Vice-Chancellor’s Awards winners announced

Winners of the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Health and Safety 2019 have been announced during a special ceremony at University House.

Sir Alan Langlands, Vice-Chancellor, with the winners at the ceremony

Vice Chancellor Sir Alan Langlands with the award winners

The awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional inspiration, commitment and achievement of staff and students in health, safety and wellbeing.

This year’s award winners are:

The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Health and Safety 2019

Dr Natalie North and Dr Nicole Watt – Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM), Faculty of Medicine and Health

Natalie and Nicole are post-doctoral research fellows with a keen interest in improving health and safety awareness in the extensive LICAMM research laboratories. They went above and beyond their roles as post-docs to engage with colleagues (in particular academics) to transform the way LICAMM works to promote health and safety. Their entry was selected as the most inspirational and won the £250 prize.

Health and Wellbeing Initiative Award

Kate Brady and Rhiannon Bland – Student Education Service, Faculty of Biological Sciences

Kate and Rhiannon ran wellbeing events for staff and students, with feedback proving these events were both needed and valued.

Health and Wellbeing Champions Award

Grace Roberts, Louise Walton and Ellie Dean – Couch to 5k volunteer leaders (Education Engagement/School of Psychology/Sport and Physical Activity).

This team of volunteer leaders developed a programme for staff and students with sessions to help participants build up their fitness, improving their running technique in a safe and friendly environment.

Health and Safety Champion Award

Louise Barker – Strategy and Planning, Professional Services

Louise led the design and implementation of best practice approaches to staff health, safety and wellbeing across the Strategy and Planning team and across other services.

Health and Safety Champion Award

Carsten Zothner – School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences

The Health and Safety Executive highlighted Carsten’s role as Lab Area Co-ordinator in the management of the new FBS Biological Safety Level 3 facility, dealing with pathogens such as hepatitis C Virus, Dengue and Chikungunya.

Leadership Award

Jill Roberts – Cleaning Services, Facilities Directorate

Jill’s commitment to improving the health and safety of the Cleaning team shone. She has made a real impact by reducing chemical use, simplifying the cleaning system and by introducing new methods of working.

Teamwork Award

Business Change Team’s Health and Wellbeing Group – Business Change, Professional Services

This group drove health and wellbeing activity, including running a split team fundraising challenge and a ‘big garden build’ activity to focus on levels of activity and health at work.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Visit the Wellbeing, Safety and Health website for further information about the awards.

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