Monday 28-06-2021 - 10:13

Congratulations to all the students and staff who won Annual Awards!  

It’s been an incredibly difficult year, and it’s so important for us to come together as a community and celebrate the many ways students have made a difference in challenging circumstances. Over 100 students submitted nominations and we were stunned by the depth of passion of those nominated.

You can catch up with the live event below, or keep scrolling to see the list of award winners.

Watch the Annual Awards livestream here.

View the full nominations list here.

See some of the amazing winners accept their awards:

SU Annual Awards 2021: shortlist and winners 

Best Campaign/Project Award 

Winner:

Durham People of Colour Association (DPOCA)

DPOCA’s anti-racism campaign, ‘17 Letters, 4 Words: A Racism Free Durham’, successfully gained signatures from every college in Durham, opening up an important conversation about race at Durham University. 

Shortlist: 

Ewan Swift 

The Take Time to Sign Campaign provided students with the tools to make an informed decision about moving into the private rented housing sector. 

Boycott the Durham Union 

This campaign galvanised students to stand in solidarity with the women, LGBT+ students, students of colour and working class students who had been shut out of the Durham Union. 

 

Greatest Contribution to Education Award 

Winners:

Emily Glynn 

Emily has successfully led the History in Politics Society throughout a difficult year and established many avenues for academic engagement and learning, including an academic journal, blog, podcast, academic interviews, essay competitions, debates, and webinars.  

Lucy Davies 

Lucy has provided students with strong educational support in the last year. She has helped with academic writing, addressed misconceptions, and brought an optimistic approach to education. Lucy has also acknowledged the versatility and diversity of education and its course of study.

Shortlist: 

Paul Davis 

As an academic rep, Paul has championed new ways of learning brought about by Covid-19 and has supported a positive student experience in challenging circumstances. 

Adrian Millican 

Adrian has supported students’ studies in the most difficult of times. He has given extra tuition and general support, often while balancing his parenting commitments. 

Nailah Haque 

Nailah vocally champions decolonisation in Durham, and demonstrates the urgency and value of a more inclusive and transparent curriculum. 

 

Student Support Award  

Winners: 

Eleri Crossland 

Eleri has worked tirelessly with Students for Sensible Drug Policy to provide knowledge and support on safe drug use in Durham. She has lobbied and successfully received funding for drug testing kits to ensure the safety of Durham students. 

Abby Shovelin 

Abby’s pastoral care within the History Department has singlehandedly carried students through this difficult academic year. No matter what issue you present to Abby, she knows how to make you feel comfortable and secure in moving forward.  

Shortlist: 

Stephanie Deans 

Stephanie has created new initiatives for women and the LGBTQ+ community, as well as inviting speakers to the Van Mildert Dimensions programme to enrich student experience. 

Isi Ali 

Isi has been invaluable to the Van Mildert Talk and Support team. His aura is infectious and uplifting, and he has made an incredibly positive impact in so many ways. 

 

Best Common Room Newcomer Award  

Winner: 

Alice Bathurst 

Having never been to a Durham Ball, Alice has put in countless hours, organising the event in the challenging circumstance we find ourselves in. Alice has been amazing, overcoming any problems that have come her way. 

Shortlist:  

Akvile Jadzgeviciute 

Akvile stepped into the St Aidan's SCR executive to help with social media and other tasks. As a curious and brilliant person, Akvile is always looking for opportunities to grow and then pass those lessons on. 

 

Best New Society Award  

Winner: 

Beekeeping Society 

Beekeeping Society are a practical group that have somehow thrived in a pandemic. They have over 40 members, and arrange countless events to provide knowledge and networks for Durham students. They are proactive and organised, and are excelling in a year that was set against them. 

Shortlist: 

Doctor Who Society 

WhoSoc has become a friendly space for all kinds of students to share in something that they love and spend some time away from the stresses of academic life. 

History in Politics Society 

The History in Politics Society has hosted many engaging events, from virtual conversations with the UK Ministry of Defence’s Director of Innovation to an in-person historical themed walk.  

 

Best Student Group Event Award  

Winner: 

Islamic Society 

Islamic Society delivered an incredible 1.7k meals, both to students and members of the community, across the month of Ramadan and have had a fully inclusive event open to all members, where non-Muslim students in need have received meals. 

Shortlist: 

Purple Radio 

Purple Radio’s ‘Christmas Special’ consisted of a 12-hour uninterrupted broadcast. There were 38 ‘mini-shows’ and 71 people taking part, showcasing the best of Purple Radio’s talent. 

History Society 

The History Society conference championed diversity in an unprecedented manner, bringing together academics to discuss the topic of 'Revolution. Rebellion. Resistance.' 

 

Exceptional Commitment to a Student Group Award  

Winner: 

Freddy Sperring 

As the Social Secretary for the LGBT+ Association, Freddy has planned online social events almost every week, and has strived to ensure the activities cater to different preferences and comfort levels. This has included games nights, movie nights, crafting socials, or speed friending socials to name a few.  

Shortlist: 

Chloe Todd 

Chloe has helped the Scout and Guides Group grow during a difficult year. She has forged connections with other groups, and been involved in DUSAGG's bid to co-host a national rally. 

Gabriel Radus 

Gabriel rewired Purple Radio and campaigned for a new space when the station’s original space failed Covid safety tests. Many would have closed Purple Radio for the year, but Gabriel kept going. 

 

Best College Group Award 

Winner: 

Castle MCR 

Without the team of hardworking postgrads, Castle would have been a far more lonely experience. Many friendships have been formed due to the strong program of online social events ran by Castle MCR, which have been inclusive to students all over the world. 

Shortlist: 

Ustinov College GCR 

Ustinov College GCR has continuously supported students throughout the lockdown. They plan events not only for students but also for their families, and develop a welcoming environment for all. 

 

Contribution to the College Community Award  

Winner: 

Richard Freeman 

Richard has been instrumental in the setting up and running South College JCR. It is incredibly difficult to build a community from scratch, yet Richard’s willingness to engage and create new traditions will help ensure that South students can be proud of their community for years to come. 

Shortlist: 

Diana Martinez 

Diana continually fights for the rights of postgrads and gives all her spare time to represent and support postgrads in their studies and wider student experience. 

Lucy Mainwaring Parr 

Lucy has dedicated her time at Durham to the development of St John’s community, from Fairtrade to Freshers’. Despite the challenges of Covid, she organised a brilliant Freshers’ Week for all new students.  

 

Unsung Hero Award  

Winner: 

Diana Martinez  

Diana is superhuman. She is constantly there to champion the voices of postgrads and mature students and is always willing to attend a new committee to represent them. She is incredibly reliable and a credit to the community. She will be sorely missed when she leaves Durham. 

Shortlist: 

Josh Davies  

Josh was Purple Radio’s saviour in a critical period. Despite many challenges, he managed to set up a free home broadcasting system to keep the station going through Covid-19. 

Thaddaeus Dominic Toh 

Ted stepped up to be the acting Vice President of the Islamic society. Ted has helped to solve the halal catering issue and looking into making colleges more Muslim friendly.  

 

Student Activist of the Year Award  

Winner: 

Lauren White 

Lauren has researched and investigated the Northern Student Experience Report about the discrimination northern students at Durham face from their peers. This report made national headlines and has opened up a conversation among northern and working class students.  

Shortlist: 

Lucy Milburn Greenwood 

Lucy has dedicated herself to speaking up about the prevalent issues of classism and discrimination against northern and working-class students.  

Rachel Cope Thompson 

Rachel actively campaigned against the decision to build a detention centre for women asylum seekers in Durham, getting support from students, our local MP and a non-profit organisation.  

 

Student Group of the Year Award  

Winner: 

Purple Radio 

Purple Radio has not only survived in the pandemic, but thrived: despite losing their studio and having members scattered worldwide, they’ve grown every team at the station and been able to support other societies and colleges, especially during a difficult Freshers’ Week.  

Shortlist: 

Durham Marrow 

Durham Marrow did everything possible to sign up students to the stem cell register, despite the challenges of Covid-19, from creating a podcast to trick or treat Marroween deliveries. 

Durham University Scout and Guide Group (DUSAGG)

Even in the pandemic, DUSAGG achieved their aims, running online socials every week, holding a virtual camp, and forming closer bonds with other scouting and guiding groups. 

 

Outstanding Contribution to the Durham Community Award  

Winner: 

Saabir Petker 

Saabir is an integral part of the Islamic Society. He has coordinated prayers at the Grey College Islamic Prayer Room, five times a day, for the past year, without a single case of Covid-19. He has also led the single biggest community fundraiser to distribute Iftar meals in Durham County during the pandemic. 

Shortlist: 

Lauren White 

Lauren’s report on northern students' discrimination and how this impacts others at the university resonated with many other local students who live in Durham beyond term time.  

Jack Simmonds 

As the Chair of MCR PresComm, Jack has championed the voices of postgrads and those from many different backgrounds, using his experience from a range of different roles in his JCR.