Research Excellence Awards
The Research Excellence Awards acknowledge and reward individual members of staff and teams for outstanding contributions to research and scholarly activity from Ulster University.
From emerging leaders to postdoctoral researchers, the vital role of research supervisors to the powerful impact of interdisciplinary and external partnerships in research, these awards reflect our research community empowering and leading outcomes that deliver for our local economy and far beyond.
The Awards process for 2025 is now open until 16 January 2026 at 12 noon.
The Research Excellence Awards comprise of the following categories:
Senior Distinguished Research Awards are for any member of academic/research staff who has at least 15 years in an academic/research post, who have compiled a substantial and continuing record of outstanding research and scholarly activity and who have profoundly contributed to their field in a leadership capacity.
Distinguished Research Awards are for any member of academic/research staff who has been in an academic/research post for at least 5 years but less than 15 years, who, by virtue of the exceptional quality of their research contributions to date, have demonstrated great potential as scholars and leaders and who have achieved some measure of international standing in their discipline.
Future Research Leader Awards are for any member of staff within 5 years of their first academic/research appointment who is actively involved in leading an independent programme of research, to recognise emerging leaders in research whose record of achievement reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in their contribution to research.
Research Recognition Awards is for the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment postdoctoral researchers, who are within 5 years of their first research appointment and are actively engaged in conducting research, and is intended to recognise outstanding postdoctoral researchers who have made a significant contribution in their area(s) of expertise.
Dean of the Doctoral College Awards for Excellence in PhD Research Supervision is for all four Faculties and is awarded to individuals who have been supervising PhD researchers over several years and can demonstrate a sustained body of exceptional supervision, encouragement and support for PhD researchers and influenced research supervision practices and culture within their area of practice.
There are two team awards, they are:
Outstanding Interdisciplinary Research Team Award
This award recognises and celebrates the achievements of a research team which brings together researchers and skilled specialists from within the University, with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to address complex research challenges. A group of 3 or more Ulster University staff who are part of an interdisciplinary team comprising of at least two different internal research disciplines (either from at least two different Schools, Research Units or Faculties at Ulster University).
Outstanding External Collaborative Research Team Award
This award celebrates the achievements of staff at Ulster University and recognises how the development of external collaborations can achieve excellent outputs and impact. A group of 3 or more Ulster University staff who are part of a team on the delivery of a collaborative research project with external parties.
Quote
"These awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of our researchers to research excellence at Ulster University. With People at the heart of our People, Place and Partnerships Strategy, the Awards honour staff at every stage of their career. Each year, we are inspired by the quality of research across diverse disciplines, the impact of our work locally and globally, the spirit of collegiality among peers, and the strength of our partnerships with external bodies. We are especially proud of the dedication shown to supporting our PhD researchers. These awards ensure that both teams and individuals receive the recognition they so richly deserve."
The Process
The application/nomination process is as follows:
- For the individual awards (Senior Distinguished Research, Distinguished Research, Future Research Leader, Research Recognition and Dean of the Doctoral College Award categories) candidates can choose to self nominate or can be nominated by peers or line managers.
- Faculty Awards: After the closing date a panel will convene and all applications will be scored against the relevant criteria. The highest ranking applicant or team will be named as the winner(s) and recipient of the award.
- Champion Awards: Applicable to the individual awards (Senior Distinguished Research, Distinguished Research and Future Research Lead) the four individual Faculty winners for each of these awards will be scored by the panel against the relevant criteria, whoever scores the highest ranking will be named as the champion and recipient of the award.
- All applicants/nominees will be notified of the outcome in Spring 2026
- The winners/winning teams will be honoured at the Ulster Excellence Awards ceremony in May 2026.
Please note
There are some changes to the Award's criteria this year, so it is important to review the eligibility and scoring criteria as set out in the Guidance Notes below for each category and choose the most appropriate category.
For individual award categories (with the exclusion of the Dean of the Doctoral College award), applicants can only submit an application to one of the individual Awards categories.
For team award categories, applicants can only submit an application to one of the team categories.
The Awards process for 2025 is now open until 16 January 2026 at 12 noon.
Get in Touch
Dean of the Doctoral College Award for Excellence in PhD Research Supervision - If you have any queries relating to this award please contact Professor Alison Gallagher at am.gallagher@ulster.ac.uk
For all other awards categories please contact Dr Connie Gerrow, Research Performance email: c.gerrow@ulster.ac.uk if you have any queries.
