Research category (for MHLS, EPS and AHSS awards)
This award recognises research and impact activities. It can, for example, relate to contributions to the progression of projects (creative approaches and problem-solving, development of methodologies and tools…), the generation of new knowledge and quality outputs (publication of papers, patents, books, policy reports, code/software, open access datasets…), invited presentations at international conferences and other research dissemination activities to the research and innovation community, obtaining of prizes and similar marks of esteem, as well as the generation of new research ideas and proposals (for external funding etc.). This category also rewards the establishment and management of collaborations and partnerships with academia and other sectors, contributions to impact and societal benefit (including influence on policy and how public or private bodies function, innovation and commercialisation, entrepreneurship/spin-out companies, development of new patent applications and products, consultancy…), as well as external engagement with the public, patients or other stakeholders for research purposes (e.g. PPI and research co-creation and consultation).
Note: research dissemination to the public and media should not be included in this category and should be included in the ‘Citizenship and Outreach’ category.
Citizenship and Outreach category (for MHLS, EPS and AHSS awards)
This category recognises postdoc involvement in QUB business and in the wider research and innovation sector through, for example: dissemination of research to non-specialist audiences (public talks, festivals, events, social media, dissemination via mainstream media or blogs, vlogs…), student recruitment and inspiring young people (engagement with schools, university open days, student recruitment events, widening participation activities…), committee work and representation, the organisation of research events (e.g. conferences, symposia, courses…), contributions to a positive research culture (championing of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, research integrity, open access, supporting local student symposia and events…), contributions to a positive working environment (organisation of networking and social events…) and other marks of administrative leadership. Contributions to national, international, or field-specific societies, committees, and boards are also relevant to this category, as well as refereeing activities (editing, reviewing papers and proposals etc.).
Note: this award rewards public engagement relating to the dissemination of research, not the development of collaborations with external partners such as industrial partners, engagement with innovation and commercialisation, as well as PPI embedded within the research project; these activities are rewarded as part of the ‘Research’ category.
In the case of AHSS nominees, this award also includes the items corresponding to the ‘Support’ category in MHLS and EPS.
Support category (for MHLS and EPS awards only)
This award recognises postdoc involvement in the supervision, training and mentoring of students and fellow staff members (through mentoring programmes, career events, workshops, summer schools), as well as teaching. Contributions to the functioning of the team/group (organisation of team building activities or away days, laboratory rotas, team Health and Safety, regular team meetings or journal clubs…) and coordination of research delivery (e.g. project and collaboration management, budget management) are also included in this category.