We are delighted to announce this year’s winners of the University Research and Innovation Prize competition.

The annual prizes were designed to celebrate the achievements of academic and professional services staff across a range of areas – especially activities that have had a transformative effect, created new knowledge, benefited a particular community and/or supported others in the research and innovation ecosystem.

Working alongside KMTV, there will be a prize-giving event taking place online from 13.00 – 14.00 Thursday 15 July where 7 awards will be handed out to staff in recognition of their accomplishments at the University. This will be streamed from the Uni YouTube and Facebook accounts.

This year’s winners are as follows:

Starting Research Prize

For research staff who are less than 7 years from PhD completion and with a research track record that shows great promise. Permanent academic staff, fellows and researchers may apply.

Joint Winners: Jim Everett (HSS) and Rasa Mikelyte (LSSJ)
Honourable mentions: Ed Kirton-Darling (LSSJ), Flora Renz (LSSJ), and Emma Veale (NatSci)

Consolidator Research Prize

For research staff who are 7–12 years from PhD completion and with a track record showing outstanding research talent.

Winner: Jennifer Hiscock (NatSci)
Honourable mentions: Marina Ezcurra (NatSci) and Joy Zhang (LSSJ)

Advanced Research Prize

For research staff with more than 12 years from PhD completion and leaders in their field, demonstrating significant achievement in the last 10 years.

Winner: Sophia Labadi (Arts & Hums)
Honourable mention: Anastasios Tsaousis (NatSci)

Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Prize

 For research staff who have made a significant contribution to the innovation and enterprise activities at the University, through collaboration with industry and knowledge exchange.

Winner: Alessia Buscanio and Colin Robinson (NatSci)
Honourable mention: Robert Fish and Joseph Tzanopoulos (HSS)

Technician of the Year Prize

 For technical staff who have made a significant contribution to research and innovation activities at the University.

Winner: Philip Robinson (LSSJ)

Professional Services Support of the Year Prize

For professional services staff who have made a significant contribution to support research and innovation activities at the University.

Joint Winners: Jess Day (RIS) and Alexandra Leduc-Pagel (HSS)
Honourable mention: Jessica Cockell (KBS)

The 2021 Kent Research and Innovation Community Prize

 In addition to the above prizes, and in recognition of the exceptionally challenging year that staff have faced as a result of the pandemic, this special award was purposefully designed for any Kent staff member who has provided invaluable support to assist colleagues, students or the wider community in research and innovation activities over the past academic year.

Winner: Catherine Robinson (KBS)
Honourable mentions: Kathleen Quinlan (Education) and the Research Design Services team (LSSJ)