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I want to nominate Jackie Clarke for the excellent work that she has done as Research & Knowledge Exchange Convenor in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. Jackie is stepping down from this role at the end of this academic year but, along with her Deputy, Shanti Graheli, she has contributed to a real step change in how research is being done in SMLC. Thanks to her active encouragement and care, colleagues have started engaging with public-facing research and collaborative projects in a way which would have been inconceivable previously in SMLC. Thank you, Jackie!

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Michael is very generous with his time and sharing resources, particularly related to those which will directly contribute to career development and progression. Michael does not even realise how kind and generous he is. There is much to be grateful for and Michael contributes to the SMLC collegiality and support – it is so appreciated.

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Edward may not have been in the School long, but he has already had a significant positive impact on our research culture. He leads in a way that is collegiate, transparent, and consistently fair, modelling openness in decision-making and a genuine willingness to listen. He is actively working to bring the School together, fostering collaboration across areas that might otherwise remain disconnected. On a personal level, he has been generous with his support of my research, celebrating successes, offering thoughtful strategic advice, and encouraging next steps. His approach creates an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported, and motivated to thrive.

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Laura has been an invaluable mentor throughout my PhD journey, providing verbal and written feedback on my writing when I needed it most and having a positive influence on my confidence as a scientist. She has engaged in numerous scientific conversations with me to enhance my understanding of the research I was involved in and how it ties in with the wider cardiovascular field. Laura goes above and beyond to foster a collegiate environment in her own lab group and the School.

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In her roles as both head of the Human Geography Research Group and Engagement and Impact Support for HGRG, Hester continually goes above and beyond to create a supportive and friendly researching environment. Always on hand to listen, offer advice and encouragement, she brings immense knowledge but also care in her support of other people's research. This combinations allows so many to flourish in their academic careers.

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Patrick has taken over as Subject Group lead in IPED just about a year ago. Since then, he has made such a positive difference to everyone in the subject by creating new spaces for genuine academic exchange, for example through the Lunch & Learn seminars, while building a positive, empowering, and thriving research culture in IPED, both for academic staff and our PGRs. Given that IPED is a new Subject, Patrick's enthusiasm has helped us to come together as a group, find common ground, and do so as a vibrant and collegial academic community.

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Bridget has been a consistent champion of academic nursing careers and plays a pivotal role in supporting the development of the next generation of clinical academic nurses. She actively promotes opportunities for nurses to engage in research, mentorship, and leadership, recognising the importance of building sustainable clinical–academic pathways. She has created an environment where early career researchers are encouraged to develop ambitious programmes of work and pursue impactful collaborations. Her commitment to expanding the scope and influence of nursing research is instrumental in strengthening the profession’s future at the University of Glasgow and beyond.

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Rachel manages people with empathy, challenges with calm, and never loses sight of the people around her. Her work, values, and actions inspire confidence, courage, and belief. Additionally, she is one of the bravest and most resilient people I know. She rowed the Atlantic (yes, across the ocean) and faced it with courage and determination. Rachel leads with heart, lifts people up, and proves that even the toughest goals can be tackled with bravery, teamwork, and a little bit of fun.

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Nicola works tirelessly to support and develop the technical staff in SCMH. She has been instrumental in a number of cross-College/university initiatives around the technician's commitment and is always encouraging her team to look for new opportunities to develop their skills and helped with many successful regrading applications. Further, she has hosted many school pupils in work experience opportunities to give them insight into science and encourage them to consider this as a career after school.

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I found him to be technically very strong and engaged in all of his projects. He taught me how to conduct ethical research, which reshaped my research approach. He also emphasised the importance of doing research that leads to real impact, rather than just another research paper.

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Dr Mohammad is my second supervisor, but he has supported me far beyond what is normally expected of this role. He has devoted substantial time to my development, offering detailed feedback, practical guidance, and helping me build a clear and systematic research approach. With his support, my understanding of research and academic practice has improved greatly. He also demonstrates genuine care for my wellbeing, providing encouragement and support during challenging periods.

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Craig McDonald, the former Director of Research of our School, provided outstanding support for our research and played a key role in fostering a genuinely supportive and enabling research environment. He was consistently approachable and actively supported funding applications and conference travel, ensuring that researchers could disseminate their work, build networks, and engage meaningfully with the wider research community. Through his leadership, he created an environment in which researchers felt supported, valued, and empowered to pursue ambitious, high-quality research.

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I would like to thank Claire, Kayleigh and Michelle for being so supportive of myself and everyone else in the Centre. They are not only incredible at their job, but they are always open and happy to give advice in any topic you can think of. I know I can rely on them and will always have some help.

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Ellen is a wonderfully supportive colleague and mentor. On a personal level, she has provided me with really valuable advice and support related to publishing and helped me get my first sole-authored article published. She is a great team member who happily signs up to help with division-level events (it’s so refreshing to see a professor willing to take time to help with organising the Christmas party!) as well as initiating supportive projects of benefit to the whole school. Ellen is particularly supportive of early career academics. Thank you Ellen – we really appreciate you!

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Paddy provides a lot of support and encouragement for PhD students in our research group, going above and beyond her role as a post-doc researcher to share her experience and expertise with others. Whilst she has been involved in several initiatives within the school to improve research culture, I'm nominating her for the little things she does everyday to make the academic world a more friendly place - especially for new PhD students.

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Kay leadership always leaves a real impact. Despite an incredibly busy schedule, she makes time to listen, invite ideas, and create space for genuine discussion and collaboration. She is always open to new and innovative thinking, and even when an idea needs shaping, her guidance and wisdom help turn it into something more thoughtful and impactful. One thing that really stands out is how generously she gives credit to others’ work. She makes sure colleagues’ contributions are visible and recognised. There is a lot to learn from how Kay works. I have especially learned from the way she sets clear boundaries while still making people feel supported and included

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Helen's involvement on the resdev team within my CDT proves her passion for aiding early career researchers in propelling their career further. She is always on the lookout for relevant training opportunities and ways to put her students into the spotlight. Furthermore, Helen is always happy to draw on her experiences throughout her own career to offer personal advice and expertise. She is a role model, showing how other academics should empower their own students to better themselves.

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Dr Aisling McFall brings a passion and enthusiasm for science and research which is contagious across my group and the wider School. She supports students (PGR, PGT, UGT) in their ongoing research projects and is always available to answer questions not only from those in the group but beyond. Her role as lead of our culture & environment subcommittee of the Athena Swan SAT has led to several events being planned and executed to help build a feeling of community in the School. She is an inspiration and an exceptional scientist - a role model for all.

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Rhoda is a fantastic colleague. Her brilliant sense of humour brightens even the busiest days, and her thorough, thoughtful way of working keeps everything running smoother than any spreadsheet ever could! This makes her someone everyone trusts and turns to. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and always happy to help, no matter what’s going on. I love the passion she brings to everything she does. Rhoda doesn’t just make the work better; she makes people around her smile while doing it.

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I want to take a moment to bring my thanks to Lina for your continued support and guidance. As colleagues, your advice and suggestion are inspiring, and have had a real impact on my professional growth. I truly appreciate how open you are in sharing your knowledge, offering thoughtful advice, and encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone. Your support makes a big difference. Thank you for being approachable, supportive, and consistently encouraging.

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João's presence in our group is in some ways 'understated' as his role is 'behind the scenes'. You may find him hidden in a lab or running between them. At the same time he is one of THE most important people in our group, supporting PhD students, PDRAs and our academics and group leader with all the technical support required to ensure their projects are successful. His responsibilities encompass everything from managing and coordinating laboratories and equipment, overseeing daily research operations, proposal writing, project management, and mentoring. He is forthright and strong in his leadership when required but keeps a cool head in a crisis and cheers us up with his cheeky humour!

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Beyond her scholarly contributions, where she is generous with time and creativity, Cassandra actively and proactively reaches out to postgraduate researchers whom she has no "formal" responsibility for but have shown bravery in disclosing struggles at public events, offering guidance, reassurance, and practical support. Her approachability, generosity with her time, and commitment to care help create an environment in which PGRs feel valued, supported, and confident to develop as researchers. This is the sort of stuff that can go under the radar but it has inspired me to be a better supervisor and make the university a better place, so I wanted to raise it.

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This year Katherine has developed SCCA Writing Retreats which offer a dedicated drop-in space for people from across the School College and University to undertake structured research writing in a shared and supportive, low-pressure environment. This is further testament to Katherine's selfless and generous collegiality, and her committment to community building in research, as in all other professional spaces.

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Sam genuinely cares about the progression of her team as well as the research support provided in the College. She has led changes smoothly and ensures that we always have a service that is not only fit for the ‘now’ but is ready for the future. I appreciate Sam as a great colleague to think through ideas with.

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One of the most relevant traits in Charlotte is her emotional intelligence. It’s practically her superpower. She reads team dynamics instantly, builds trust without even trying, and somehow always explains the bigger picture in a way that makes you think, “Oh! Now it all makes sense.” She’s incredibly thoughtful, people focused, and genuinely passionate about helping others grow through mentoring and development. Charlotte leads with empathy, clarity, and a calm that makes everything feel more manageable. Working with her is a masterclass in positive culture change, and I feel very lucky to learn from her every day!

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Aud is an amazing example of supporting others. Aud is the definition of professionalism, but on top of this she goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcome and included (positive research culture). She always has a smile and time to help others (despite being hugely busy herself, supporting others). Aud hosts the introduction coffee meetings for new staff, and goes over and above, providing homemade treats (her tablet is the most amazing you'll ever try!). We could not have a better "face" of SHW to demonstrate our Athena Swan Gold Award.

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Professor Evelyn Arizpe is a wonderful, collegial mentor and supporter. She advocates for colleagues in ways that are both powerful and gentle, ensuring that career decisions are made with a mind to both progression within the system, but also life balance and care. Evelyn has supported me in official and unofficial capacities across my academic career and is someone I can always turn to when considering the big questions in life. I value the ways she nurtures and protects those around her while encouraging us to take risks and flourish. Whenever her name comes up both within the university and in academic circles beyond there is always a warmth and respect.

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Alistair's role as Good Research Practice Advisor for the School is an important one and he has fulfilled this with care and enthusiasm. However, he has also gone beyond this in providing support to colleagues, acting in a mentor role with sensitivity and confidentiality. This kind of personal contribution should definitely be acknowledged and celebrated - making time for a colleague, and caring, is a fundamental and generous act in a positive Research Culture.

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Mark has been such a wonderful line manager and an incredibly supportive colleague. His thoughtful, caring guidance has genuinely helped me grow and I’m so grateful for the encouragement he’s shared along the way. Thank you, Mark - you’ve been an absolute star!

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I want to nominate Shanti Graheli for the brilliant work that she has done as Deputy Research & Knowledge Exchange Convenor in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. This was a new role in the School and she has really made it her own. Together with Jackie Clarke, the R&KE Convenor, Shanti has contributed directly to transforming the research culture in SMLC through taking the time and care to meet with colleagues individually and discuss their research projects and aspirations. She is also leading by example through her own research projects and grant applications.

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Ariadne has joined us as Head of Division a year ago and has demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to so many of us. Her support for colleagues across all career stages is unparalleled. She always has an open ear, offers genuine, robust, and compassionate advice, and exemplifies excellence and collegiality in a senior leader. She empowers colleagues and is a role model to aspire to.

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Sofia is a kind, helpful and supportive member of the team. She not only champions research professionals as her role as RSM, but also academics. She lifts up everyone around her. She is generous with her time in explaining processes, demonstrating best practice and giving opportunities to members of her team. She regularly gives her time to present at forums designed to develop researchers and their grant proposals (such as Ignite, or School-level presentations) and genuinely cares about building a positive research culture.

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Daniel Clarkson consistently goes above and beyond to supporting PhD researchers and visitors in the group, particularly for improving their work, how to manage writing their thesis, preparing for their viva, and feedback for their presentations. Daniel’s approachable manner creates a genuinely supportive research environment.

His willingness to assist others - often before they even ask - has made a meaningful

difference to the daily experience and professional growth of many colleagues.

Dan’s positivity, reliability, and collegial spirit exemplify the kind of culture we strive to build.

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Lisa has been pivotal in promoting a culture of safety and responsibility within our research group. Their active role in leading and supporting the Research Health & Safety Committee and ensuring adherence to best practices has set high standards for all. They have worked tirelessly to maintain compliance for the CL3 facility, guiding complex Standard Operating Procedures. Their generosity in sharing time and expertise has enabled colleagues to access these facilities confidently, allowing them to work safely with pathogens and perform high-level research.

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Christos Anagnostopoulos is an inspiring academic whose leadership profoundly centers on creativity as the core of research excellence. By chairing IEEE ICDCS and publishing in venues like NeurIPS and SIGKDD, he models how innovative thinking drives the field forward. His approach has shown me that impactful scholarship balances rigorous discovery with imaginative vision. Through his mentorship and commitment to fostering collaborative, creative environments, he strengthens both our institutional culture and the wider academic community. He reminds us that true leadership in research lies in nurturing curiosity and enabling others to explore bold ideas.

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Jason is very supportive of neurodivergent colleagues and makes time in his busy schedule to share advice that is relevant to advancing our careers. This is especially remarkable as I'm not in his team. Sometimes, a lot of general career advice just does not apply to neurodivergent people; he understands this.

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I have recently become a parent and have returned to try to complete a fellowship. Hamish has been really kind in sharing parenting stories and made my wee boy feel welcome when I brought him in to meet the team on a day off. It might seem "small" but given how isolating fellowships are, it's nice to have people like this within a wider team.

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Tasneem demonstrated significant care and attention in the marking of laboratory submissions, providing valuable support to undergraduate students. Their thoughtful engagement with student work, combined with a clear willingness to invest the necessary time, significantly enhanced the quality and usefulness of the feedback provided.

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Diane plays a crucial role in supporting the University’s research community by navigating the complex area of research contracts. Every day, she manages highly nuanced legal and contractual issues with extraordinary skill and attention to detail, always acting in the best interests of the institution. Diane takes initiative in resolving challenges, works effectively with colleagues across job roles and grades, and communicates legal matters clearly, and – importantly - in ‘plain language’! When you work with Diane, you feel fully supported and confident about the decisions being made.

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David has led the FATA research section for as long as I've been at Glasgow and has made FATA a welcoming and vibrant research community, helping to bring together researchers from quite different subfields of Theoretical Computing Science. His own research is impactful and something to aspire to. In my experience he is a compassionate and highly competent leader and line manager who is committed to the development of his Section members.

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I want to nominate Stephen Forcer for the vibrant research culture that he has helped to create in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. As Head of School, he championed the brilliant research going on in SMLC, from PGRs and ECRs through to senior Professors, and made sure to foster an environment in which colleagues felt able to enjoy their research as well as performing highly. He has continued to play an active role as a research leader since stepping down as Head of School, not least by leading on one of SMLC's bids for the AHRC Multilingual Futures Focal Awards.

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Sumi kindly offered her time to mentor me when I was seeking support. I reached out to her specifically after benefiting from her talk at last year’s Pathfinder symposium. Throughout our sessions, Sumi was open and transparent about her lived experiences, and generous with advice and time, even with so much on her plate. Hearing her first-hand reflections, lessons, and hard-won wisdom was invaluable. In the short time she mentored me, I’ve already put her guidance into practice, which speaks to the strength of her impact on my personal and professional growth. Thank you so much for your guidance, Sumi! ✨

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She is the most available person I met in the department. We had strugling to get some issues resolved and she took the matter in hands, chasing, finding solutions, solving problems and finally get things to work for us. I never heard a NO from her, always I will try and look into it. Very resourceful and research enabling, with her IT skills and willingness to help.

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Manosh is leading by example when it comes to research leadership and collegiality. He regularly shares opportunities and provides advice on how to navigate research careers and University processes to ECRs like me. This is much appreciated and has helped a lot with feeling included in the research group.

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Mark is a proactive and effective leader, driving research and personal development with excellent ideas and structured logistical planning, but more importantly he achieves this while being extremely open, kind and supportive to all he works with. He makes those around him feel that everything is okay, nothing is scary or a big deal, and is very generous with his time, input and resources. It helps make everybody feel relaxed, confident and able to produce amazing work.

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Professor Todd Ehlers joined our School in August 2023 as its Head. Over two years, he fostered research excellence within the REF Units of Assessment 7 and 14, reorganising research groups, encouraging innovation in societal impact, and promoting weekly meetings. He mentors staff to boost their research profiles and supports grant applications. This led to a notable increase in submissions, crucially from diverse applicants. As an editor of Science, he guides colleagues in publishing impactful papers and targeting prestigious journals. He is attentive to EDI issues, always approachable, and a role model for other senior colleagues in the School.

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My supervisor is a very patient researcher, who always shows great patience during the discussions regarding the research topic. Also, she's always doing her best to build a positive research culture. What's more, she helped me more than the things she could offer as a supervisor, she cares about her students, and she always did her best to help us. What’s more, she supported me in ways that went far beyond her formal role as a supervisor. She genuinely cares about her students and has always done her very best to support us.

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Vicky went above and beyond to support the transition of my research group to the University of Glasgow and the CRUK Scotland Institute. She was transparent and thoughtful throughout, providing balanced advice before any decision was made and ensuring that my interests, and those of my team, remained central. She actively worked to minimise bias and create space for open discussion. After the move, she continued to check in regularly, offering practical guidance and personal support. Her integrity, generosity, and leadership had a genuinely positive impact on both my settling-in process and the wellbeing of my entire research group.

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I am delighted to nominate Professor Heather Ferguson for the University of Glasgow People Make Research Award for her outstanding contributions to research, mentorship, and research culture. Heather mentors many colleagues across career stages, particularly supporting early career researchers to develop independence, confidence, and leadership skills. She gives her time selflessly, always with warmth and encouragement, and often steps back to allow others to gain visibility. Heather actively fosters a positive, inclusive research environment, championing equality, diversity, and inclusion. Her guidance has been instrumental in helping me grow as a researcher and leader.

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I would like to nominate Christopher Taylor for the People Make Research recognition campaign. Chris is not only a highly skilled senior technician but also someone who brings warmth, generosity, and encouragement to every project he supports. His quiet dedication often goes unnoticed, yet it makes an enormous difference to colleagues who rely on his expertise and kindness. Christopher’s ability to solve problems creatively, share knowledge openly, and foster collaboration across teams embodies the spirit of this campaign. His support uplifts others, strengthens our research culture, and reminds us that technical staff are truly the backbone of our success.

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They have an exceptional approach to supporting others, building a positive research culture, and providing inclusive research leadership. They consistently created an encouraging and understanding writing environment where I felt comfortable asking questions, sharing drafts, and developing my work without fear of judgement. Academic writing was framed as a supported, collective process rather than something isolating or intimidating.

The team actively fostered a positive research culture through thoughtful and inclusive practices. Writing sessions were collaborative and supportive, informal moments of connection were encouraged (often involving baking!), and feedback was always constructive, generous, and clearly focused on development rather than criticism. This helped normalise the challenges of academic writing and created a strong sense of mutual support.

Their research leadership made academic writing feel accessible and achievable. Complex expectations were explained clearly and broken down into manageable steps, demystifying academic writing and making it feel far less daunting. As an early career researcher, this had a significant impact on me. My academic writing skills have improved greatly, and my confidence in tackling writing has grown substantially. I now approach academic writing with far greater clarity, confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging as a researcher.

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Hammed is one of the only reasons I have survived this PhD. While managing his own workload, goals and aspirations, he takes on responsibility to lead, teach and support many other researchers. This can be a willingness to just listen, or sacrificing his own time to work in collaboration, prioritising a positive research culture based in acknowledging everyone's value. If he sees an event, paper, conference that could benefit a researcher, there is no hesitation from him in sharing this information, encouraging development of researchers and making these strides feel accessible. Hammed is such an asset to the research community in Glasgow, though his positive impact extends much further.