Excellence in Research
Winner: Professor Sandra Ortega-Martorell - TARGET Project
With her expertise and commitment to advancing AI/ML for healthcare, Sandra has set a new standard in research excellence.
Her leadership, successful collaborations, and dedication to public engagement embody the transformative power of data science to address pressing global challenges in health and society.
This recognition holds deep personal meaning, reflecting a journey of hard work and dedication since being honoured with the Rising Star Award in 2018.
I am profoundly grateful for the brilliant colleagues and collaborators who have enriched this journey with their insights and support.
This award belongs as much to them as it does to me, and I thank them for being an integral part of this experience.
It also reinforces my commitment to continuing to work hard and to helping others achieve their best, as we strive to make an even greater impact together.
Professor Sandra Ortega-Martorell
Excellence in Knowledge Exchange
Winner: The Intelligence and Surveillance Team
Lead: Mark Whitfield
Team: Howard Reed, Karen Critchley, James Deville, Rosemary Schofield, Hannah Lundberg, Jen Germain, Sue O’Looney, Nicola Mawdsley, Jane Webster, Ann Lincoln, Oliver Ellis, Cara Citraro, Ellie Williamson, Marco Driver Dos Santos.
The Intelligence and Surveillance Team personify ‘Excellence in Knowledge Exchange Activity’.
This team has demonstrated exceptional commitment to external collaboration, significantly contributing to the strategic objectives and values of Liverpool John Moores University.
We were delighted to receive this award which follows on from a really intensive year for the team of rolling out our public health surveillance systems around different parts of the country.
Having this work recognised, which supports some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, is a huge thing for us and an achievement we’re all very proud of.
Mark Whitfield
Excellence in Research and Knowledge Exchange Support
Winner: Gemma Reed (Research and Innovation Services) and Professor Zoe Knowles (School of Sport and Exercise Sciences) - The Engage Programme.
Gemma and Zoe developed, organised and facilitated the LJMU Engage Programme. Their development of quality within public engagement support structures is truly inspirational.
We’re delighted to have received this award for our efforts in developing the LJMU Engage Public Engagement Training Programme.
We’re extremely passionate about supporting our amazing public engagement work within the institution.
Receiving this award marks a fresh milestone for PE support and recognition at LJMU. We’re excited to continue this work in the future.
Gemma Reed and Zoe Knowles
Excellence in Promotion of EDI in Research and Knowledge Exchange
Winner: Dr Laura Dixon (Liverpool Business School)
Laura’s broad and impactful work exemplifies her commitment to inclusivity, both in research and practice.
Her work continues to create meaningful change in the lives of individuals and across institutions.
I am really honoured to receive the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Promotion of EDI.
Supporting students and colleagues to create a more inclusive environment is at the heart of what I do, and I’m proud to know that my efforts have made a positive difference.
This recognition will inspire me to continue to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone at LJMU, and to work towards meaningful change within our university community.
Dr Laura Dixon
Excellence in the Promotion of Sustainability in Research and Knowledge Exchange
Winner: The Absolute Chemistry Group
Lead: Dr Victoria Brennan
Team: Dr Andrea Mallaburn, Professor Linda Seton, Dr Rory McDonald, Menna Goodwin.
The programme embodied LJMU values with a focus on learners across our local communities, sharing resources and expertise through engaging knowledge exchange, and courageously adopting a focus on sustainability.
The Absolute Chemistry Research Group are absolutely delighted to win such a prestigious university wide award for ‘Excellence in Sustainability’.
We are extremely proud of our Research and Knowledge Exchange work and its impact on children and teachers across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
Andrea Mallaburn and Linda Seton
Excellence - Impact Story
Winner: Dr Lorna Brookes (School of Education) and Sarah Hogarth (Screen School) - 8 Hours There and Back.
A critically acclaimed play based on research by Lorna Brookes and written by Sarah Hogarth (Liverpool Screen School). The work aligns with all four core LJMU values.
Ultimately this educational research-based play directly meets the university’s vision to ‘transform lives’.
Receiving the VC award for Impact is an absolute honour. Sarah and I are absolutely thrilled that our creative and non-traditional mechanism to disseminate research has been formally recognised by the university.
I am also overjoyed that the vulnerable children from our community, that our research and work is centred around, are being given the recognition that their story really does matter!
“8 Hours There and Back” will always be one of my proudest achievements, and I could not be more grateful to LJMU for shining a light on it.
Dr Lorna Brookes
Excellence - Public Engagement with Research
Winner: Dr Andrea Livesey (Humanities and Social Science)
With community partners Andrea co-created an innovative trauma-informed methodology to inform conversations on maternal experiences, using historical research into Black-led midwifery care as a starting point.
The work is transformational and rooted in public engagement for transformational change.
I'm delighted that the Black Maternal Health Project has received this recognition.
The success of the project is testament to the hard work of the full project team, and our workshop participants.
Dr Andrea Livesey
Excellence - Postgraduate Research Supervisor
Winner: Dr Craig Hammond (School of Education)
Craig has shown exceptional supervisor support to his PGRs and is highly praised for his empathy and understanding.
He is recognised as a supervisor who takes the time to explore individual learning styles and to support research as a set of tasks, as well as in the round.
In the words of a nominee:
“Craig is truly inspirational and has changed my life, I am enjoying achieving and I thank Craig for this, he believed in me and has taught me to believe I can do this, I would never have dreamed this was possible.”
Winning the ‘Excellence Postgraduate Supervisor’ award is a tremendous honour and a validation of all of the hard work, dedication, and commitment provided by all members of the supervision teams that I am involved with.
The award and recognition is especially meaningful as it was decided by the PGR body.
Dr Craig Hammond
Excellence - Rising Star
Winner: Dr Huanhuan Li (Engineering)
Huanhuan’s groundbreaking research on AI and its application in maritime transport has significantly reshaped the landscape of the field and its associated emerging technology development, such as autonomous shipping.
She has also contributed to the local RKE environment through her active involvement in mentorship, supervision, research-led teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Rising Star is a profound honour that acknowledges not only my individual contributions but also the collaborative spirit of the remarkable teams and institutions I’ve been privileged to work with.
It reinforces my dedication to advancing innovation in maritime transportation and logistics through research, teaching, supervision, and mentorship.
This recognition motivates me to continue pushing boundaries, fostering inclusive academic environments, and developing impactful solutions to address global challenges.
Dr Huanhuan Li
Excellence - Open Research
Winner: Dr Andy Jones (Psychology) - Consumer behaviour
Andy applies the principles of open research in his work. For example, he pre-registers many of his empirical studies.
He also publishes work that examines the efficacy and benefits of open science practices.
I'm absolutely thrilled to have received the VC Award for Open Research and grateful to my peers for the nomination.
Open research practices are vital role in improving confidence in scientific findings, and I hope to continue working openly and encouraging others to do the same.
Dr Andy Jones
