As part of the University of Manchester’s Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW), the Future-Ready Postdoc event on Wednesday, 18th September 2024, was a fantastic success. A particular highlight was the presentation of the Research Staff Excellence Awards, celebrating the outstanding contributions made by our talented researchers.

Recognising Excellence Across Disciplines

To kick off the event, Professor Melissa Westwood took the stage to honour the winners of the 2024 Research Staff Excellence Awards. Professor Westwood spoke passionately about the vital role of postdoctoral researchers, saying:

We are thrilled to take this opportunity to recognise and celebrate the immense contributions our postdoctoral researchers make to the university and the broader research community. Your dedication, innovation, and tireless efforts are the backbone of the groundbreaking research that defines our institution.

We are incredibly proud to announce the winners, who have gone above and beyond in their fields:

• Research Staff of the Year
• FBMH: Dr. Jonathan Worboys: Jonathan stepped up to take on many lab-head responsibilities after his supervisor left, while continuing to produce groundbreaking research on T cells and cancer, including a major publication in Nature Communications.
• FSE: Dr. Reem Swidah: During a year that included her pregnancy and maternity leave in 2023-2024, Reem received multiple prestigious awards, including the prestigious L’Oréal UNESCO For Women in Science UK & Ireland Rising Talent Award, the Falling Walls Female Science Talents Award, and the Innovation Enabling Award from R2I & EPSRC IAA from UoM. She secured a UKRI grant as a co-researcher investigator to establish an international partnership with Japan, promoting global scientific collaboration.
• HUMS: Dr. Patricia Irizar: Patricia has published 13 articles in 2023-2024, led impactful research on ethnic inequalities in mental health, and revitalised departmental seminars while mentoring and supporting PGR students.
• Outstanding Contribution to Research Impact by Research Staff
• FBMH: Dr. Leah Quinlivan: Leah’s research has transformed national services for self-harm patients by improving psychosocial assessments and community care, significantly reducing distress and potentially preventing future suicides.
• FSE: Dr. Jacob Elms: Jacob’s development of the ABCAS model has transformed aircraft engine performance, reducing damage from mineral dust and saving the aerospace industry millions, while also contributing to more sustainable fuel efficiency.
• HUMS: Dr. Luciana Lang: Luciana led inter-faith knowledge exchange events, which engaged 145 participants and generated impactful insights for Manchester City Council’s Age-friendly Action Plan, while forging strong connections with diverse faith communities.
• Outstanding Contribution to Research Staff Environment
• FSE: Dr. Ethan Simpson: Ethan has fostered a strong sense of community in the Particle Physics group by organising social events like the ‘HEP bake-off’ and hiking trips, helping to reduce isolation and build collegiality across staff and students.
• HUMS: Dr. Laura Pottinger: Laura has enriched the Research Staff Environment by organising inclusive SEED Stitch events that combine crafting and research sharing, fostering community ties while supporting well-being and sustainability.
• Outstanding Contribution to Social Responsibility
• FBMH: Dr. Harriet Bickley: Dr. Bickley has dedicated 26 years to suicide and self-harm research while championing environmental sustainability through initiatives like Easy Eco for All and community engagement projects, making a significant impact on both academic and local communities.
• FSE: Dr. David Cushing: Dr. Cushing is recognised for his innovative research on the UK National Lottery, which not only achieved widespread media coverage but also engaged diverse communities, showcasing the real-world impact of mathematical concepts.
• HUMS: Dr. Kirstie Hartwell: Dr. Hartwell is acknowledged for her collaborative work on early language interventions for children with Down syndrome, demonstrating a commitment to community engagement and co-production in research.
• Outstanding Interdisciplinary Research
• FBMH: Dr. Jack Benton: Dr. Benton is an exemplary early career researcher specialising in the impact of urban spaces on human wellbeing, fostering collaborations across psychology, geography, and social sciences to influence policy and industry practices.
• FSE: Dr. Goutham Soletti: Dr. Soletti has made significant contributions to the field of materials science with his pioneering research on Å-scale 2D capillary devices, which has broad implications for technologies like desalination and sensing.
• HUMS: Dr. Angela Whitecross: Dr. Whitecross has been instrumental in leading interdisciplinary projects that address health inequities by co-producing research with various community groups, showcasing her unique ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Outstanding Research Output
• FBMH: Dr. Michal Dudek: Dr. Dudek has excelled in publishing high-quality research on circadian clocks in musculoskeletal systems, garnering significant grants and mentoring the next generation of scientists.
• FSE: Dr. Robert Nixon: Dr. Nixon has had a substantial impact on polymer mechanochemistry and supramolecular chemistry, developing innovative systems for cargo release and contributing to major publications in top-tier journals.
• HUMS: Dr. James Fletcher: Dr. Fletcher’s monograph, The Biopolitics of Dementia, critiques conventional notions of dementia, earning him invitations to international conferences and demonstrating his commitment to mentoring and supporting the wider research community.

Looking Ahead

The Future-Ready Postdoc event was organised and hosted by the Researcher Development team, bringing together researchers from across the university to celebrate achievements and focus on future career development.

As we wrap up another successful Postdoc Appreciation Week, we look forward to continuing to support and develop our postdoctoral researchers, who play a pivotal role in making the University of Manchester a leader in cutting-edge research.

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