The University community has been shortlisted in three categories in the Herald Higher Education Awards 2022, announced today.
Celebrating the extraordinary things that are going on in universities and colleges across Scotland, the awards highlight innovation in teaching and explore how colleges and universities market themselves, support students and engage with employers, as well as recognising those amazing students who make a significant contribution to student life as well as academia.
David Mercieca and Astrid Lucia Offersen have been shortlisted for the hotly-contested Outstanding Contribution from a University Student Award.
David, a third year BSc Neuroscience with Psychology student, has served as the medical sciences convener, vice-chair for student council and vice-chair for the Students’ Association education committee, and the Institutional Student Lead for the Scottish Enhancement Theme. David has always shown interest in academia, pedagogy and the strategic initiatives, making him an invaluable asset to the student community.
Astrid is a fourth year Anthropology and International Relations student. She has shown her constant commitment with improving students’ lives at the University, with special emphasis on those with protected characteristics. As a member of the BAME Students’ Forum Astrid has played an essential role in organising academic, philanthropic and leisure activities to engage students and the wider community, is heavily involved in the organisation of Fresher’s and Refreshers’ Fayres and has also been a part of the Student Council participating in many of its meetings and debates.
Professor Peter Smith is shortlisted for the Research Project of the Year Award for the Cool Farm Tool (CFT) app, an online calculator for farmers to calculate the farm gate carbon footprint and environmental impact of farm produce to inform farming and field-level management decisions, based on robust quantification methods.
A decision-support tool, the CFT is designed to empower farmers and companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, to protect soil organic matter and fertility and reduce environmental impact from crop and livestock production.
Finally, the campaign around COP26 has seen the University shortlisted for the Marketing / PR Campaign of the Year. Involving a number of teams, our activities throughout the global event attracted 800 people to our events, organic reach of our Facebook posts of over 500,000 users and double our normal engagement rate on Twitter. Overall, the University or its work was discussed in 13.5 million public conversations online.
Professor Ruth Taylor, Vice-Principal of Education, said: “These awards help to build future excellence by facilitating the sharing of good practice and strengthening the status of learning and teaching in the Scottish higher education sector.
“It is a fantastic achievement to have had the hard work and commitment of our staff, our researchers and our students recognised across three different categories. They are already all winners in our eyes and we wish everyone the best of luck for the big night.”
The Herald Higher Education Awards 2022 will take place on May 31 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Glasgow.