The Leeds Partnership Awards are an annual celebration of the incredible contributions made by staff and students across the University.
These awards shine a spotlight on achievements in areas such as teaching excellence, equality and inclusion, wellbeing, research innovation, and community engagement, reflecting the values of collaboration, respect, and enhancing the student experience.
Last year we received over 2,700 nominations, showcasing the breadth of talent and dedication within our community.
Nominations for the 2026 Awards open on 24 November 2025 and close on 19 February 2026.
Don’t miss your chance to recognize those who make a difference! Check out the different categories below.
Student Categories
Student of the Year
● Who is eligible? Any individual enrolled on a programme or course of study at the University of Leeds.
● What are we looking for? Someone who has made a significant and lasting impact on the learning culture, or personal or cohort learning or development within their subject, department, school, or faculty, significantly enhancing the overall experience for those undertaking study at the University of Leeds.
Postgraduate Researcher of the Year
● Who is eligible? Any individual enrolled on a postgraduate research degree at the University of Leeds.
● What are we looking for? Someone who has made a significant and lasting impact on the learning culture, or personal or cohort learning or development within their subject, department, school, or faculty, significantly enhancing the overall experience for those undertaking study at the University of Leeds.
Apprentice of the Year
● Who is eligible? Any individual enrolled on an apprenticeship programme at the University of Leeds.
● What are we looking for? Someone who has made a significant and lasting impact on the learning culture, or personal or cohort learning or development within their subject, department, school, or faculty, significantly enhancing the overall experience for those undertaking study at the University of Leeds.
Academic Rep of the Year
● Who is eligible? Any individual or group serving as a Course Rep, School Rep, Faculty Officer, or PGR Rep at the University of Leeds.
● What are we looking for? Those who have consistently engaged with their peers and various University staff and structures in their faculty to drive positive change and effectively represented the views of those they represent, leading to an improved learning experience at the University of Leeds.
Student Leader of the Year
● Who is eligible? Any individual or group who is enrolled on a programme or course of study at the University of Leeds and undertakes a leader role within the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union (e.g., society committee, liberation rep, activities exec).
● What are we looking for? Those who have made a consistent and significant
contribution to enhancing and developing their group or initiative that improves the experience for those undertaking study at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union.
Staff Categories
Academic Personal Tutor or Supervisor of the Year
● Who is eligible? Any member of staff or individual with Academic Personal Tutor or Dissertation/Thesis Supervisor responsibilities.
● What are we looking for? Individuals who have significantly impacted their tutees, contributing to their success and improving their experience at the University of Leeds.
Teacher of the Year
● Who is eligible? Any member of staff or individual with teaching responsibilities.
● What are we looking for? Those who have consistently shown innovative teaching methods that enhance education, boost engagement, or significantly improve the learning and experience of those they teach at the University of Leeds.
Technical Staff Member or Team of the Year
● Who is eligible? Any member of staff or team who supports teaching and learning by using subject area technical skills (e.g., lab technicians, workshop technicians, post-docs).
● What are we looking for? Those who have delivered or designed innovative ways to enhance teaching, learning, and engagement using their specific subject area skills, knowledge, and expertise. This could include lab management, contributions to research that advance subject area teaching, or project support and development for those undertaking study.
Student Education and Experience Award
● Who is eligible? Any member of staff or team at the University of Leeds or LUU who supports the education or experience of those undertaking study by offering direct support.
● What are we looking for? Those who have contributed significantly to supporting individuals undertaking study at the University of Leeds and made a significant impact on their experience or journey
Professional Services Staff Member or Team of the Year
● Who is eligible? Any member of staff or team who works in a non-teaching role at LUU or the University of Leeds.
● What are we looking for? Those who have shown consistent commitment to
improving working culture, team performance, or improving and supporting the experience of those undertaking study at the University of Leeds.
Mixed and Overall Categories
Student-Staff Partnership of the Year
● Who is eligible? Any group composed of individuals enrolled on a programme or course of study or Leeds University Union staff or teams, and University of Leeds staff or teams.
● What are we looking for? Partnerships that have worked together to deliver or enhance the experience or education for those undertaking study at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union.
Community Impact and Innovation Award
● Who is eligible? Any individual enrolled on a programme or a course of study, or a member of staff or team at the University of Leeds or LUU.
● What are we looking for? Those who have contributed to research or work that has innovated or had a significant impact on culture, representation, practice or understanding within a departmental, local, regional, national, or global community either within the University of Leeds, Leeds University Union, or beyond.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Practice Award
● Who is eligible? Any individual or team who is enrolled on a programme or course of study, or a member of staff or team at the University of Leeds or LUU.
● What are we looking for? Those who have contributed to work that has made a significant impact to advance or support Equality, Diversity, or Inclusive practice at the University of Leeds or LUU.
Mentorship Award
● Who is eligible? Any individual or team who is enrolled on a programme or course of study, or a member of staff or team at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union.
● What are we looking for? Those who have provided mentorship to another person at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union and made a significant impact on their mentee’s learning, professional development, or experience.
Wellbeing Award
● Who is eligible? Any individual or group who is enrolled on a programme or course of study at the University of Leeds, or any members of staff or teams at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union.
● What are we looking for? Those who have displayed an exceptional commitment to providing wellbeing support to a person or a group or has contributed significantly to improving or delivering wellbeing practice at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union.
The Overall Partnership Award
● Who is eligible? Any winner of one of this year’s 8 local Partnership Awards
ceremonies, recommended by their local Partnership Awards committee.
● What are we looking for? This award recognises the standout winner from the previous 15 awards in this year’s local Partnership Awards ceremony.
Note: All references to ‘Student’ also include people who may be enrolled on a programme or course of study at the University of Leeds.
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