A celebration of exceptional contributions and impact

The People of CAHSS Awards 2024 (formerly known as the CAHSS Recognition Awards) is a peer award recognition scheme open to all staff working within and across the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS).

Through short-form nominations across nine categories, the scheme provides all staff with the opportunity to publicly and proudly thank and celebrate those that have made a valuable contribution to their community.

For 2024, a record breaking 1830 nominations of exceptional quality were submitted from colleagues in academic, professional services and technical roles, from across a range of career stages.

A total of 66 winners were celebrated at the ceremony held on 28 May in the McEwan Hall.

The awards provide us all with the brilliant opportunity to personally and collectively pause, reflect and let others know what a difference they make. The ceremony is a very proud and joyful occasion to showcase the values and behaviours we stand for as a community, and the people that role model them in all they do.

Professor Sarah Prescott, Vice Principal and Head of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

The Advancing Inclusion Award

• Kate Davison from the School of History, Classics and Archaeology for creating a safe and affirming learning environment for marginalized students and amplifying the voices of colleagues.

• Filipa Melo Lopes from the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences for showing great initiative in creating a new, regular forum for students to discuss important EDI related issues.

• Molly Stubbs from the Edinburgh College of Art for taking the initiative to proactively include and help those who may have different support needs than others.
• Paul Nisbet from Moray House School of Education and Sport for influencing and advancing inclusion by helping pupils with additional support needs to overcome barriers.
• Rachel O'Neill from Moray House School of Education and Sport for ensuring that inclusion and support extends beyond the classroom. From students with disabilities to those with long-term health conditions, their experiences are never compromised.
• The CAHSS Widening Participation Student Ambassador Team for their passion and high-quality advice given to prospective students, and being a source of representation for others.
•  The YARNS Transitions Team in the School of Health and Social Science for their invaluable research and work to improve the care of young adults following a brain injury or stroke. 
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The Pillar of the Community Award

• Fran Emmerson from the School of Social and Political Science for fostering a collaborative culture of creativity and teamwork, inspiring others to strive for excellence.
• Jane Short from the Business School for always having the alumni community’s best interests at heart, as well as the unwavering passion and care she shows to her work and her colleagues.
• Marie Craft from the School of Social and Political Science for her enduring passion and care for the work she does and the people she does it with, raising the spirits and capabilities of those around her.
• Tonks Fawcett from the School of Health in Social Science for being synonymous with nursing at Edinburgh, and supporting generations of students and staff to be the best they can be.
• Alex McKay from the Holyrood Professional Services Team for his exemplary collegial support, patience, mentorship and resolute commitment to his community.
• Alison Jack from the School of Divinity for her shining initiative to bring multiple different communities to life in the service of learning and talking about literature, the Arts, and the faiths.

The Rising Star Award 

• Alex Solomon from the School of History, Classics and Archaeology for her creative and enthusiastic contribution to the school and for creating a brilliant team environment.
• Liz Richardson from the School of Social and Political Science for her enthusiasm, passion and expertise, never failing to lift the morale of her colleagues.
• Gemma O’Sullivan from the School of Health in Social Science for her proactive approach, incredible support and her efforts to foster team spirit.
• Jade Unwin in the Business School for effortlessly making connections with those around her and becoming a source of support and reassurance for many.
• Katie Braid from the Edinburgh College of Art for exceeding expectations, showing great initiative and introducing new and improved ways of working for students.
• Rosane Andrade Silva from the College Office for her can-do attitude and determination, and for inspiring colleagues with her enthusiasm and creativity.
• Dylan Inglis from the School of Literature, Languages and Cultures for his boundless enthusiasm to every project he undertakes, infusing his team with energy and inspiration. 
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The Unsung Hero Award

• Sheila Strathdee from the School of Literature, Languages and Cultures for the care and attention shown to students and staff, and undeniable compassion and generosity.
• Jake Ansell from the Business School for always providing invaluable support to students and colleagues, and always willing to go the extra mile for the communities he is part of.
• Maud Gorissen from the School of Economics for their guidance, support, and for being a quiet force behind impactful contributions that support both colleagues and students.
• Nicki Pakarian from the School in Health and Social Science for being incredibly supportive of colleagues, and for kindness and compassion consistently shown towards all students.
• Rory Dunlop from the School of Divinity for dedication to the school and for always exceeding expectations with a friendly and positive work ethic.
• Jingyi Li from Moray House School of Education and Sport for her generosity, commitment, and unwavering support to students, allowing colleagues and students to see their true selves. 

The Excellence in Teamwork Award

• The HCA Student Support and Experience Team for their inspiring work ethic, compassion and commitment to improving student experience in the school.
• The central operations and servitor team in EFI for individually and collectively delivering the seemingly impossible on a daily basis, providing a welcoming, approachable and supportive atmosphere for all.
• The LLC Student Support Team for the care and kindness they show to their students, colleagues and each other, always armed with positivity and humour even in the most difficult of times.
• The Holyrood Learning Technology Team for their kindness, patience and outstanding dedication in support of every colleague and student.
• The Law School Student Support Team for demonstrating the utmost care for their students, ensuring that each individual is given personalised, holistic support and is treated with respect.
• The EFI Education Team for their commitment to improving course delivery and student experience and for finding workable solutions for any problem.

The Inspiring Manager Award

•  Anna Conroy from the School of Health in Social Science for her happy and bright presence in the team and for creating an environment where everyone feels empowered.
• Jen Watson from the Edinburgh Futures Institute for nurturing a supportive, open, and productive environment, and for being a force behind the wellbeing of the team.
• Michael Gill from the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences for being extremely generous with his time and for being a consistent source of stability and encouragement for all.
• Roisin O'Fee from the School of Divinity for her patience, compassion and unwavering commitment to developing and supporting others.
• Sabine Schliffenbacher from the Business School for supporting and empowering colleagues to succeed with genuine care and empathy.
• Mike Boyd from the Edinburgh College of Art for his support and commitment to inclusion, always ensuring those he manages and works with feel part of the conversation.
• Julie Robertson from the School of Divinity for her warm, open-door approach, and for ensuring recognition is always given to others. 

The Excellence in Leadership Award

• Catriona Pickard from the School of History, Classics and Archaeology for providing excellent leadership during substantial change and being a positive influence to those around her.
• John Devaney from the School of Social and Political Science for creating a respectful, collegial, and supportive working environment and building up the confidence in others.
• Jude Henderson from Edinburgh Futures Institute for the respect, compassion, courage, resilience and self-awareness she demonstrates daily, and for always prioritising the development of others.
• Natasha Collinson from the College Office for her transformational leadership, empowering those around her to do their best and enabling her team to be their authentic selves.
• Omar Kaissi from Moray House School of Education and Sport for his compassion and for always leading by example, demonstrating what prioritising students and their experiences looks like in practice.
• Julie Robertson from the School of Divinity for always leading with honesty and integrity, remaining approachable and friendly regardless of the challenge.

The Community Impact Award

•  Colin Brough from Moray House School of Education and Sport for his work across the last 10 years in setting up, developing, and sharing the peer support system ‘EdBudds’, which now extends to charity and fundraiser events, and continues to have a lasting impact on students across the School.
• Catriona Regan in the College Marketing Team for her work organising a 4-week internship for her mentee at the University, and not just caring about making a difference, but actually going out there and doing it wholeheartedly.
• Darrick Evensen from School of Social and Political Science for creating a strong sense of community amongst students and inspiring and challenging those students to take environmental action in the community.
• The Decolonised Transformations Research and Engagement Working Group for their countless hours of research into the University's relationships with race, past and present, advancing knowledge to advance inclusion for all.
• The Staff BAME Network for creating safe spaces for over 300 UoE staff allowing underrepresented groups to meet, share experiences, and advocate for greater inclusion and diversity. With special thanks to Lauren Hall Lew for collecting on behalf of this incredible network.
• Sarah Hoey from the central legal team for her contribution to developing a more inclusive University community as well as her tireless work supporting colleagues with their immigration-related concerns. 

The Inspiring Colleague Award

•  Andrew Farrer from the Law School for the pivotal role he has played to enable the Edinburgh Law School to deliver not only University and CAHSS policies relating to the employment and support of staff on guaranteed hours contracts, but also to move the School closer to its own aspirations to be an inclusive community for all staff.
• Cathy Holden from the Centre for Open Learning for always being kind, approachable, helpful and dedicated to her colleagues and students. A special recognition for Cathy too as she is retiring in June and has truly enriched the COL community during this time.
• Courtney Stafford-Walter from Moray House of Education and Sport for being an outstanding leader, team player and a good citizen; for lifting her colleagues up and making the work environment a place of support.
•  Amy MacKinnon from the School of Divinity for consistently showing up with joy, enthusiasm and energy for her work and for always being more than willing to help out fellow staff and students. Her knowledge and passion for her role shines through every day.
• Andrew Connor from the Edinburgh College of Art for the progressive and creative ideas that he brings to be table, and for always ensuring everyone feels welcome, valued, and supported.
• Claire Brown from the School of History, Classics and Archaeology for always providing a helping hand and her welcoming and enthusiastic nature, all whilst bonding the team through her hilarious anecdotes and tales of celebrity sightings.
• Donna Hadland from the School of Economics for the genuine care, integrity and respect shown to all students and colleagues. She's always on hand to provide witty banter and pastries when needed.
• Ingrid Heersche from Edinburgh Futures Institute for her resilience, patience and commitment to fostering a welcoming environment, and for making EFI the success it is today.
• Luisa Allan from the School of Health in Social Science for her infectious, positive and professional attitude to her job, and the thoughtful, principled and creative way she approaches everything she does.
• Maria Michou from the University of Edinburgh Business School for her cheerful nature and notes of encouragement, as well the unconditional commitment she shows to her students and their experiences at the University.
• Melanie Smith from School of Literature, Languages and Cultures for being a champion for widening participation students, for her great sense of humour and for always giving time to support colleagues.
• Steve Loughnan from the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences for being a constant source of support to colleagues, offering advice and time to talk through career decisions, whether big or small, and always ensuring everyone feels welcome and valued.
• Marie Storrar from the School of Social and Political Science – brave, bold and expert, and for being integral, longstanding asset to SPS with a genuine passion seeing others succeed.
• Ann Harrison from the College Office for her extraordinary creativity, inspiration, and infectious energy that brightens the workplace. A joy, a legend, a dream, and a sparkle.