ISG Staff Recognition Awards 2024

ISG is proud to acknowledge the achievement of many outstanding members of staff with our nine award categories.

 

banner of 2024 All Staff Awards

Congratulation to the 2024 winners!

The staff event of the year, the annual staff recognition awards was held on the 3rd of October in the historic Playfair library. We had staff from across ISG come to celebrate the dedication, passion, and achievements of staff members who have gone above and beyond in their roles. The event highlighted the outstanding contributions of colleagues across ISG whose dedication has made a significant contribution to our university and its mission. 

The atmosphere was one of pride and celebration, as we took the opportunity to reflect on the collective accomplishments of our staff and the contributions they make every day. It was an afternoon filled with inspiration, reminding us of the incredible talent within the ISG community. 

Colleague of the Year Award

Danielle Howarth (Winner) Danielle's unique ability to make everyone feel welcome and valued—from colleagues to visiting researchers—truly sets her apart. Whether managing new changes within User Services or leading community engagement initiatives, Danielle consistently excels and brings out the best in her team. Her proactive approach and dedication continually enhance both our services and workplace morale. 
  • Jenny Nex​
  • Crystal Webster​
  • Martin Jones​

Inspiring Role Model 

Defeng Ma​ (Winner) As a team leader for developers at SSP, Defeng consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership, characterized by his calm presence, remarkable empathy, and deep listening skills. He supports his team through technical challenges and personal growth, always fostering a positive and focused environment. Defeng’s generosity in sharing his vast knowledge not only benefits our team but also extends across the university and beyond, enhancing our reputation and inspiring excellence.
  • Susan Cooke​
  • Alasdair MacDonald ​
  • Satu Kapiainen

ISG In the Community Award

Zohra O'Doherty (Winner) Zohra has been a committed volunteer with the Get Online with Edinburgh Libraries initiative since 2022, utilizing her tech skills to enhance digital literacy and reduce social isolation in our community. Each week, she dedicates hours at her local library, where she empowers individuals with the digital skills essential for today's world. From helping a former medical professional navigate basic administrative tasks to teaching a retiree how to book exercise classes online safely, Zohra’s efforts have noticeably boosted the confidence of her learners. Furthermore, her initiative to recruit more volunteers shows her dedication not just to service but to fostering a broader community of support. Zohra truly embodies the spirit of contribution and community engagement, making her a deserving candidate for this award. 
  • Fiona Hendrie​
  • Their Finest Hour (LTW Team)​
  • Laura Beattie ​

Team Player Award​

Ellen Groen (Winner) Ellen is known for her proactive and inclusive approach and we would like to applaud her exceptional contributions to promoting teamwork, support, and collaboration within the Web Migration Project team. Her outstanding communication skills ensure that every team member feels heard and valued, creating an environment rich in collaboration. Ellen emphasizes organization and clarity in all her tasks, making sure her team is well-equipped and informed. Through her dedication to team well-being and continuous improvement, Ellen not only propels the project forward but also fosters a workplace culture that celebrates learning and mutual support. ​
  • Janice Rhodes​
  • Laurence Anderson​
  • Peter Donoghue

Student Staff Member of the Year 

Eden Swimer (Winner) As an intern with the OER Service in 2023, Eden helped coordinate the “Their Finest Hour” project. He managed a complex Digital Collection Day, expertly handling logistics from coordinating volunteers and venue arrangements to engaging with the press, where he positively highlighted the University on STV News to an audience of over 1.5 million. With Eden’s input, the event successfully captured invaluable WW2 stories and artefacts, significantly contributing to both historical preservation and educational resources. Eden’s exceptional organisational skills also extended to uploading data for the University of Oxford’s archive and creating an impactful open educational resource that invites reflection on social history.  
  • Mahima Aggarwal
  • Ella Joyce, Abagail Miskin, and Isabela Tapia Hernandez
  • Mbikwa Sitembo

Outstanding Student Experience Award 

Unitemps Team​ (Winner) The Unitemps team has transformed and enhanced every aspect of the student employment process with a student-centric approach. From conducting regular feedback surveys to diversifying job advertisement avenues such as Instagram, the team ensures wide-reaching and effective student engagement. 
  • André De Araujo Vieira​
  • Mahima Aggarwal​
  • Sheelalipi Sahana

Excellence in Customer Care Award

Lauren McKay​ (Winner) Lauren has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to excellence and sensitivity in customer service. Notably, Lauren is praised for her empathetic handling of sensitive enquiries and for making all visitors feel valued and respected, a crucial skill given the often delicate nature of the archive's materials. 
  • Janice Docking​
  • Tess Higgins​
  • Dawn Dodd and Catherine Hetherington

Outstanding Team 

EdHelp team (Winner) EdHelp is a dedicated team that has truly redefined student support services, transforming from a library-focused service to a comprehensive support node for all areas of the student experience. Their innovative approach ensures no student query goes unanswered as they handle everything from Library Services and Student Finance to IT Support and Student Administration. 
  • Lothian Health Service Archives
  • Service Support Team, IS Applications Service Management 

Lifetime Achievement 

Abdul Majothi (Winner)  We applaud Abdul Majothi for his tireless dedication over an impressive 41 years at the University of Edinburgh. Currently, the Head of the Relationship Management Team in ISG and also serving as a warden at Mylnes Court, Abdul’s unique dual roles have granted him deep insights into IT provision and student needs, making him a pivotal figure in both supporting and representing our university community. 
  • Mark Ritchie
  • Tony Weir
  • Gosia Such 
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  • People doing work on computers; working on AV for the event
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  • a member of catering staff smiling into the camera holding a tray of food
  • a wide shot of everyone in attendance sitting at tables looking to the front of the room

Thank you to the 2024 judges!

Thank you to those who volunteered their time to be judges, ensuring the process is by staff for staff.

  • Thalia Nikolaidou and Ashleigh Mazouji-Anderson - Colleague of the Year  
  • Dominique Green and Thomas Hawker- Excellence in Customer Care  
  • Goda Katkute and Lauren Johnston-Smith - Inspiring Role Model  
  • Katie Grieve - ISG in the Community  
  • Grace Worth and Claire Maguire - Team Player  
  • Paul Hutton and Joey Marks - Student Staff Member of the Year  
  • Katie Grieve and Angela Chitzanidi - Lifetime Achievement  
  • Angela Chitzanidi - Outstanding Student Experience  
  • Emma Diffley and Nadir Junco - Outstanding Team 

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