GLAM wins at 2024 Vice-Chancellor's Awards

Teams from across GLAM were recognized at the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards on Wednesday 8 May. Seven initiatives were finalists across six separate categories, of which three were selected as winners.

The Bodleian Libraries won the Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award for their We Are Our History: Towards Racial Equity project. The project helps the Bodleian Libraries to take a close look at its collections, its work with audiences, and its staffing through the lens of race and the legacies of the British Empire. The aim of the project is to make recommendations for improvements in a range of areas covering collections, audiences and staffing – supporting the Bodleian’s commitment to actively foster inclusionand diversity in everything it does. The Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award recognises colleagues who role model equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) through their work, and have made a difference to EDI at Oxford.

Two GLAM teams were joint winners of the Community Partnership Award, which recognises colleagues who have partnered with others to make a positive difference locally, nationally or globally. The judging panel could not choose between the two GLAM projects so it was the only category where the panel opted to have two winners.  

The GLAM team with the Vice-Chancellor at the Vice-Chancellor's Awards

The GLAM Division won for its Inclusive programming for adults with learning disabilities in the University of Oxford’s Gardens, Libraries, and Museum (photo, left). This strand of core delivery provides a free, regular and comprehensive programme to adults with learning disabilities in a holistic and friendly environment. The initiative is coordinated by the GLAM Community Engagement team and developed collaboratively with the community itself, empowering individuals to access GLAM’s seven venues and collections with confidence. 

History of Science Museum and Africa project team with Vice-Chancellor

The History of Science Museum was also joint winner for Supporting young people from African families in accessing science capital, a project with scientists from the MPLS Division (photo, right). This collaboration saw colleagues from a number of University departments working with community group, African Families in the UK, to support young people of African and black Caribbean heritage to enjoy science and build cultural connections. Based in Blackbird Leys, one of the 20% most deprived wards in the country, the project included a programme of events and workshops at the History of Science Museum, the University’s science facilities, and other sites – helping those from migrant families to develop and build confidence and self-esteem and bring them closer to the scientific community. 

Four other areas of GLAM featured as finalists in three separate categories. The History of Science Museum and the Bodleian Libraries were finalists for the Research Engagement Award, which recognises those who have enriched their research through engaging with those outside the University, for the benefits of wider society. This was for the Collecting COVID Public and community engagement with research project.

Staff at Pitt Rivers Museum were finalists for Growing an Inclusive Research Team at the Pitt Rivers Museum in the category of Research Culture Award, which recognises those who have contributed to a positive, inclusive and equitable research culture. The Accessible Resources Unit (ACARU) at the Bodleian Libraries were finalists in the Supporting Students Award for their continuous work in supporting disabled student inclusion through creation of accessible resources through providing Braille, audio, tactile and electronic materials for print-disabled readers. In the Enhancing Oxford's Professional Services Award that recognises professional and administrative staff who support the University's academic mission, the GLAM Division (Gardens and Museums IT team) were finalists for IT Professionals Working Together to Deliver IT & AV Systems for Reuben College and GLAM, working collaboratively to implement physical networking, wireless networking, audio-visual systems, access, security and building management systems as part of the development of Reuben College, a major and complex capital project.

Adults with Learning Difficulties activity session

Adults with Learning Difficulties activity session

Hayleigh Jutson, Community Engagement Assistant said: "The GLAM ALD team are delighted and honoured to have won the Vice Chancellor's Community Partnership Award. The success of this programme truly is the result of great collaboration and partnership between GLAM colleagues and the community itself. Our participants are so pleased and we are all really excited to share this achievement together and thank everyone involved for their support and recognition of the programme. We also extend our biggest congratulations to our co-winners in the same category, the History of Science Museum." 

Christopher Parkin, Learning Producer at the History of Science Museum said: "We are hugely excited to be a winner of the Vice Chancellor's Community Partnership Award and very happy on behalf of the young people we are working with from African Families in the UK who have been such an amazing group to work with. We are also delighted to have had this opportunity to continue and develop a partnership that originated from the Science Together programme building on the work the History of Science Museum and science departments are doing with the community."

The Vice-Chancellor's Awards recognise the achievements and celebrate success across the University – from academics and researchers to professional, technical and support staff, whether they are in colleges, divisions, departments, central services, libraries, museums or elsewhere. The awards celebrate excellence, dedication, courage, ambition and inspirational contributions to Oxford’s mission.

There were 250 award entries across the 11 categories this year, representing 1,500 individuals from all parts of the University and colleges. Nominations were assessed by stream judging panels made up of colleagues from across the central University, divisions, colleges and GLAM. Final decisions about the winners and highly commended nominations were made by the Vice-Chancellor and Senior Officers.

Find out more on the Awards webpage.