On Friday 3 October 2025, our finalists, guests, and colleagues gathered at the Hilton Utilita Bowl, Southampton, for an evening filled with joy, pride, celebration, and just a little bit of dancing!
We received a record 616 nominations this year, which is testament to the collegial nature of our community, and reflects the pride and respect we have for one another. It is thanks to each of you who took the time to submit a nomination that we are able to celebrate the achievements and hard work of these colleagues, so thank you for shining a spotlight on those who deserve to be recognised. From those original 616, the awards panel had selected 36 individual and team finalists, and it was a delight to hear about their dedication and their achievements.
Congratulations to our 2025 winners:
- Advocacy, Community and Engagement – Naomi Irving
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Parents and Carers Network Co-Chairs Team: Laura Howells, Claire Partridge
- Public Good and Social Mobility – University of Sanctuary Team: Professor Bryony Whitmarsh, Claire Giles, Professor David Owen, Professor Jane Falkingham, Lauren Tancock, Dr Ronda Gowland-Pryde, Sarah Morss
- Knowledge Exchange and Enterprise – WorldPop Spatial Data Infrastructure Team: Borys Nosatiuk, Dr Elena Vataga, Dr Maksym Bondarenko, Dr Rhorom Priyatikanto, Tom McKeen, Dr Wenbin Zhang
- Research Impact – Professor Christian Bokhove
- Sustainability – University Sustainability Ranking Team: Dr Alice Brock, Ibrahim Abdulla, Molly Simmons, Professor Simon Kemp
- Inspiring Leadership – Kelly Holder
- Making It Happen – Hartley Library Collections Development & Discovery Project Team: Anna Hvass, Catherine Polley, Chris Stockley, Claire Romaniecki, Della Hettrick, Emily Rawlings, James Howells, Dr Jonathan Chipp, Julie Richards, Louise Barrett, Michael Whitton, Mike Gibson, Dr Robbie McGregor, Sarah Glaccum, Sarah Peck, Sophie Li, Tricia Hughes, Vicky Fenerty, Wendy White, Yifei Zhang
- Rising Star – Lewis Huggins
- Student Experience – Sarah Chapman
- Teaching – Dr Augustine Peprah
- Triple Helix – Professor Davide Filingeri
In addition to the 12 awards listed above, this year the Vice-Chancellor introduced an outstanding contribution award, presented to the Transnational Education: University of Southampton Delhi Campus Team in recognition of their incredible hard work in enabling Southampton to become the first university under the new legislation to open a campus in India. The Vice-Chancellor reflected that this achievement has changed the way people think of the University of Southampton, showing we are an entrepreneurial, can-do university that can achieve truly remarkable things.
Finalists, guests and hosts enjoyed a red-carpet entrance, entertainment from student musician Jimi Gardner, a three-course meal, and the much-awaited disco at the end of the evening.
You can read about all our finalists’ achievements in the VC Awards brochure:
