ARMA Award Win

 News 

Bath Spa University Team Honoured Nationally for Research Management Excellence and Impact

Thursday, 18 June, 2026

Bath Spa University’s Research Support Office has won the 2026 Research Management Team of the Year award from the national Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA).

The awards ceremony, which took place at the Harrogate Convention Centre on Wednesday 17 June, celebrated excellence and innovation in research management, recognizing outstanding individuals and teams across the UK.

The UK-wide award from ARMA celebrates a research management team of any shape, size and/or scope that has succeeded in working as a robust, cohesive and effective unit, resulting in a significant positive impact on their organisation’s research endeavours, within or beyond the organisation. 

BSU’s Research Support Office has won the award after being named as one of the top four finalists in the country in April, following a competitive national call for nominations from universities and research organisations across the UK. 

BSU’s Research Support Office (RSO) is a multi-skilled team that delivers national-level impact through joined-up research management. They provide end-to-end support across pre-award, post-award, governance, ethics, integrity, impact, and researcher development. They have transformed research culture and infrastructure, embedding sector-leading practices and driving research-led innovation across BSU. 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Kyriaki Anagnostopoulou, who nominated the RSO for the award, said:

This national award reflects the Research Support Office’s role as an engine house of professional creativity at Bath Spa University, powering the inclusive, innovation-intensive research, knowledge exchange and partnerships at the heart of our Strategy 2035. By connecting people, ideas and disciplines, the team enables impactful, real-world research to flourish, which also enriches our teaching, and supports our ambition to be the professionally creative university for the future.

Speaking on the award win, Sarah Priston, Head of Research Support at BSU said:

“This is fantastic recognition for our team that is creative, collaborative and deeply committed to supporting research that makes a difference. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, and excited to keep building an inclusive and impactful research culture at BSU.”

John Strachan, Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise said:

“To be recognised nationally in this way speaks to the critical role our Research Support Office plays in shaping a confident, connected and outward‑facing research environment at Bath Spa. As a driving force of professional creativity, the team enables us to translate ideas into action - building partnerships, supporting innovation‑intensive research, and delivering tangible impact for communities, culture and the wider economy in line with our Strategy 2035 ambitions.”

This national recognition reflects the strength and impact of BSU’s Research Support Office in enabling research that not only drives knowledge exchange and real-world impact, but also enriches teaching, learning, and the distinctive, professionally creative curriculum at the heart of the Bath Spa student experience.

Congratulations to the BSU RSO on winning this prestigious award!