VC Awards 2024: Full list of award-winners

VC Awards 2024: Let's hear from our award-winners!

Each year, the Vice-Chancellor's Awards recognise outstanding individual and team achievements at BSU. This year saw the introduction of four new categories, with all winners awarded a decorative ceramic bowl created by BSU student Ellie Fellows.

If you missed the awards ceremony on 16 May, you can watch the recording on our YouTube channel. Alternatively, you can find the full list of this year's award-winners below.

Academic Achievement

• Benedict Robinson – Art, Film and Media
• Dan Ritter – Music and Performing Arts
• Kimberley Neville – Education
• Maeve Alibocus – Design
• Marcy Polny – Business
• Phoebe Abbott – Science
• Sandra Cybulska – BSU London
• Tyler Callaby – Writing, Publishing and Humanities

I was immensely overwhelmed with joy about the amount of effort put into the evening. It really made me feel recognised and all the hard work worth it. Thank you for such a beautiful evening.

– Maeve Alibocus, Academic Achievement (Design)

The Academic Achievement award is the perfect culmination of my time at Bath Spa. Although academia hasn't always come naturally to me, earning this award demonstrates that hard work truly pays off. 

– Phoebe Abbott, Academic Achievement (Science)

Academic Impact

• Arran Feltham

Winning this award is an incredible honour that fills me with immense pride and gratitude. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and passion I have invested in my academic journey. I am deeply thankful to all the faculty and my peers who inspired me along the way.

This award validates my efforts and motivates me to continue striving for excellence and making meaningful contributions to the academic community. I am excited for the future and eager to further my impact at Bath Spa as the next VP of Education.

– Arran Feltham, Academic Impact

Adobe Creative Award 

• Joseph Hills – student
• Martin Chiffers – staff
• Rose Hiron-Grimes – staff

Alumni Back to Bath Spa

• Kathryn O'Driscoll

I am a proud alumni and love giving back to the spoken word community I found when I was a student.

I am so proud of the teams of poets I have coached over the years and I am so grateful for the University’s support to allow the students to compete in the inter-university poetry slam UniSlam and keep doing so well! Thank you so much!

– Kathryn O'Driscoll, Alumni Back to Bath Spa

Care Dog of the Year

• Daisy – owned by Katy Garner
• Georgie – owned by Emma Weskin

Colleague of the Year

• Mark Cox – academic
• Meg Robertson – professional services

Community Champion

• Francesca Burke – student
• Howl Baer – student
• Norah El-Gohary – staff

Lecturer of the Year

• Meryem Akin

Manager of the Year

• Judith Robinson – academic
• Sarah Priston – professional services

I am so grateful that my lovely colleagues have nominated me and shared such kind words – it really means a lot!

– Judith Robinson, Manager of the Year

I am delighted to have been awarded Manager of the Year at Bath Spa. This is a real accolade to the wonderful work of the Research Support Office team, and to the success of research at Bath Spa University, led by Professor John Strachan.

No success is possible without collaboration, and thanks to all across the university with whom I work so closely, and who have been so supportive over the last year.

– Sarah Priston, Manager of the Year

Outstanding Support

• Emma Hopwood

The nomination was so lovely to receive, and then to win the award was such a surprise.

It feels great that the support that is provided by all my colleagues in Student Wellbeing Services is being represented, and that it's making a real difference to our students.

– Emma Hopwood, Outstanding Support

Professional Creativity 

• Jenni Lewis

One of the brilliant things about working at BSU is that you get to spend your days with amazingly creative, interesting, compassionate, and passionate people.

So, getting such lovely comments about my own work from this community means an enormous amount. I'm very humbled by the praise I received, and I shall work hard to live up to it!

– Jenni Lewis, Professional Creativity

Staff Team of the Year

• PGCE Team – academic
• Student Wellbeing Services – professional services

All staff in Student Wellbeing Services (SWS) are thrilled to receive this award. As the Head of SWS I think the team are fabulous and it is lovely that other people do too.

SWS staff work hard to ensure students are able to access helpful services and they're also incredibly supportive of each other. I feel proud and privileged to work with such an amazing group of people.

– Sara Gallagher, Staff Team of the Year

Student Event

• Spa Does Strictly – Bath Spa Dance Club (Titans)

Student of the Year

• Abigail Newton – Design
• Alice Haley – Science
• Francesca Burke – Writing, Publishing and Humanities
• Jodie Pierson – Art, Film and Media
• Madeline Jones – Education
• Olga Jero – BSU London
• Sabrina Parente – Music and Performing Arts
• Saskia Blizzard – Postgraduate Teacher Education
• Sinead Ormiston – Business

I am so pleased my passion and dedication for the Human Nutrition course and helping others has been recognised. I am grateful to have had this opportunity.

Thank you to my course lead Tracey, lecturers and fellow students. It’s an amazing way to finish three years at Bath Spa.

– Alice Haley, Student of the Year (Science)

I'm so incredibly grateful for this award and really appreciate the support I've been given by my lecturers and all members of staff I've had the pleasure of meeting whilst at BSU!

I'm so glad that my hard work has been recognised, thank you so much.

– Jodie Pierson, Student of the Year (Art, Film and Media)

Thank you to the incredible Education team and my wonderful coursemates for making my degree such a rewarding and transformative experience.

It meant the world to win Student of the Year at the VC Awards, an event which made my face ache from smiling so much about everyone's achievements!

– Madeline Jones, Student of the Year (Education)

I am deeply honoured to be awarded the 2024 Vice-Chancellor's Award. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of my family, colleagues, and devoted tutors. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

– Olga Jero, Student of the Year (BSU London)

I am so honoured and grateful for being nominated, let alone winning this award. I'd like to thank all of my lecturers on the Fashion Marketing and Management course for encouraging me and pushing me above and beyond what I ever thought I could achieve.

– Sinead Ormiston, Student of the Year (Business)

Student Team of the Year

• Bath Spa Women's Rugby

Supervisor of the Year

• Professor James Saunders

Although supervising my amazing PhDs brings its own rewards, it was so affirming and genuinely touching to read what they said in their nominations.

– Professor James Saunders, Supervisor of the Year

Unsung Star

• Jamie McCaskie – professional services
• Phil Griffith – academic