There were 160 award entries across the 11 categories this year, with 1,300 individuals included in the nominations. They were assessed by stream judging panels made up of colleagues from across the central University, divisions, colleges and GLAM.
Congratulations to the following teams, which include members of NDCN, nominated in the 2025 awards:
Diversity in Death and Dying: medical student museum experience - shortlisted for a Teaching and Learning Award
NDCN nominees: Professor Gabriele DeLuca and Emma Woodford
This innovative teaching session removes medical students from hospitals and immerses them in the Ashmolean Museum. It deploys objects and images enabling them to interrogate aspects of end-of-life care. It invites them to reflect on the challenges presented by this unavoidable part of professional practice in a diverse cultural environment. The experience is a collaboration between the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Faculty of History, Ashmolean Museum and Faculty of Theology & Religion.
BReal: Building stress resilience in early adolescents’ lives - shortlisted for a Research Engagement Award.
NDCN/WIN nominees: Louise Aukland, Carinne Piekema, and Hanna Smyth
BReal is an evidence-based schools resource for Year 7–9 students teaching stress resilience skills. Grounded in research from the Department of Psychiatry, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Department of Experimental Psychology, scientists worked with teachers and young people to co-develop a three-lesson personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) programme, teaching stress coping strategies to teenagers at a critical time of brain development underpinning mental health vulnerability.
Embedding positive research culture through Ambassador Programmes - shortlisted for a Research Culture Award
NDCN/WIN nominees: Louise Aukland, Holly Bridge, Stuart Clare, Karla Miller, Carinne Piekema, Jacqueline Pumphrey (RDM), Hanna Smyth, Sana Suri, Bernd Taschler
Designed to embed positive research culture in its centre and beyond, the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging’s annual Ambassador Programmes have provided training, support, and recognition for students and staff since 2017. Initially focused on public engagement, the programme has expanded to include open science and EDI and is now running across several other departments.
Oxford Young Sport Leaders Programme - shortlisted for a Local Community Engagement Award
NDCN/WIN nominees: Louise Aukland, Carinne Piekema, and Hanna Smyth
The Oxford Young Sport Leaders Programme (OYSLP) connects local schools with the University through sport and education. Featuring inclusive sports, workshops led by academics, access to University facilities, and mentoring by University students, OYSLP fosters belonging, develops skills, and builds bridges between the University and local communities.
Everyone is invited to attend the Awards Showcase in Blackwell Hall in the Weston Library on Tuesday 13 May, where shortlisted nominees will have an opportunity to demonstrate and discuss their work. The showcase will be open to all staff as well as members of the public. Show your support for colleagues, network with new teams, and find out more about the award-winning projects.
The winners and highly commended nominees will be announced at a special ceremony hosted by the Vice-Chancellor at the Sheldonian Theatre on Thursday 15 May.
See all the shortlisted entries at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/vice-chancellors-awards#collapse5227756