The Distinguished Research Awards recognise the outstanding contribution of Ulster staff members in the area of research, across three categories – Senior Distinguished Research Fellowship Award, Distinguished Research Fellowship Award and Early Career Research Excellence.

Congratulations to all the 2021 Champion and Faculty Winners in the Distinguished Research Awards.

Champion winners 2021

Senior Distinguished Research Fellowship Champion Award

Winner

Professor Derek Jackson
Professor of Coastal Geomorphology, School of Geography & Environmental Sciences

Professor Jackson is an internationally renowned coastal geographer with an academic career spanning over 20 years. Professor Jackson is a leading authority in coastal environmental change and is a renowned specialist in Aeolian sediment transport modelling.

His international reputation is evidenced through his recent election as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, which is a major lifetime achievement and a full endorsement of his reputation as a leading international researcher.

Professor Derek Jackson

Distinguished Research Fellowship Champion Award

Winner

Dr Pilar Fernandez-Ibanez
Lecturer in Engineering Science, School of Engineering

Dr Pilar Fernandez-Ibanez has made significant contributions to physical sciences and engineering research with a focus on water disinfection for low economy and marginalized communities in the low-income countries - Dr Fernandez-Ibanez is recognised as one of the world’s top scientists in her area. Her professional values and great research reputation have been recognised by the Royal Irish Academy and the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics.

Dr Pilar Fernandez-Ibanez

Early Career Research Excellence Champion Award

Winner

Dr Stuart Henderson
Lecturer in Financial Services, Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics

Dr Henderson was appointed Lecturer in Financial Services in 2018 and has already made a significant research contribution in terms of research output, departmental collaboration and scholarly leadership. His research has focused on a number of areas with a particular focus on the economics of religion and rural/agricultural economics.

Dr Stuart Henderson

Faculty Winners 2021

Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

  • Professor Rory O'Connell - Senior Distinguished Research Fellowship Faculty Award
  • Dr Philip McDermott - Distinguished Research Fellowship Faculty Award

Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

  • Professor Damien Coyle - Senior Distinguished Research Fellowship Faculty Award
  • Dr Pilar Fernandez-Ibanez - Distinguished Research Fellowship Faculty Award

Life and Health Sciences

  • Professor Derek Jackson - Senior Distinguished Research Fellowship Faculty Award
  • Dr Orla McBride - Distinguished Research Fellowship Faculty Award

Ulster University Business School

  • Professor Martin McCracken - Senior Distinguished Research Fellowship Faculty Award
  • Dr Sinead Furey - Distinguished Research Fellowship Faculty Award
  • Dr Stuart Henderson - Early Career Research Excellence Faculty Award