Postgraduate Research Excellence Awards
The PGR Excellence Awards celebrate the contributions and successes of all colleagues in our Postgraduate Research community.
Shortlisted candidates will be considered for the annual MDC Excellence Awards (a University-wide opportunity). All nominations should be submitted by email to the FSE Doctoral Academy team using the relevant application form.
Award categories
Below are the categories available for award nominations, as well as information about who can nominate and the nomination deadline:
PGR of the Year
The PGR of the Year nominee should be an outstanding Doctoral researcher who has excelled in some significant manner, for example, after the presentation of a thesis, based on the recommendation and judgment of the external examiner.
They may have had a major research achievement during their PGR programme – for example, high-quality journal publications or a research spin-off.
The shortlisted nominations for this category will also be considered for the President's Distinguished Achievements Award (University-wide).
Nomination information
- Deadline for nominations: Currently closed for nominations
- Who can nominate: Current University staff members
Best Outstanding Research Output
The Best Outstanding Output award recognises research publications of the highest quality and acknowledges the continuing importance of high-quality research to the University.
Criteria
- Research quality and significance: does the output demonstrate innovation, originality, and a high level of academic rigour, contributing substantially to the field?
- Impact and recognition: has the research output received significant recognition, such as publications in high-impact journals, citations, or presentations at leading conferences?
- Relevance to institutional goals: does the output make a positive contribution to the University’s reputation and does it advance knowledge in a key strategic area?
Nomination information
- Deadline for nominations: Check with your Department Head of PGR
- Who can nominate: Current University staff members.
Best Contribution to PGR Environment
The Best Contribution to PGR Environment award recognises outstanding achievement / contribution of an individual towards the enhancement of the postgraduate environment.
Criteria
- Positive impact on the postgraduate community: how has the nominee(s) contributed to building a supportive and collaborative environment, benefiting peers both academically and socially?
- Innovation and creativity: has the PGR(s) demonstrated originality in fostering connections, organising initiatives, or creating resources that enhance the postgraduate experience?
- Inspirational leadership: has the PGR(s) served as a role model, offering guidance, mentorship, or motivation to others in their research journey.
Nomination information
- Deadline for nominations: Check with your Department Head of PGR
- Who can nominate: Current University staff members.
Best Contribution to Internationalisation
The Best Contribution to Internationalisation award will be made to an individual who has demonstrated their ability to work internationally and be an exemplar global citizen and/or a PGR that had driven forward an initiative to enhance the international PGR experience at Manchester.
Criteria
- Promotion of global understanding: has the nominees work fostered cross-cultural collaboration, contributing to international dialogue, understanding, or partnerships?
- Involvement in international initiatives: has the nominee participated in activities, research, or programmes that promote international exchange or positively represent the University on a global stage?
- Building a diverse and inclusive community: has the nominee demonstrated a commitment to creating an inclusive environment for international students and promoting cultural exchange and understanding?
Nomination information
- Deadline for nominations: Check with your Department Head of PGR
- Who can nominate: Current University staff members.
Best Contribution to Society - Local Community
The Best Contribution to Society (Local Community) award recognises an outstanding achievement or contribution of an individual that has offered their time and energy to make a difference to the social and economic well-being of our local communities.
Criteria
- Community engagement: has the nominee demonstrated sustained involvement with local communities, addressing social, economic, or environmental challenges?
- Measurable impact: has the nominees’ contribution had a tangible, positive impact on the community or society, with evidence of outcomes or improvements in quality of life?
- Leadership and initiative: has the nominee shown initiative, leadership, and dedication, in taking responsibility for the success of community or societal projects?
Nomination information
- Deadline for nominations: Check with your Department Head of PGR
- Who can nominate: Current University staff members.
Best Contribution to Society - Research Impact
The Best Contribution to Society (Research Impact) award recognises outstanding the achievement or contribution of an individual whose research has had a positive impact in terms of improvements to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment, or quality of life.
Criteria
- Societal Impact: has the nominee's work led to tangible improvements in areas such as public policy, community well-being, healthcare, environmental sustainability, cultural enrichment, or economic growth?
- Influence and Reach: has the nominee's work had a broad and sustained influence, contributing to long-term benefits and meaningful changes at local, national, or international levels?
- Engagement with Stakeholders: has the nominee actively collaborated with stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, businesses, communities, or NGOs) to ensure their research findings were applied to real-world challenges or needs, maximising its practical impact?
Nomination information
- Deadline for nominations: Check with your Department Head of PGR
- Who can nominate: Current University staff members.
Supervisor of the Year
The nominee should be an individual who has created the most supportive, stimulating and inspirational research environment for doctoral students and trainees.
The qualities the panel will look for in candidates include the following.
- Supportive and stimulating environment: has the supervisor created a research culture that is nurturing, collaborative, and intellectually engaging, encouraging PGR growth?
- Exceptional mentorship: has the supervisor given strong academic guidance, offered personal support, and motivated PGRs to pursue excellence in their research?
- Advocacy and career development: has the supervisor actively promoted their PGRs’ career progression, helped them secure funding, and provided them with networking opportunities and recognition within the academic community?
Nomination information
- Deadline for nominations: 5pm Wednesday 26 March 2025
- Who can nominate: Current University staff members and current PGRs.
- For nominations or queries, email the Doctoral Academy team.
Criteria for nominations
At the time of being nominated for an award, nominees must be registered for a postgraduate research degree at The University of Manchester, be under examination for a postgraduate research degree at The University of Manchester or have completed their doctoral degree within the past twelve months.
Those making a nomination may wish to demonstrate how the nominee has met the criteria for the relevant award as listed below (the list is not exhaustive).
Postgraduate researchers can be nominated for multiple awards, but a separate nomination form must be completed for each award.
Nomination process
Guided by the nomination forms, all nominations MUST be accompanied by
- a statement of support by the nominator (no longer than 500 words anything above this word limit will be disregarded.)
- the name and email address of two additional contacts who are willing to provide additional supporting statements on request. These could be the nominees peers or relevant members of academic or PSS/Library/Cis’ staff
- nominators are asked to provide a very brief summary of the nominee’s achievements i.e. no longer than 120 words. Again, anything above this word limit will be disregarded.
If the nomination is successful these 120 words will be used to form the basis of the citation at the awards ceremony. You are asked therefore to be clear, concise and mindful of the diverse range of people who will be in the audience at this event, particularly when constructing the shorter statement. Please do not use quotes from individuals within this summary.
Note: For the Best Contribution to Society – Local Community award, email addresses from relevant individuals external to the University will be accepted.
Shortlisting
All nominations, with the exception of Supervisor of the Year, will initially be screened by Heads of PGR. They will then be shortlisted by an FSE panel and submitted to the Manchester Doctoral College (MDC).
Previous winners
Dr Elliott Sutton, Faculty of Science and Engineering, PGR of the Year 2023-24
Elliott’s journey as a postgraduate research student has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by ground-breaking research, external recognition, impactful research translation and outstanding contributions as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.
Elliott’s PhD journey is a successful example of multi-disciplinarity and reflects The University of Manchester’s commitment to fostering excellence in research, education and societal impact.
Combining engineering with the science of fluid dynamics and soft matter physics, Elliott developed a novel and robust methodology to describe the flow of complex fluids in the distribution lines of the fast-moving consumer goods industry. This allowed him to address significant technological manufacturing challenges and contribute to accelerating the introduction of superior, lower cost and more sustainable products by providing novel tools for the design of robust manufacturing systems with efficient use of energy and less material waste. His research has received national recognition, winning the 2023 ERCOFTAC Osborne Reynolds Day PhD competition.