Student Experience Awards 2026
On Friday 5 June, we hosted our annual Student Experience Awards at the stunning Liverpool Town Hall, celebrating the students and staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to create positive change and enhance the student experience at LJMU.
The evening began with a drinks reception, giving guests the opportunity to socialise while enjoying music from a live harpist. Attendees then moved into the magnificent main hall for a three-course meal before the awards ceremony got underway.
It was a truly memorable evening, made even more poignant as it marked the final official event for our 2025/26 Student Officer Team. The officers delivered heartfelt speeches reflecting on their time in post and expressing their gratitude to everyone who supported them along the way.
Congratulations to all our nominees and winners. Here is the full list of those recognised for their outstanding contributions this year.
Outstanding Course Team
Winner: Cyber Security Team
"The course team consistently creates an engaging and supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to develop confidence, build real world skills and reach their full potential. Through their practical approach to learning, strong organisation and commitment to student success, they help students feel valued, supported and prepared for life beyond university. Their collaborative approach has created a positive academic community where students can thrive and truly feel a sense of belonging."
Audio and Music Production Team
"The team has created a welcoming and inclusive environment where every student is treated with dignity, care and respect. Their supportive approach helps students feel valued and encouraged to succeed, regardless of their background or experiences. Through their dedication to student support, inclusive teaching and genuine investment in students beyond graduation, they have built a strong sense of community where students feel they truly belong."
English Literature Team
"The department has created a supportive and welcoming environment where students feel confident, valued and encouraged to succeed. Through engaging teaching, meaningful feedback and a genuine passion for their subject, the team consistently goes above and beyond to support students throughout their journey. Their commitment to creating opportunities and preparing students for life beyond university has built a strong community where students can thrive."
Outstanding Teacher
Winner: Ian Bowden
"They consistently go above and beyond to create an engaging and supportive learning environment where students feel motivated, encouraged and able to thrive. Through their passion for teaching, approachable nature and commitment to student success, they make complex topics accessible while helping students build confidence both academically and professionally. Their dedication, enthusiasm and genuine care for students have had a lasting impact on the learning experience."
Bob Cumiskey
"They consistently go above and beyond to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel valued, encouraged and able to succeed. Through their engaging teaching, genuine care and dedication to student wellbeing, they help students build confidence both academically and personally. Their lasting impact can be seen in the way students continue to recognise and value the difference they have made throughout their university journey."
Dr. Percy Leung
"They create an engaging and supportive learning environment where students feel confident, motivated and excited to learn. Through their dynamic teaching style, approachable nature and genuine commitment to student success, they make complex topics accessible while encouraging students to challenge themselves and reach their potential. Their enthusiasm, creativity and dedication have made a lasting impact on students both academically and personally."
Outstanding Personal Tutor
Winner: Dr. Karl Jones
"They consistently create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel valued, heard and connected. Through their approachable nature, tailored guidance and genuine care for student wellbeing, they help students build confidence, navigate challenges and achieve their potential. Their dedication, empathy and commitment to supporting students both academically and personally has had a lasting impact on the student experience."
Emma Clark
"They consistently create a welcoming and inclusive environment where students feel valued, heard and genuinely supported. Through their approachable nature and tailored guidance, they help students build confidence, navigate challenges and develop both academically and personally. Their dedication, empathy and commitment to student success have had a lasting impact on students’ journeys and sense of belonging within the university."
Dr. Will Jackson
"They have consistently gone above and beyond to provide support both academically and personally, helping students feel heard, encouraged and capable of overcoming challenges. Through their tailored guidance, regular support and genuine care for student wellbeing, they have helped students build confidence and believe in their own potential. Their dedication and lasting impact has played a significant role in supporting both personal growth and academic success."
Academic Support Star
Winner: Harriet Morley
"They are a valued and trusted source of support, always willing to offer advice, guidance and encouragement to students and colleagues alike. Their ability to support a wide range of student needs, combined with their warmth, knowledge and approachable nature, helps create a welcoming environment where students feel confident and supported. Through their dedication and genuine care for the student experience, they have become an integral part of the community and a positive influence on those around them."
Dr. Kirsty Lever
"They demonstrate exceptional dedication to supporting student success, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where students feel respected, encouraged and capable of achieving their potential. Through their balance of academic rigour and empathy, they help students build the skills and confidence needed to succeed, particularly those navigating higher education for the first time. Their support, encouragement and commitment have had a lasting impact on students at the very start of their academic journey."
Suzanne Smith-Gapper
"They consistently go above and beyond to provide exceptional support, making processes easier and more accessible for both staff and students. Their patient, approachable and proactive approach helps students overcome challenges and feel confident throughout their studies. Through their dedication, empathy and commitment to student success, they have made a meaningful and lasting impact on the learning experience."
Professional Services Star
Winner: Laura Heatley
"They have made a significant difference to students throughout their global opportunities journey, providing consistent support, reassurance and guidance every step of the way. Their approachable nature, quick responses and genuine care help students feel confident and supported during what can often be a daunting experience. Whether supporting students before departure or while they are thousands of miles away, they create a sense of stability and belonging that leaves a lasting impact."
Gemma Taylor
"They consistently demonstrate exceptional expertise, knowledge and dedication in their role, but what truly sets them apart is their kindness and willingness to support others. Always approachable and ready to help, they create an environment where people feel comfortable seeking guidance and support. Through their compassionate and practical approach, they have made a significant difference to both staff and students, helping people feel informed, reassured and confident during what can often be challenging transitions."
Sharon Gouldbourn
"They consistently go above and beyond in everything they do, combining exceptional knowledge and attention to detail with a warm, approachable and positive attitude. Their willingness to help, proactive approach and genuine care for both staff and students creates confidence and reassurance for those around them. Their dedication, efficiency and ability to make people feel supported has made a lasting impact and makes them a valued and appreciated member of the community."
Contribution to Belonging and Community
Winner: Student Software Engineering Team
"The team is a student founded and led community that creates a strong sense of belonging through shared projects, peer mentoring and real world experiences. By providing a welcoming space to collaborate, they help students find their peers, build confidence and develop a sense of identity within their discipline, particularly those who may not initially see themselves as leaders or confident contributors. Through student leadership, inclusive participation and opportunities to showcase their work, they have created a supportive community where students feel valued, connected and empowered to grow."
Dr. Áine MacDermott
"Within the university, their inclusive, student centred teaching further reinforces a sense of belonging. They support students from a wide range of educational and cultural backgrounds, ensuring they feel capable, confident, and able to succeed. By balancing academic rigour with empathy, they create a learning environment where students can be their authentic selves while striving for excellence. Through their leadership, innovation, and dedication to equity and inclusion, they have made a significant and lasting contribution to fostering belonging and community."
Sleiman Darwish
"Throughout their time as Vice President, they have demonstrated a deep commitment to fostering a strong sense of belonging among students. Their presence is both welcoming and inspiring, naturally creating an environment where individuals feel valued, included, and comfortable being their authentic selves. Equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in everything they do, helping to create a community where differences are not only accepted but genuinely appreciated. Their impact is not only seen through events and initiatives, but in the way people feel welcomed, supported and connected."
Outstanding Student Rep
Winner: Gizem Kandemir
"They have demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership in representing their peers, acting as a trusted link between students and staff with professionalism and care. Through their dedication, collaborative approach and genuine commitment to improving the student experience, they have helped create a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel heard, valued and encouraged to engage."
Winner: Amima Zubair
"They have shown exceptional dedication and commitment to ensuring that students feel heard and represented. Through their proactive approach, strong communication and genuine care for their peers, they consistently create opportunities for student voices to be shared and acted upon. Their reliability, professionalism and determination to improve the student experience has made a lasting impact on their course community."
Milly Plant
"They have shown a consistent commitment to representing and supporting their peers, helping to create a welcoming and supportive community within their programme. Through their reliability, approachable nature and dedication to improving the student experience, they have gone beyond representing the needs of their own cohort, making meaningful contributions that have positively impacted the wider student community."
Erin Garland
"They have shown a proactive and dedicated approach to student representation, consistently ensuring that student voices are heard and acted upon. Through their professionalism, approachable nature and active involvement across the wider student community, they have played an important role in strengthening engagement and creating meaningful connections between students, staff and the wider student experience."
Student Star
Winner: Connor Eves
"They have shown a genuine passion for enhancing the student experience through their involvement in student representation, research and wider university initiatives. Their work has helped bring important student perspectives to the forefront, particularly around the experiences of late diagnosed neurodivergent students, helping to inform future practice and priorities. Their proactive approach, dedication and commitment to creating positive change has made a meaningful impact on both students and the wider university community."
Danielle Currie
"They are a highly respected member of their cohort, recognised for their professionalism, compassion and commitment to learning. Through their willingness to support and encourage others, they help build confidence and create a positive environment where students feel valued and supported. Their caring nature and dedication to helping those around them has made them a trusted and uplifting presence within the university community."
Chris Kaser
"They are a hardworking and positive student who consistently goes above and beyond to support those around them. Through their willingness to share knowledge, encourage peers and contribute to the wider student community, they have become a valued presence within their cohort. Their patience, dedication and commitment to helping others succeed has made a meaningful impact on both individual students and the wider community."
Paddy Cree and Riham Bakhouche
"Through the Belonging Podcast, they have created a platform that brings real student stories to life, helping others feel seen, heard and connected. By creating a welcoming space for students to share their experiences and carefully shaping each story, they have played a vital role in promoting inclusion and belonging across the LJMU community. Their work has the potential to create a lasting impact, helping current and future students see that there is a place for them at LJMU."
To listen to the podcast, search for ‘The Belonging Podcast’ on Spotify.
Phillip Minty
"They have shown incredible determination and resilience throughout their university journey, overcoming significant challenges while continuing to fully engage with their studies. Their warmth, positivity and commitment to changing their future for the better has made a lasting impression on both staff and fellow students. Through their dedication and perseverance, they have become a valued member of the university community and an inspiration to those around them."
Outstanding Contribution to Student Experience
Winner: Dr Phil Carey
"Universities are unusual places. Buildings change. Strategies change. Technology changes. We invent new acronyms every year that somehow make perfect sense at the time.
But every so often, there are individuals whose influence becomes woven into the fabric of the institution itself. For 28 years, Phil has been one of those people. Throughout his career, he has been a champion for academic excellence, student success, and the transformative power of higher education.
He has led with integrity, wisdom, and an unwavering belief in the potential of students and colleagues alike. His impact reaches far beyond the roles he has held or the projects he has led. It can be found in the culture he has helped shape, the colleagues he has supported, the leaders he has developed, and the countless students whose lives have been changed because of opportunities he helped create."
VP Education Award
Winner: Lucy Ollier
"This award goes to a student who has been engaged since their very first day, they were a course rep for the duration of their course and have been involved with SEAs even as a first year. They continue being a key point of contact for their school and the most wonderful and bubbly person every time we meet.
I look at this person and see intelligence, confidence and pure kindness.
They do the absolute most with what they have and are a massive supporter to not just the work I do, but the other officers here tonight. They are keen to attend as many of our forums and activities as possible and contributes meaningfully to those spaces not just as a school rep for their peers on academic experience, but outside of that as well."
Congratulations to all our nominees and winners, and thank you for a wonderful celebration!
All photos can be found on the JMSU Facebook page.
