Last year, new categories were added to the existing awards in research excellence, learning and teaching as we marked the diverse individual talents and collective contribution across a rich breadth of roles and talent in our first collective Ulster Excellence Awards.
From outstanding individuals and teams to the innovators, from the unsung heroes to the rising stars amongst us - each and every contribution makes an impact within our university and beyond. Further new categories this year showcase our global community and the contribution of highly skilled technicians to active learning, research and so many aspects of University and campus life.
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"In our commitment to being a good workplace, and a sustainable and responsible organisation, it's important that we listen to those experiences that make all the difference, value that contribution in all its many shapes and forms and recognise it across a range of roles and disciplines, promoting best practice and inspiring others within our staff community, sharing ideas and acting upon them.It’s also very much part of us working towards a culture where staff feel that they can contribute to the University’s future by celebrating those who help to shape it."
Nomination Guidance
Please review the following guidance before proceeding to make a nomination.
2025 Ulster Excellence Awards Categories
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Outstanding Contribution
1 team award and 1 individual.
This award recognises a team who surpassed the expectations of the University, its staff or students during the past year by going the extra mile –overcoming obstacles or problems to achieve outstanding success while demonstrating a positive attitude, demonstrating the university values, using strong judgment, and utilising good communication skills.
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Excellence in Leadership
1 individual award.
Excellence in Leadership (1 individual award) This award recognises excellence in leadership during the past year for a leader who has strongly demonstrated the university values and the attributes of the BRAVE framework. A leader who has gone over and above for both the people they lead, and in contributing to the University strategy People Place and Partnership.
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Unsung Hero
1 individual award.
This award recognises an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to the University but whose contribution and role often goes unrecognised. They show dedication and commitment to their role and make a genuine difference to others.
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Rising Star
1 individual award.
This award will go to someone who has been within the University for less than 2 years, but in that time has really made an impact. This might be through supporting colleagues, displaying excellent student support/service, or innovating for the benefit of staff and or students.
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Sustainability
1 team or individual award.
This award is for an individual or a team who has demonstrated a commitment to advancing the University's sustainability agenda demonstrating understanding, innovation and influence in the area of sustainability/sustainable development activity or practices within the workplace.
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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
1 team or individual award.
This award is for teams or individuals who embrace the principles of Ulster University's approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion by promoting a work environment that is collaborative, understanding and of mutual respect.
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Technician Commitment
Individual Award.
This award recognises a technical member of staff who clearly demonstrates pride and passion within the University. They have made an impactful contribution to the university and students learning through participation teaching and demonstration, research participation and supporting students. Striving to promote and advance the technician profession, promoting excellence and actively demonstrating the University Values.
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Global Community Award
Individual or Team.
This award recognises an outstanding team or individual who make a significant contribution to the University’s international objectives and exemplify the principles of Ulster University's People, Place and Partnership strategy. These are colleagues who both enhance Ulster’s global reach, reputation and impact, and make a genuine difference to the global experiences, competencies, success and outcomes of all our students and PhD Researchers.
Judging Process
There will be a 2-stage judging process, all judging criterion and process will be made clear at the application submission point.
Stage 1: All nominations will go through this stage
- Panel: membership will be from within ODPD
- Ambition: to shortlist the award applications for each category to between 3 to 5 finalists
- Shortlisting process: Evidence of the judging criterion being demonstrated in the application assessed through the key on marking sheet
- Shortlisted nominations will be determined by a panel consensus mark following individual assessment and discussion. Nominees with the highest numerical values will be shortlisted. Where there is a tie, the panel will revisit the marking to review allocations, where no agreement can be reached to adjust the scoring all nominations with the same score will go through to the next judging stage.
Stage 2: All shortlisted finalists will go through this stage
- Panel: Senior Leaders from across the Organisational
- Judging process: Evidence of the judging criterion being demonstrated in the application assessed through the key within the marking sheet
- Winners will be determined by the highest numerical value awarded form the combination of the panel members scores. Where there is a tie, the panel will revisit the marking to review allocations, where no agreement can be reached to adjust the scoring, the award will be given as a joint winners.