The Research Leaders Programme at the University of York was last night awarded in the ‘Outstanding Support for Early Career Researchers’ at the Times Higher Education awards in London.
The programme which is new this academic year, having been piloted last year, is aimed at senior researchers and Principal Investigators who are heading up research projects and managing researchers. According to the University, the initiative focuses on “some of the key leadership challenges in the context of a research environment”. The project was chosen for the award on the basis of having developed “the most innovative or exemplary scheme to enhance and develop the transferable and careers skills of postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers”.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Professor John Local said in a statement: “This is a hugely well-deserved award which recognises the outstanding and innovative efforts of an inspiring group of people.”
The University also drew nominations for the work of Chemistry Professor David Smith as ‘Most Innovative Teacher’, and for the Archaelogy departments Heritage & Homeless project, which was shortlisted for the ‘Widening Participation Initiative of the Year’ award.
The top prize, which York claimed in 2010, for ‘University of the Year’ was awarded to the University of Strathclyde. Last year the awards, now in their eighth year, saw York awarded with the ‘Outstanding Engineering Research Team of the Year’ award.