Placement of the Year - Nicola Sides at British Army

International Placement of the Year - SotoTennis Academy

Research Placement of the Year - BVA BDRC