Here are the 14 categories for the 2017 awards – lots of choice for every university to find an area in which it excels. Universities may enter as many categories as they wish.
Entries will be judged by a representative panel from across the UK higher education sector, winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony in London, March 2017, and shortlisted entries will be profiled across the Guardian.
1. Advancing staff equality
Awarded to an outstanding initiative that has a significant and measurable impact on improving staff equality and/or diversity. This could range from a high-level institutional strategy to specific campaigns, but must have a lasting benefit for the careers and working lives of staff.
2. Buildings that inspire
Awarded to a capital project that has positively enhanced the student and/or staff experience on campus, whether through a new build or a redevelopment (encompassing accommodation, catering, campus design, enterprise, ICT, libraries, leisure facilities, research or study spaces).
3. Business partnership
Awarded to an outstanding university partnership with a business or an industry – regional, national or international – with lasting impact for students, staff and the university.
4. Digital innovation
Awarded to a university that is successfully using digital technology in an innovative and user-friendly way. Universities may be providing outstanding online or distance courses or hosting excellent student services online or via apps.
Distance learning courses entered should involve high quality teaching, student experience and support. The course must be produced by a single university, though it may be marketed as part of a consortium’s offering.
5. Employability initiative
Awarded to a successful initiative within the university and/or in partnership with industry that equips students with the skills they need for the job market, provides networking opportunities and gives them access to potential employers (for example, through work placements).
6. Entrepreneurship
Awarded to an initiative that encourages a spirit of creativity and self-belief that helps students to launch their own enterprises. Universities will need to show how students gain the knowledge and skills they need to make good business decisions and provide case studies that illustrate their success.
7. International projects
Awarded to an outstanding project, venture or collaboration – in teaching, research or student attraction – that shows the university operating with global vision and ambition.
8. Marketing and comms campaign
Awarded to a university marketing or press campaign that shows outstanding imagination and impact. The campaign will have employed innovative techniques to impart a clear message that engaged its target audience and raised the profile of the university or showed the university in a new light.
9. Research impact
Sponsored by Emerald
Awarded to a research project that engages and inspires students, staff and the public, and demonstrates a meaningful impact in its field.
10. Social and community impact
Awarded to an initiative that has benefited significant numbers of people in the local community, at a national level, or globally. The project may have been run by the university on its own, or with the collaboration of a business partner.
11. Student diversity and widening participation
Awarded to an innovative initiative that has demonstrably helped to increase the number of disadvantaged and non-traditional students entering the university – specifically students from low-income families, those with disabilities or students from under-represented groups, including ethnic minorities.
12. Student experience
Awarded to an innovative project or initiative that has positively enhanced the student experience – in their academic lives or personal wellbeing.
13. Sustainability project
Awarded to an outstanding initiative that creates and champions a more sustainable living and working environment in the university and beyond, with a demonstrable and lasting legacy.
14. Teaching excellence
Awarded to an outstanding teaching initiative that inspires student learning and attainment through innovative pedagogy and champions the importance of university teaching.
15. Inspiring leader
Sponsored by HSBC
HSBC is proud to sponsor this award, which recognises and showcases inspirational leadership in the UK higher education sector. The category is open only to leaders who work within a university, but they can work in any aspect of university life. It aims to reward an individual who has brought out the best in their team, resulting in exceptional results.
We are looking for those who champion innovation and collaboration, and deliver real change for their institution, inspiring their colleagues and the rest of the higher education community.
Leaders will be nominated by the Guardian University Awards judging panel. The shortlist will be posted on the Guardian Higher Education Network and the winner voted for by network readers.
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