Vice-Chancellor's Awards
We recognise and celebrate outstanding members of the Bath Spa community.
#BathSpaProud
In partnership with the Students' Union, the VC Awards aim to recognise outstanding individual and team achievements at our University. The awards take place annually, with nominations generally opening in the new year and closing in spring. The winners are announced at the awards ceremony in the summer.
Everyone at Bath Spa can nominate staff members and students that they feel have made outstanding contributions to the University community. Each nomination will be assessed by an awards panel comprising staff from across the University, Sabbatical Officers from the Students' Union and student representatives.
Award categories
Student Awards
This award recognises the impact students have had on the learning experience; whether that be as a Rep, working to improve the course, supporting other students or working to enhance resources.
It recognises students who have worked to create conditions to make studying at Bath Spa the best it can be.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
This award recognises the work that students do for the lives of others outside of their studies. It recognises the work students have done supporting you and/or others throughout student life such as housing, friendships, life-changing experiences, settling in, inspiring and supporting others.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
This award recognises students who have made a difference in their community. It recognises volunteers, fundraisers, and people who campaign on behalf of those in need.
This award recognises inspirational students who put others before themselves, bring the community together and make a difference.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
Awarded to a student team or group that has made a significant contribution to their peers, Bath Spa University or the wider local community. This could be a sports team, club, society, or group, who have demonstrated a collective achievement and positive contribution.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
Awarded to a student who exemplifies the University’s graduate attributes. There will be seven winners – one for each school of study.
Please note the nominations for this award are made within each School of Study and then carefully selected by the Head of School.
Awarded to a student who has travelled furthest in their learning journey. There will be seven winners - one for each school of study.
Please note the nominations for this award are made within each School of Study and then carefully selected by the Head of School.
Staff Awards
Awarded to a member of staff who has enhanced a culture of respect, engagement and integrity in the University through their enjoyment of work and their promotion of friendliness and collegiality.
This award focuses on the attributes of the person rather than the job role that they perform. This award is open to any member of staff from the University or Students' Union, regardless of team or role.
There will be six finalists and two winners for this award – a winner from academic staff and a winner from professional services (including Students' Union) staff.
Who can nominate: Staff
Awarded to a member of staff who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and management, which is reinforced by excellent results in their area of responsibility.
Any individual that has formal responsibility for other staff members can be nominated in this category, this includes staff from the Students' Union. Nominations are welcomed for those who lead teams both large and small, operating at all levels of the University.
There will be six finalists and two winners for this award – a winner from academic staff and a winner from professional services (including Students' Union) staff.
Who can nominate: Staff
Awarded to a member of staff who quietly makes a significant impact on the success and day-to-day running of the University. This award is for any member of the University staff who deserves recognition for their hard work.
There will be six finalists and two winners for this award – a winner from academic staff and a winner from professional services (including Students' Union) staff.
The finalists for this award will be shared and the winners voted for and chosen by the whole Bath Spa community after nominations close 31 March.
Who can nominate: Staff
Awarded to a member of staff who has, in the opinion of the student nominators, demonstrated outstanding and inspirational teaching.
This might be evidenced in a number of ways, for example through innovative teaching methods, creating an inclusive learning community, challenging students to develop new skills, knowledge and abilities, and embedding social responsibility and global issues into the curriculum.
Who can nominate: Students
Awarded to a postgraduate supervisor who has, in the opinion of the student nominators, demonstrated outstanding and inspirational research supervision.
Who can nominate: Students
Awarded to a member of staff who has, in the opinion of the student nominators, demonstrated outstanding support and went above and beyond to enhance the experience for students.
This might be evidenced in a number of ways, for example through technical support provided, support for student wellbeing, careers advice, library and learning support, advice and support provided by a member of staff from the Students' Union, service in the catering outlets etc. The nominee can be any member of the University or Students' Union staff.
Who can nominate: Students
Awarded to a member of staff who has shown a commitment to championing the student's voice and making positive changes at Bath Spa University. This could be a member of staff from the Students' Union or a member of staff from within the University that you believe has collected and acted on student feedback to make positive changes.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
This award recognises staff who have made a positive contribution that addresses a social challenge. Their contribution could include putting people, community or the environment at the heart of their work; whether that be through their research, teaching, building partnerships, or engaging with the local community. This award recognises inspirational staff members who make a difference in the lives of our students, staff, community or planet.
Who can nominate: Staff
Team Awards
Awarded to a team of staff who have made a significant contribution to the overall success of the University during the past year.
The nomination for this award will need to demonstrate how the team goes beyond 'business as usual', consistently delivers best practices, and is ready to innovate, keen to improve and make a difference to the University. It might be that this team has met a challenge head-on and improved the way they work or the service they offer as a result.
There will be six finalists and two winners for this award – a winner from academic staff and a winner from professional services (including Students' Union) staff.
Who can nominate: Staff
Teaching Awards
Awarded to a team, or individual staff member, who has shown innovation in their teaching practice at the University during the past year. This award is for all staff that teach, including those who run professional service sessions or staff development sessions.
The nomination should recognise staff or teams whose innovative contributions in the learning and teaching space have demonstrably impacted students' teaching and learning, potentially including beyond their immediate academic or professional area. This could be digital tools, organisational, content or systems used to deliver the learning objective or used in an innovative way to teach inclusively or accessibly.
There will be three finalists and a winner for each award (Team/Individual).
Who can nominate: Staff
Other Community Member Awards
Awarded to a Bath Spa alum who has made a significant contribution to the overall success of the University during the past year.
The nomination for this award should describe how an alum has given ‘Back to Bath Spa’ in any aspect of the community, for example mentoring, creating opportunities for Bath Spa students or grads, or simply has supported us in our activities, e.g. given up their time for panels, or to come and guest lecture.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
Awarded to the care dog (and owner) who has made a significant contribution to the wellbeing of students and staff.
The nomination for this award should demonstrate why this particular care dog was the best for example at making you smile, feel at ease, or simply melted your heart.
Who can nominate: Students and staff
Save the date
This year's Vice-Chancellor's Awards will be held on Thursday 25 May.
Nominations will open on Monday 27 February and close on Friday 31 March.
Finalists will be informed soon after the closing date. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 25 May by the Vice-Chancellor and Students' Union President.