Our Categories

Our categories recognise outstanding achievements and contributions in research innovation, research impact, entrepreneurial excellence, student enterprise projects, interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange partnerships, grant capture, civic engagement, volunteering, and the Vice Chancellor's award for outstanding contributions.

Research Innovation

Research

What we are looking for...

This category recognises individuals or teams who have made outstanding contributions to a specific field of study through their research innovation.

The award will go to the most innovative research project that has the potential to advance the state of knowledge in the field and create new opportunities for further research and development.

Research Impact

Research

What we are looking for...

This category recognises research that has had a significant and measurable impact on society, the economy, or the environment. This could include research that has led to the development of new products, services, or policies, or research that has contributed to advances in knowledge in a particular field.

To be considered for this award, the research must have a clear and measurable impact on the field and should have the potential for future impact. The research should also be able to demonstrate its impact on the society, economy or environment.

Entrepreneurial Excellence (UWTSD Staff Only)

Enterprise

What we are looking for...

This category recognises entrepreneurial staff who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and business acumen in developing and growing a successful project or enterprise.

The award will go to the individual or team who has developed and executed a successful business strategy, and demonstrated a significant impact on industry, economy and society.

Best Student Enterprise Project

Enterprise

What we are looking for...

This category recognises outstanding work done by UWSTD students in the field of innovation, research, or enterprise.

The winning project should demonstrate exceptional creativity, originality, and impact, and should have the potential for further development or commercialisation. The student(s) should have played a key role in the project, and should have been actively involved in the planning, execution, and evaluation of the project.

Best Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Commercial

What we are looking for...

This category recognises a team or project that effectively brings together multiple disciplines to work towards a common goal or solve a complex problem.

The collaboration should demonstrate how the integration of different perspectives, methods, and expertise has led to significant advancements or breakthroughs in the field. This could be a collaboration between researchers, academics, industry partners, or community organisations, and should showcase the impact and benefits of the collaboration to the wider community.

Best Knowledge Exchange Partnership

Commercial

What we are looking for...

This category recognises a successful collaboration between UWTSD and an external organisation, such as a business, government agency, or non-profit organisation, that has led to the transfer of knowledge, skills, or technology.

This partnership should have resulted in tangible benefits for both the university and the partner organisation. The partnership should demonstrate how the different strengths and resources of the university and the organisation were effectively leveraged to achieve shared goals. The partnership should also have a long-term and sustainable impact and should be a model for future collaborations.

Outstanding Achievement in Grant Capture

Commercial

What we are looking for...

This category recognises individuals or teams who have demonstrated exceptional success in securing external funding for their research, innovation, or enterprise projects.

The award will go to the individual or team who has demonstrated exceptional skill in identifying relevant funding opportunities, developing successful grant proposals, and securing funding from external sources. The recipient will have a proven track record of securing significant funding for their projects and will have demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate their research, innovation, or enterprise goals to funding agencies and other external stakeholders. The recipient's work should have the potential for significant impact in their field and should contribute to the broader goals of the University.

Excellence in Civic Engagement

Civic Engagement

What we are looking for...

This category recognises individuals, organisations and teams that have made significant contributions to their communities through their civic engagement efforts.

The award will go to the most impactful and innovative projects that have been successfully implemented and have demonstrated measurable improvements in the community.

Excellence in Volunteering

Civic Engagement

What we are looking for...

This category recognises individuals or organisations that have made outstanding contributions through volunteering and community service.

The award will go to the most impactful and innovative projects that have been successfully implemented and have demonstrated measurable improvements in the community. The award will also recognise the recipient's commitment to building sustainable solutions and creating lasting change in their communities.

Vice Chancellor's Award

Vice Chancellor

What we are looking for...

This category recognises individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the research, innovation, enterprise, civic and industry engagement landscape of the University. The recipient will have demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision, and impact in advancing the university's mission and priorities in these areas.

The award will go to the individual or organisation who has made a lasting and positive impact on the university and beyond, and whose work serves as a model for others to follow.