Bidvest are the main sponsor for the 2015 PSRAs.
Outstanding Collaboration Award
An award for a successful and impactful external collaboration delivered by an individual or team.
The shortlisted nominees in this category are:
- Exeter Northcott Theatre refurbishment team
- Innovation Exeter
- Royal Cornwall Show team
- Alex Khan
- Lucy Lofthouse and Marcus Mitchell
Exeter Northcott Theatre refurbishment team
The Exeter Northcott Theatre refurbishment team have been nominated because:
- The team worked with the Exeter Northcott Theatre and University to provide new services, and crucially an additional large teaching space of 464 seats.
- The project required careful negotiation across organisations for a complex project.
- They have delivered: 464 teaching spaces, 20 informal study spaces, high-end AV equipment (including cinema quality projection), and improved ventilation and lighting.
Key quote from a nominator:
“The project had to deliver a scheme which was acceptable to both the Theatre and University and Bernard conducted the negotiations with some skill, including organising the cross discipline team. The Theatre’s Artistic and Executive Director commented, '“People talk a lot about partnership and don't actually do it that much. The relationship between UoE and the theatre, which is growing at multiple levels could well become an example that others will very much wish to follow.”
Innovation Exeter
The Innovation Exeter project has been nominated because:
- The team have worked with the Met Office and other partners to establish the Global Environmental Futures Campus at the Exeter Science Park and the Innovation Exeter initiative.
- This has led to more than £17 million of bids and a new level of engagement with the Met Office, which is expected to lead to the development of a globally important centre of expertise.
- The initiatives are expected to create important new sources of business growth in the city.
Key quote from a nominator:
“The arrival of the Met Office supercomputer will make a significant difference to the image of the City and the work that this team has done to harness the power of this investment for economic growth in Exeter has been impressive. The full fruits of their work will not be seen for many years but their work in the early stages and their impressive teamwork, both with each other and with the external partners have made a huge difference.”
Royal Cornwall Show team
The Royal Cornwall Show team have been nominated because:
- The team pulled together a stand at the Royal Cornwall Show under tight timescales for the first time in the University’s history.
- The team worked across departments and campuses with a large group of external collaborators to deliver a successful new annual tradition.
- The project substantially raised the University’s profile in Cornwall, featuring a wide range of university information and exciting displays.
Key quote from a nominator:
“Most visitors had previously been unaware of the University’s Cornwall campuses, but, thanks to the stand, were eager to learn more about the Penryn and Truro campuses. Thanks to our presence at the 2015 show, RCS organisers are poised to invite Camborne School of Mines to perform mining demonstrations next year. This unique opportunity would help with ongoing efforts to raise our profile and improve relations with the wider Cornish community.”
Alex Khan
Software and Supplier Manager, Exeter IT
Alex has been nominated because:
- He created and delivered the Exploiting Digital Conference held at Penryn Campus in collaboration with Falmouth University and FX Plus.
- The successful two day conference was the first of its kind in the area, bringing together staff from the three institutions with potential business partners and collaborators.
- Attendees were able to discuss future shared initiatives, with participants wanting the event to be repeated annually.
Key quote from a nominator:
“Many areas of the two universities will benefit from the IT knowledge that was shared and the connections that were made at this event. On an ongoing basis, Alex has created something that will foster stronger bonds between Falmouth, FX Plus and Exeter beyond those formed in normal working relationships.”
Lucy Lofthouse and Marcus Mitchell
University of Exeter Medical School and Technical Services
Lucy Lofthouse and Marcus Mitchell have been nominated because:
- They work together with University of Exeter and NHS colleagues to ensure a smooth working environment in the Research, Innovation, Learning and Development (RILD) building.
- They have created a shared environment where all staff can benefit from the facilities and experience of both University and NHS partners, supporting collaboration.
- Their willingness to share and help others has reduced duplication of effort and led to a greater volume of grant funding for clinically-led projects.
Key quote from a nominator:
“Marcus and Lucy play a lead Professional Services role in ‘RILD’, a 350-person building on the hospital site shared between the University and the NHS. Working in RILD it is impossible to know which staff work for the NHS and which for the University because the administrative and technical systems developed by Lucy and Marcus means that everyone has access to services that they need in a truly shared and collaborative environment. ”
