In 2018/19, the Students' Association introduced the Student Awards – a celebration of incredible student achievements across the University of Edinburgh. This year, the Student Awards return bigger and better!

 

From individual students making a difference to innovative group projects, and from one of a kind events to great leadership and support, the Student Awards are a chance to recognise your friends, course mates, or anyone else who deserves a thank you for all their hard work this year.

 

Watch the Student Awards 2020 online ceremony here.

 

 

See the 2020 shortlist and winners below!

 

 

 

This award recognises student(s) who have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of wellbeing and positive mental health on campus and in the community more widely. The student(s) who receive this Award may have promoted conversations about mental health and wellbeing (perhaps by organising talks or workshops), upskilled other people in mental health and wellbeing, or signposted others to relevant support. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

Edinburgh Nightline Volunteers

Edinburgh University Mental Health and Wellbeing Society

Lissette Avilés Reinoso – School of Health in Social Science

Students on the MSc Transformative Learning and Teaching – Moray House School of Education and Sport

WellMed Peer Support

 

~ Winner ~

Students on the MSc Transformative Learning and Teaching – Moray House School of Education and Sport

 

 

This award recognises collaboration within our university community, through fantastic partnerships between students and staff, either individual collaborations or collaborations between groups. Student-staff teams who receive this Award will have worked together successfully on a given project. The staff member(s) will exemplify active staff involvement and interest in student welfare and development. The student(s) will have worked closely and effectively with the staff to improve their project or to further change within their School, student group or community. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

After Hours Club: Kostas Bantounos and Kasper Buckbee (School of Engineering) with support from Alasdair Christie, Prof John Thompson, and Dr James Hopgood 

Edinburgh University History Society

Helen Michie (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures) and Library Services 

Kathryn (Kat) Brack, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Hay, Emma Wood (Moray House School of Education and Sport) and Dr Katie Cebula, Dr Tracy Stewart, and Frances Griffin

 Matthew Timmons-Brown – Schools of Engineering and Informatics

 

~ Winner ~

Kathryn (Kat) Brack, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Hay, Emma Wood (Moray House School of Education and Sport) and Dr Katie Cebula, Dr Tracy Stewart, and Frances Griffin?

 

 

This award recognises student(s) who have made a significant contribution to our local community outside the University. By working with community groups, volunteering, creating a project or being part of a Society or Committee, they have made a difference to their local community. The student(s) who receive this nomination may have volunteered with local charities or organisations, or created a project or event with a local impact, though nominations are not limited to these activities. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

Best Buddies Edinburgh

David Thomason – School of Engineering

Edinburgh University Classics Society; Literacy Through Latin Program

Jara Mrdja, Mengxuan Zhang, Nirvana Leaver, Olivia Halloran – Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Slurp Edinburgh

 

~ Winner ~

Best Buddies Edinburgh

 

 

This award recognises student(s) who have made a substantial contribution to developing the international community in Edinburgh or overseas. By collaborating with student-led groups, Societies, Committees or completing other extra-curricular activities, they have built global connections and interactions. The student(s) who receive this nomination may have volunteered overseas, created international events on campus and in Edinburgh, supported international connections between students, though nominations are not limited to these activities. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

International and Exchange Student Society

Mathias Jacobsen

MedAID for International Need

Meritxell Brunet Guasch

Sanitree

 

~ Winner ~

Mathias Jacobsen

 

 

This award recognises student(s) who have contributed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, respectful environment on campus. Their work as an individual or with student-led groups has made students from diverse backgrounds feel welcome. The student(s) who receive this nomination may have developed events for students, supported cross-cultural activities on campus, created welcoming spaces and events for a range of students, though nominations are not limited to these activities. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

Edinburgh Bhangra Crew

International and Exchange Student Society

Maisie Palmer – School of Social and Political Science

Meyra Çoban – School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

Zain Hussain / Coexistence Society

 

~ Winner ~

Zain Hussain / Coexistence Society

 

 

This award recognises a student who has made themselves available, and have acted selflessly for a cause they are passionate about. The student who receives this award will be committed to improving the experience and creating a positive environment for all students to feel welcome. Often, they have dedicated substantial amounts of their own time and energy to their projects, and have made a real impact on the lives of others. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

Catherine Welsh – School of Chemistry

Khadija (Didi) Binladen – School of Social and Political Science

Marco Antonio Garcia Mendez – School of Social and Political Science

Poppy Gerrard-Abbott – School of Social and Political Science

Rebecca Rees – School of GeoSciences

 

~ Winner ~

Khadija (Didi) Binladen – School of Social and Political Science

 

 

This award recognises individuals or groups who have made an outstanding commitment to improving the student experience. The student(s) who receive this award will have contributed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, and respectful environment. Their work will make students from all backgrounds feel welcome and contribute to the positive

experience of those around them. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

Association of Women Surgeons Edinburgh

Daniel Mutia – School of Engineering

Dhruti Chakravarthi – School of Social and Political Science

Edinburgh University History Society

Joseph Kleeman, Oliver Kraftman, Helena Irvine – The Broad publication

 

~ Winner ~

Edinburgh University History Society

 

 

This award recognises student(s) who have gone above and beyond in their role by being a Student Leader. The student(s) who receive this recognition will have contributed to the student community through activities such as being a PALS or Peer Support Leader/Mentor, Society Office Bearer or a Representative, though nominations are not limited to these activities. They have created an inclusive and supportive environment in which all students feel welcomed, and represented within their Programme, School or Society. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

Martine Ophelie Irakoze – School of Social and Political Science

Mickey Ferguson – School of History, Classics and Archaeology

Nathan Zou – School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences

Nina Pušic – School of Law

Stav Salpeter – School of Social and Political Science

 

~ Winner ~

Nathan Zou – School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences

 

 

This award recognises student(s) who have made a substantial contribution to developing a sense of community within their context (for example Programme, School or Society). The student(s) that receive this award will work in partnership with Societies, Committees or completing other extra-curricular activities to build connections, interactions and integrating peer groups. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

Brittany Blankinship and Olivia Coombes – School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences

Edinburgh University Jewish Society

Edinburgh University LGBT+ Medics Society

Edinburgh University Linguistics Society

Nathan Zou – School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences

 

~ Winner ~

Edinburgh University LGBT+ Medics Society

 

 

This award recognises students or different student groups who have worked together to successfully create partnerships in a project, event or activity. The students who have collaborated who receive this Award will have worked closely and effectively to create change, improvements or contribute to the student community. Individual students or student groups may have joined forces to make a meaningful change, develop events or community on campus.  

 

The Student Collaboration Award is brought to you by Bright Network. Bright Network is a free to join innovative network of the brightest students and connect them with the best career opportunities. With a focus on quality, their network has grown and now has over 280,000 members.

 

~ Shortlist ~

Dhruti Chakravarthi and Sam Bayliss – School of Social and Political Science

Edinburgh University Feminist Society and PrideSoc – The University of Edinburgh LGBTQ+ Society

Edinburgh University Save the Children Society and UNICEF On Campus

Girl Up Edinburgh and University of Edinburgh African Caribbean Society

PPLS Formal Committee/PPLS Intersocietal Committee

 

~ Winner ~

Dhruti Chakravarthi and Sam Bayliss – School of Social and Political Science

 

 

This award recognises a Peer Learning and Support Scheme that has delivered an outstanding service this year. Projects should have developed a strong, local student community and engaged students in a variety of activities and levels. The group will be organised and purposeful but also responsive to students’ changing needs. In particular, this award is aimed at Schemes that can evidence using new, creative and innovative practices in their programmes. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

BiomedPALS

BioPALS

Brittany Blankinship and Olivia Coombes – School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences PG SolidariTEA

EconPALS

WellMed Peer Support

 

~ Winner ~

WellMed Peer Support

 

 

This award recognises a Programme or Elected Representative whose work has had a significant positive impact on the students they represent. From small changes that make a real difference to students’ everyday lives, to ambitious campaigns that reimagine the student experience, nominees will have consistently and effectively amplified the voices of Edinburgh’s 40,000 students. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

Mariama Diallo – School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures

Meyra Çoban – School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

Nathan Zou – School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

Olivia Coombes – School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences

Rebecca Rees – School of GeoSciences

 

~ Winner ~

Meyra Çoban – School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences

 

 

This award recognises a Society that has gone above and beyond this academic year. Providing a fantastic service to their members, Societies should have proactively engaged with their members, reached out to new students, and delivered numerous varied events throughout the year. Committees will have worked hard to build a sense of belonging and community within the Society, as well as break down barriers to participation to involve students all over campus in their activity. 

 

~ Shortlist ~

Edinburgh University A Cappella Society

Edinburgh University Classics Society

Edinburgh University History Society

Edinburgh University Palestinian-Israeli Dialogue Society (EUPIDS)

Edinburgh University Sustainable Development Association (EUSDA)

 

~ Winner ~

Edinburgh University Palestinian-Israeli Dialogue Society (EUPIDS)

 

 

In partnership with Development and Alumni.

This award recognises a former student who embodies what it means to be uniquely Edinburgh. The nominees and their achievements may not necessarily be well known, but their stories should be shared and celebrated. They are people who are making a difference in ways which aren’t always visible, but whose actions positively affect others. They make us proud to be connected to their passion, their drive and their brilliance.

 

See the winner here.

 

 

*********************************