Students and staff from the Politics department featured prominently at the University of Liverpool’s Guild of Students Awards 2016, held on Monday, 9 May in Mountford Hall.
Seven current Politics students were shortlisted for their contribution to student life on campus, either as individuals or for the leadership they have shown in running student societies. Three of these seven Politics students took away awards for their work over the past academic year.
Hannah Gale (BA Politics, Year 3) was shortlisted for Society Individual of the Year and, as President of Bake Soc, was the joint winner of the Best Sharing Activity Society award. Jennifer Shaw (BA Philosophy and Politics, Year 3) was shortlisted for Activist of the Year and, as President of LGBT+, took the award for Best Affecting Change Society of the Year together with fellow committee members, including Cameron North-Bates (BA Combined Honours, Politics and Geography, Year 3).
Commenting on the award of the Affecting Change Society of the Year award to LGBT+, the judges noted that the society had 'organised fantastic events, campaigns, and educational sessions. Their drive to eliminate stigma on campus surrounding sexuality and gender issues has been amazing'.
Nick Hobbs (BA International Politics and Policy, Year 3) was shortlisted for Most Impact on the Community Award (Individual) while Carenza Arnold (MA International Relations and Security) was shortlisted as President of STAR (Student Action for Refugees) for the Most Impact on the Society Award (Society/Group).
Niamh Davis (BA Politics, Year 3), Charity Coordinator of the Feminist Society, joined her fellow committee members on the shortlist for Affecting Change Society of the Year Award and Tom Marchant (BA Politics with History, Year 2) was part of the team from the Sphinx newspaper shortlisted for Student Media Society of the Year.
It's amazing to receive recognition from the Guild for all the hard work myself and my committee have put in over our time at university, this is the second we've won the award which is an absolutely incredible feeling. The society has brought together so many students who would never normally interact with each other over a shared love of baking and a commitment to fundraising-we've raised over £7,000 since 2013! It was wonderful to see so many fellow Politics students at the ceremony from fellow nominees, to student trustees and two of the current Guild officers who are Politics alumni − it shows how passionate Politics students are about getting involved in, and helping to improve the University experience for as many students as possible.
- Hannah Gale
Meanwhile, the Teacher of the Year Award shortlist for Humanities and Social Sciences was dominated by Politics, with both Dr Neil Gavin and Dr Stuart Wilks-Heeg on the shortlist of three for the whole Faculty. Dr Gavin won the award in recognition of his innovative, research-led teaching on topics relating to the media, the internet and climate change coverage.
Neil was recognised for having 'gone the distance to make his research accessible and engaging to his students. His collaborative, interactive and encouraging approach to teaching has ensured students have an excellent learning experience, not just from their lecturer, but from their fellow students as well.'
I was both surprised and absolutely delighted to be nominated by the students for this award. It’s a great privilege to teach our students. They inspire us to go the extra mile to make our topics engaging and interesting.
- Neil Gavin
I’d like to congratulate all the shortlisted nominees and winners from Politics. I’m immensely proud of how well Politics was represented at the awards ceremony and the evening really underlined the amazing and diverse contribution that students in this department make to all aspects of university life.
- Stuart Wilks-Heeg