THE Awards 2023: advice from the shortlist

By Eliza.Compton, 7 December, 2023
THE Awards 2023 spotlight
Inspiration and ideas from the outstanding faculty and universities in the UK and Ireland
THE Awards 2023: advice from the shortlist
Inspiration and ideas from the outstanding faculty and universities in the UK and Ireland
THE Awards 2023 spotlight

Times Higher Education’s annual awards recognise the innovations and successes of universities across the UK and Ireland. In this collection, shortlisted scholars, teams and institutions offer best practice in research supervision, student support, environmental leadership, work towards equity, diversity and inclusion, international collaboration, library practice, community outreach and technological achievement.

By kiera.obrien, 6 December, 2023

How small universities can make big digital changes

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A small figure kicks over the first in a line of towering stone dominoes
Even tiny institutions can punch above their weight when implementing changes. Chris Porter shares the lessons learned from overhauling library digital services at Birmingham Newman University
Reading time
4minutes
Outstanding research supervisor of the year
Resources
By Eliza.Compton, 28 November, 2023

Celebrating failure and other advice for PhD supervisors

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Detail of hands collecting river water
PhD researchers should be given space to work independently, share their results and test their own limits with the support of supervisors who see them as people first and scientists second, explains Hannah Cloke
Reading time
5minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 1 December, 2023

Research supervisor or tour guide?

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Guide leading a tour
Reflecting on her own PhD journey as a supervisor and student, Ruth Northway offers her key signposts and mapping techniques to help candidates reach their destinations
Reading time
3minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 30 November, 2023

Five ways to support PhD students’ well-being

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Young man in conversation with supervisor
Doctoral researchers are often absent from university discussions around well-being support, writes Jenny Mercer. Here, she argues that their situation requires bespoke attention and sets out ways this might be achieved
Reading time
4minutes
Lighthouse
By Eliza.Compton, 29 November, 2023

Advice for supervising a PhD by published works

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Hands writing on a laptop
The route to a PhD by published works requires a different approach to supervision. Here, Alison Brettle provides aspects to consider based on her experience conducting, supervising and developing institutional guidance
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 6 December, 2023

How to foster PhD excellence

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Daffodils under blue sky
How can PhD supervisors help early career researchers blossom? Support them with finding funding opportunities, understand each doctoral candidate’s motivations and reach out to your own network, suggests Julia Hörnle
Reading time
3minutes
Outstanding support for students
Resources
By Eliza.Compton, 5 December, 2023

Designing 24/7 hubs for students

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Students sitting together against a wall
What does it mean to create student-centric support? Here, Kieron Broadhead outlines the process and challenges in re-imagining a 24-hour student administration system
Reading time
4minutes
Group of multiracial young people
Technological or digital innovation of the year
Resources
teamwork concept
International collaboration of the year
Resources
By sara.custer, 30 November, 2023

Transforming a university campus into an athletes’ village

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The University of Birmingham hosted over 3,000 athletes for the 2022 Commonwealth Games
As an official partner of the Commonwealth Games 2022, the University of Birmingham housed and fed over 3,000 athletes from across the globe. Malene Stanley explains how they turned their campus into an athletes’ village in just a few months
Reading time
3minutes
target on blocks
By Eliza.Compton, 4 December, 2023

Using partnerships to establish and build on project success

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Sheet music lying on moss
From listening to the student voice to creating joined-up partnerships, success on major capital works depends on teamwork. Here, Dominic Wood outlines key elements to ensure project delivery and reap long-term benefits
Reading time
4minutes
Leadership and community outreach
Resources
By Laura.Duckett, 4 December, 2023

How to transform a failing institution

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Student standing outside a university building
Following the University of East London’s shortlisting for University of the Year award at the Times Higher Education 2023 Awards, Dean Curtis offers advice for driving positive change
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 6 December, 2023

Multilayered interventions to foster community relationships

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Cathedral Square and Market Hall, Peterborough
Key components of positive community engagement include institutional-, faculty- and course-level links, writes Tom Williamson. Here, he offers a road map for embedding universities in their local area and regional economy
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 7 December, 2023

Community organising: a case study in parent engagement

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Community meeting
Widening participation in higher education and improving the education journeys of young people cannot happen in isolation, writes Michael Bennett. Here, he outlines a programme that connects parents, community groups and the university
Reading time
4minutes