Award Winners 2018
Delivering Excellence award
WINNER – Dr Mark Russell
School of Natural and Built Environment
Mark is the technician in charge of the Materials and Environmental Characterisation laboratory and has over 20 years of technical expertise in supporting teaching and research activities. Staff and students have benefitted from Mark's expertise in cement chemistry and his unconditional support in providing training, interpreting data and maintaining the equipment for their use. Mark has worked as a consultant on more than 80 jobs in recent years and this income is utilised to maintain the equipment in the laboratory. In the past two years he has successfully secured £400K of funding for two separate construction materials projects and has recently secured additional research funding from an industrial partner.
Team of the Year Award
WINNERS – Portering Team, Estates Directorate
Throughout the year, the Estates Portering Team provides a professional service to staff and students in all Schools and Directorates. The positive collaboration by the team with the rest of the University is the key element in the success of functions, events and room set ups across the campus. In particular this year, the Portering Team was instrumental in the success of the 'Twenty Years On: Good Friday Agreement' Conference. The event was just one example of the constant and changing demands in terms of room set ups, arrival schedules and itinerary changes. The team also engages and supports the local community in South Belfast with activities such as the annual Christmas Toy Appeal.
Achieving Ambition Award
WINNER – Katrijn Maguire
Student Plus
As Enterprise Development Officer within the Students' Union, Kat displays a real passion for supporting students in developing their entrepreneurial skills. During the year, she was responsible for leading and further developing the Enterprise Unit. This included delivering 1-1 support to over 150 students interested in starting a business, as well as overseeing a range of programmes and initiatives including QUB Dragon's Den, 'What's the Big Idea' and the Innovateher Programme. She also led a University and SU joint bid to Santander which resulted in Queen's being one of only 15 universities across the UK to receive funding of £50,000 to deliver enterprise support to students at Queen's.
Outstanding Leadership Award
WINNER – Dr Kathryn McNeilly
School of Law
In her role as SWAN Champion in the School of Law, Kathryn led the preparation of the successful SWAN Bronze Award application. Kathryn's leadership of the SWAN process was exemplary and informed by feminist research to develop an innovative approach to gender equality planning. She managed a committee, brought colleagues together towards a joint goal, and developed relationships across the University and beyond. She produced an extensive application document which was recognised by Advance HE as one of the strongest in the round. Kathryn's awareness of and commitment to equality and the transparent manner of her approach has played a very significant role in transforming the working culture within the School.
Community Engagement Award
WINNER – Queen's Gardening Team
Estates Directorate
An integral and vital part of the University, this small team maintains the gardens and grounds across the Queen's estate. The team has implemented a number of practices to increase biodiversity and wildlife which plays a key role in transforming spaces around the local area for the benefit of the wider community. These have included: the Health Sciences Medicinal Garden; a Wellbeing Garden in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; working with the School of Arts, English and Languages in the creation of a small 'sound garden' at the rear of the Music building; and working with the Health Trust to enhance the area around the 'Tree of Kos'. The team has also supported the RSPB Big Schools Bird watch and Give and Gain Day at An Droichead Ormeau Road.
Lifetime Achievement Award
WINNER – Christine Carrothers
Information Services
Christine is a long-serving staff member who has devoted her career to Queen's. In her role running the McClay Library Office, Christine is often the face of the library service, for students, staff and external visitors. She offers an exceptional level of support to these groups and responds, positively and promptly, to a significant number of requests for assistance. By doing this, she makes a major contribution to customer service and to the image of the Library through the unfailingly positive experience of those who interact with her. Christine also manages the annual Information Services Coffee morning, the success of which is testament to her drive and energy as well as her networking and organisational ability.
Special Recognition Award
WINNER – Dr Mark Harbinson
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences
