The nomination window for this year’s Above & Beyond awards is open until Friday 24 February, and you’re able to nominate colleagues and teams in the following categories:
- Learning and Teaching
- Research and Innovation
- Professional
- Ambitious
- Inclusive
- Innovative
- Partnership
- Outstanding Student Experience
- University Enterprise
- Leadership Excellence
It’s important that your nomination makes an impact with the judging panel, as you showcase the work done and the impact it made.
Tips for writing quality award nominations
A well-written nomination provides specific information illustrating how the individual/team’s achievements have made a positive impact on Edinburgh Napier University’s goals. The number of examples is not as important as ensuring that their contributions match the specific award criteria, and that there are measurable results.
Here are some additional tips:
Keep it brief:
Write short sentences that are concise and give specific detail. Avoid giving work history or job descriptions, unless it directly relates to the award criteria. The goal is quality, not quantity.
Answer the ‘what’ and ‘how’
What did the nominee(s) do?
- Projects and/or activities/service where they excelled
- Any challenges or issues encountered and overcome
How did the nominee(s) do it?
- Initiative and/or leadership
- Teamwork
- Behaviours and/or attitudes
- Living the values; inclusive, professional, ambitious, innovative
What were the results and/or impacts?
- What did the nominee(s) accomplish?
- Are there specific benefits from those efforts?
Be clear and specific.
- Don’t assume the panel will understand the specific nature of a project or achievement without full explanations. Be specific about what the nominee(s) did and how that helps fulfil the University’s vision.
Say it like it is.
- Don’t worry about using ‘fancy’ speech. Feel free to use bulleted lists when appropriate. Be sure to explain any technical details to help the panel understand, and spell out/define any unfamiliar acronyms
Use strong examples.
- Anecdotes, quotations from colleagues or partners, specific numbers or statistics, etc. help strengthen your nomination. If appropriate, describe the amount of time and resources spent on the project/task/service. If the project the nominee(s) is/are working on is still being developed or has not produced results, consider identifying major milestones completed.
Communicate sincerity and personal commitment.
- Show that you personally value the contributions of your nominee(s).
Consider a collaborative, group-written nomination.
- If you find yourself shying away from a solo nomination, then round up a colleague or two and write one together. This approach may make gathering ideas and writing the nomination easier.
Review your nomination.
- Verify the accuracy of all information in the nomination.
Ask questions.
Please take the time to recognise those who have gone above and beyond in your School or department over the last 12 months. You can make your nomination here. If you need some inspiration, please check out last year’s winners here.