The annual review, celebration and awards for the Bringing Research to Life Roadshow took place on Wednesday 18th November 2015.
The Awards were presented by Professor Judith Petts, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise), Chair of the Engaged University Steering Group.
RESEARCH COMMUNICATOR AWARDS
- Shona Waddell (Medicine)
From the Award citation: "This researcher is able to communicate a deep, expert knowledge of their field to all, and they can switch seamlessly from a high-level discussion with experts from other institutions to an inspiring intro for young children. We think is someone to watch in the field of research communication."
- Clark West (Psychology)
From the Award citation: "Consistently able to give engaged and considered responses to both the most direct and the most left-field questions, this researcher brings a natural calm to the Roadshow. "
- Leran Wang (Engineering)
From the Award citation: "A big part of what makes [each activity] work is having seamless connections between the various elements of [that] activity. Seeing this researcher in action on their stand, we noticed immediately that the design completely supported the public interaction, and we wanted to recognise that aspect of research communication."
- Jack Keum (Engineering)
From the Award citation: "The award recognises a creative spark that generated conversations about research long after people left the stand they were visiting. [An award for] our 3D-printing guru."
- Sadie Jones (Physics & Astronomy)
Award citation: "This is someone who [opens] up whole new directions for collaborations and activities. This researcher has a very clear understanding of public audiences and she has an impressive track record both on and off the Roadshow of finding just the right concept, gadget or handout that will work in a given context. [...] an extroardinary science communicator."
CREATIVE ACTIVITY DESIGN AWARD
- The Administrative Data Research Centre – England (ADRC-E) team
From the Award citation: "[Awarded] in particular for their completely engaging Guess Who? flip-board concept."
BEST HOST AWARD
- Winchester Science Festival
From the Award citation: "The Best Host Award this year goes to an organisation of committed volunteers, for the second year running (unprecedented!)."
BEST COLLABORATION AWARD
- Ben Ward and the Winchester Science Centre production team
From the Award citation: "[We often] work with individuals who, because of their skills, knowledge or contacts can broker a new relationship with the public for us where the Roadshow just wouldn’t have the skills, knowledge or credibility on our own. The winners of this award were involved directly with 2 of our research teams, engaged in a creative dialogue that took things to another level. They make things – and they are very, very, good at it."
ROADSHOW SUPPORT AWARD
- The Faculty of Engineering and the Environment finance team
From the Award citation: "This award goes to a team who have been with us from the start, have been consistently positive about the Roadshow concept, and have done their absolute best to find ways to deal with some intractable problems. ... we have really valued their support."
INNOVATION & DEVELOPMENT AWARD
- #sciroom
From the Award citation: "This year it goes to a team for a distinctive innovation, bringing their own style of research communication onto the Roadshow."
WOW FACTOR AWARD
- Erich Graf and the Visual Illusions team (Psychology)
From the Award citation: "...for their brilliant instance of the classic Beuchet Chair illusion."
OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT AWARDS
- Kyle Mayers, Steven Bourne, Anna Belcher (Oceanography)
These are in recognition of people who, in one way or another, have gone way beyond what we could reasonably expect, so they are also our formal ‘thank you’.
BEST ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITY AWARD
- Jon Dawson and the Stem Cells team (Medicine/Engineering)
From the Award citation: "Starting with what is basically a giant and rather wonderful marble run, this team have used it as a base to discuss the complexities of stem cell pluripotential and to connect the core science of stem cells to a wide range of research fields that cross divides between biology, medicine and engineering. It helps of course that the large team seem to work particularly well together and that the lead researcher is an inspired science communicator."