OU celebrates Research Excellence Awards 2022

More than 250 Open University (OU) staff, students, funders and partners came together in London last night (22 September 2022) to celebrate OU research.

The OU Research Excellence Awards recognised the wide range of ways research undertaken at the OU makes a positive difference to the economy, the environment, and society.

During a glittering evening at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, The OU presented awards spanning 12 categories:

Outstanding Research Project

Winner:

• The AstrobiologyOU Research Team

Runner-up:

• Professor Satheesh Krishnamurthy

Environmental Sustainability Award

Winner:

• The Citizen Science and Artificial Intelligence Research Group

Runner-up:

• The Social and Sustainable Enterprise Research Cluster

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award

Winner:

• The Knowledge Media Institute

Runner-up:

• Dr Pallavi Anand

Best External Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

Winner:

• Professor Jean Hartley and the Centre for Policing Research and Learning

Runner-up:

• Dr Petr Knoth

Outstanding Impact on Research on Society and Prosperity

Winner:

• The Empowering Design Practices Research Team

Runners-up:

• Professor Annika Mombauer
  For the impact of research into the diplomatic and military origins of the First World War.
• Professor Sarah Earle and Dr Maddie Blackburn
  For their research on sex, intimacy and relationships involving young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

Outstanding Impact on Research on Teaching, Curriculum and Students

Winner:

• The Gas Cell Project team

Runner-up:

• Dr Carol Azumah Dennis

COVID-19 Award

Winner:

• Dr Siobhan Campbell and Dr Sally Blackburn-Daniels

Runners-up:

• Dr Amber Fensham-Smith
  For leading The Open University’s support for home learning during lockdown.
• Professor Harith Alani and team
  For research into COVID-19 related behavioural dynamics, misinformation spread and supply chain disruption.

Early Career Researcher

Winner:

• Dr Erica Borgstrom

Runners-up:

• Dr Lee Curley
• Dr Kaustubh Adhikari

Best Research Support Team

Winners:

• Dr Joanna Bhatti and Michelle Stevens

Runner-up:

• The AstrobiologyOU Support Hub

PGR Student Award

Winner:

• Joe McNeil

Runners-up:

• Lesley Boyd
• Pallavi Joshi
• Dr Ayomide Oluseye
• Scott Michael Steele
• Lois Damptey
• Dr Hannah Sargeant

Outstanding Supervisor Award

Joint winners:

• Dr Philippa Waterhouse and Dr Hugh Dickinson

Runner-up:

• Professor Enrico Motta

Best Technician/Technical Team of the year

Winner:

• Dr Simona Nicoara

Runner-up:

• Dr Michael Batham and team

• Watch videos of the 2022 winners