EPS Societies' Awards - Award categories

This Award recognises those sportspeople who have shown commitment and enthusiasm in their discipline. They are motivational personalities, generous with their time in supporting their teammates, and encourage the continual development of their team.

Who always goes above and beyond in their sport? These individuals show true commitment and enthusiasm for their sport or team, and won’t give up when it gets tough. They don’t need to have won medals or be the best of the best (though they can be), but they do need to love getting involved.

Only individuals can be nominated for this Award.

Nominate now using the Sports Personality of the Year Nomination Form.

This Award celebrates sports teams within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences that are acknowledged as inclusive and tight-knit. These teams can be part of a school, society, or entirely independent. They work exceptionally well as a team, play to the strengths of all members, stick together whether they win or lose, promote sporting excellence and encourage healthy competition.

Support your team using the Sports Team of the Year Nomination Form.

This Award recognises exceptional, inclusive and original or evolved events. They encourage attendees to learn a new skill or meet new people, are informative or inspirational, and offer unique and engaging opportunities to society members. These events are impactful, whether they empower one person or 100, are well-organised and support the student experience within the College or wider University.

Has your society organised an exciting or unique event this academic year? Whether it’s a careers fair with professional speakers, a fundraising activity, sporting event, trip, competition, conference, or something a bit different events all require a great deal of effort and commitment.

Individuals, sub-committees and entire societies can be nominated for this Award.

This Award recognises individuals who have committed themselves to a cause, activity, or event for the greater good of their society, University, or wider community. They have consistently dedicated their time and effort in a selfless manner to help others succeed in their goals, overcome challenges, and undertake tasks by making valuable contributions that have positive impact.

Do you know someone who is always the first to offer help? Within a society there's often someone who's always keen to get involved. Many society members dedicate their spare time to helping others both on and off campus; some volunteer with charities either fundraising or raising awareness, whilst others offer valuable support to those in need.

Only individuals can be nominated for this Award.

This Award recognises the dedication of those who work to deliver outreach activities to local schools or the general public. Those volunteering see it as part of their role as a student to inform and educate on a multi-generational level and are actively involved in sharing discovery.

There is the possibility of awarding a Continued Excellence in Outreach Award at the judges’ discretion. This Award would recognise the same criteria as listed above but over a sustained period of time, and would be in addition to the Award for achievements of the 2020/21 academic year.

Does your society or someone you know work with local schools and organisations to provide educational opportunities for younger students, or organise events that engage the general public? Through school visits, public lectures, mentoring, exhibitions or workshops, our societies and students are fantastic ambassadors for the College.

Individuals, sub-committees and entire societies can be nominated for this Award.

This Award recognises individuals or societies who reach out to every member of the University community, going above and beyond to ensure everyone is equally involved and represented. Their actions are changing the culture of the University and instilling the values of equality, diversity and inclusion in the foundations of their society.

One of the most important parts of running a society is ensuring that everyone is included. Who do you know, either society or individual, who goes above and beyond to reach out to people and get them involved?  Perhaps selecting a diverse range of guest speakers or running regular non-drinking socials, campaigning for change or championing inclusivity across the student body. These society members actively encourage a wide variety of people with a huge range of interests to participate at every event.

Individuals, sub-committees and entire societies can be nominated for this Award.

This Award recognises individuals or societies whose success in forging industrial links has had a significant impact on their fellow students. Their activities encourage skills development and employability, offer an insight into possible careers paths and support the transition from education to employment.

There is the possibility of awarding a Continued Excellence in Industrial Award at the judges’ discretion. This Award would recognise the same criteria as listed above but over a sustained period of time, and would be in addition to the Award for achievements of the 2020/21 academic year.

As societies of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences we work closely with companies to gain experience and expertise in our fields. Many of our societies organise guest speakers, careers events, industrial visits or even secure financial support from corporate contacts. These relationships are vital for both our students’ education and preparation for life after university.

Individuals, sub-committees and entire societies can be nominated for this Award.

Nominate your Industrial ambassadors using the Industrial Award Nomination Form.

This Award recognises exemplary contributions of individual student members or entire societies who make new connections across the College and encourage collaboration and inclusivity within the Community.

With the growing reputation of the EPS Community there are more and more cross-society collaborative activities being organised. Have you held or participated in an event, challenge, competition, project or activity that has brought students together from across the College? 

Individuals, sub-committees and entire societies can be nominated for this Award.

This Award recognises those committee members who are dedicated to the success of their society in terms of empowerment, engagement, and inclusion for the benefit of all members. These people are fully committed to the running of their society, have exhibited exceptional organisational skills, and enable their society to thrive.

Every society has a go-to person for help and advice, someone who encourages others to get involved and goes above and beyond the call of duty to enhance their society's offerings to it's members. Who stands out on your committee?

Only individual committee members can be nominated for this Award.

This Award recognises individuals who have gone above and beyond to represent their society by embodying its core values and instilling them in others. They exemplify the best within themselves, and are recognised as a role model for their achievements.

Any society member can be a role model. There are always those who may not necessarily sit on the committee but are heavily involved in activities. They give their all to their commitments, volunteer to help when needed and encourage others to join in. They could be a society member, committee member, a student rep, or a local volunteer. Does someone stand out to you as having had a profound and demonstrable impact on your society, school or University community?

Only individuals can be nominated for this Award.

This Award recognises innovative new projects and events that have had a significant impact on the schools or societies involved this academic year.

Each and every one of the EPS societies creates imaginative and unique projects every year. Have any caught your attention?  Think inter-school sports competitions, welcome activities for new students, design or research projects, events, careers activities, industrial visits, or even a brand new society – the list goes on.

Individuals, sub-committees and entire societies can be nominated for this Award.

This Award recognises outstanding contributions to the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, encapsulates the positive traits celebrated through all other Awards, and seeks to recognise exceptional individuals within the EPS Societies. These are our future leading alumni.

Whether through fundraising initiatives, raising awareness of school or College events, or acting as a student ambassador, these individuals endeavour to provide the best possible experience for their fellow students by offering opportunities that cannot be found elsewhere. The nominees to this Award are motivated to achieve the best, could be winners in any category, are an excellent example of students at Birmingham and are truly exceptional.

Only individuals can be nominated for this Award.

This Award celebrates those societies that have pushed the boundaries and delivered more than ever before. Through outstanding events, innovative projects and activities, superb organisation, and raising awareness, these societies provide an exceptional, well-rounded and inclusive experience to their members. They embody the ethos of the EPS Community.

Nominate your society using the Society of the Year 2020/21 Nomination Form!

Everyone one of our societies has members outside of their organising committees who truly get stuck into everything. Their proactivity and willingness to help out cannot be faulted, and they have participated in many, if not all, gatherings and activities. Their commitment throughout the academic year has been outstanding and their actions have not gone unnoticed. So we invite our committees to celebrate their most enthusiastic members and officially name them their society's 'Member of the Year'.

Committees wishing to submit their nominations should email Andra on eps-community@contacts.bham.ac.uk with the name of their nominee and a short blurb of why you are naming them your Member of the Year.

This Award recognises the member of staff who has gone above and beyond in their support to one or more societies, making an outstanding contribution to the committee and its members throughout the year.

Committees wishing to submit their nominations should email Andra on eps-community@contacts.bham.ac.uk with the name of their nominee and a short blurb of why you are naming them your Staff Member of the Year no later than Friday 4th June 2021.

This year the awards will be shortlisted by a panel of College of EPS alumni and then judged by a panel of College of EPS staff and alumni. In order to make the awards as fair as possible we have pulled together a panel with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, from across the College. All panellists will be asked to declare their biases and will not be involved in any decisions where they are deemed to have a conflict of interest. The shortlisting panel will meet on the 13^th June and the judging panel will meet on the 17^th June.

 Judging Panel

Sally Schofield, Head of Operations, School of Chemical Engineering

Prof Ian Jefferson, Deputy Head of College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Dr Richard Sheridan, Lecturer, School of Metallurgy and Materials

Dr Holly Foss, Lecturer, School of Engineering

Nicole Soor, alumna MEng Nuclear Engineering, 2018 and shortlisted for The Great Achievement in EPS Award 2018

 Shortlisting Panel

Dr Naomi Green, Technical Research Officer for School of Engineering, alumna MEng Mechanical Engineering, 2004; PhD Mechanical Engineering, 2017 and 2015 Outreach Award winner

Daisy Partlow, alumna MEng Mechanical Engineering, 2016 and The Great Achievement in EPS Award winner 2016

Edna Gama Vaz de Conceição, alumna MSci Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics, 2017 and The Great Achievement in EPS Award winner 2017 

Nominations will close at 14:00 on Friday 11th June.

Writing nominations is hard! You know this person/project/event is amazing and it's often difficult to express that in 250 words on a form. Here are some hints and tips to what makes a good nomination:

• Give as much detail as you can. You know the person/people you're nominating are awesome - tell the judges.
• Focus on impact. For example you've done some outreach work with local schools - what has that meant for that school and what benefit have you give its pupils? Or you've held a careers event, how many students gained interviews or jobs/placements as a result?
• Quality not quantity. It's great to know that many people may want to nominate the same person or activity, please remember that the number of nominations submitted bears no weight on the judges' decision. They are looking for quality and impactful submissions.
• Remember the judging panel are unlikely to know anything about the person or activity you're talking about so wow them with your words and give examples of why they or it is brilliant.
• Remember that your nomination will be reviewed by members of the College Directorate.
• Read the 2020 Shortlist for inspiration. Each Award webpage includes the nomination for the 2020 winner of that category and the full shortlist (.pdf 4208 KB) is also available for viewing. 

• Every nominee must be a student member of an EPS society. While there are many other brilliant societies on campus, these Awards specifically celebrate the 42 student groups in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. You can find out which societies are eligible here. Of course if you think another society is part of the College and therefore eligible please email Andra.
• You can nominate as many people as you want for the same or multiple awards.
• Any member of an EPS society can be nominated. Only the Inspirational Committee Member award is restricted to committee members. Some categories are only open to individuals but most are open to individuals, sub-committees and entire societies. Please see each Award category for further detail.
• Anyone can nominate, regardless of whether they are a member of an EPS society or not. Students, staff, friends, family, sponsors, event attendees, staff, people you've worked with, school teachers and members of the public are all welcome to submit nominations so please encourage everyone you've worked with this academic year to nominate.
• Duplicate or plagiarised nominations will not accepted. Do not copy and paste your nomination and change the nominator's name.
• Nominations including foul language or inappropriate content will also be rejected.
• All nominations are anonymous.

Winners are announced at a virtual Awards ceremony on 22nd July. Everyone is welcome to attend, the more the merrier! More information will be shared shortly so keep on eye on the Awards website www.birmingham.ac.uk/eps/societiesawards.

All nominees will be informed of their nominations after the closing date. Nominees will also be published on the EPS Societies' Awards website.  Nominees have the right to not be listed publicly should they so wish and this will be communicated in the email notification.

Shortlisted nominees will be contacted (date to be announced). Shortlisted nominees will be included in the Awards brochure which is distributed after the Awards ceremony, published on the EPS Societies' Awards website and used at student-facing activities such as Open Day and Welcome Week.

• All nominations are anonymous and only members of the EPS Alumni Office will have access to this data.
• Your data will not be shared and you have the right to request all nominations submitted to your name.
• The judges will receive copies of nominations with the nominees name, affiliated society and committee position (if relevant to the award category) only; no information on the nominator will be shared.
• You have the right to withdraw your nomination at any time prior to the judging panel meet (date TBA). Simply emails Andra Craig on eps-community@contacts.bham.ac.uk to withdraw.
• All nominees, shortlists and award winners will be published on the University website.  You have the right to opt-out of theses public lists; please email Andra Craig on eps-community@contacts.bham.ac.uk to opt-out.
• All nomination data will be deleted shortly after the EPS Societies' Awards night in July.
• More information on our Current Student, and Alumni and Supporters Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

If you have a question or need help with your nomination please email Andra Craig on eps-community@contacts.bham.ac.uk