Winners of the University’s first Research Prizes have been announced.

The new annual award scheme was launched in 2015 to recognise excellence in research as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations. 40 applications from across all three Faculties were received and judged by a research panel led by Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Innovation Professor Philippe De Wilde.

Winners are:

University Research Prize: Professor Jon Williamson, School of European Culture and Languages.

Faculty Research Prizes: Professor Theresa Gannon (and team), School of Psychology; Professor Colin Robinson, Centre for Molecular Processing, School of Biosciences; Professor Nicola Shaughnessy, School of Arts.

University Early Career Research Prize: Dr Harmonie Toros, School of Politics & International Relations.

Faculty Early Career Research Prizes: Dr Helen Brooks, School of Arts; Dr Nikolas Rajkovic, Kent Law School; Dr Jeremy Rossman, School of Biosciences,

University Postgraduate Research Prize: Giovanni Travaglino, School of Psychology.

Faculty Postgraduate Research Prizes: Emily Dennis, School of Mathematics, Statistics & Actuarial Science; Igor Merheim-Eyre, School of Politics & International Relations; Ada Nifosi, School of European Culture and Languages.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Phillipe De Wilde said ‘The standard was extremely high, and reflects the diverse, exciting and vibrant research culture across the University.

‘These prizes celebrate the exceptional achievement of our staff and students, and the panel had to make some tough choices between excellent candidates.

‘I would like to thank all of those who took part; the winners are the touchstones for all the world leading researching taking place at the University.’

The second round of the scheme will open for applications in the autumn.

For further information, see the Research Prizes webpages.