Colleagues and students recognised at President’s Distinguished Achievement Awards
26 Jun 2026
Winners from across the University were celebrated at a prestigious Award Ceremony in the Whitworth Hall
The President’s Distinguished Achievement Awards took place on Thursday, 25 June and recognised colleagues and students for their outstanding contributions from across the University.
President and Vice-Chancellor Duncan Ivison opened the ceremony in the prestigious Whitworth Hall. He was joined by Patrick Hackett, Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operative Officer, Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility, Professor Melissa Westwood, Associate Vice-President for Research, and Professor Jenn Hallam, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students.
The winners each received a medal that is engraved with a different face, depicting individuals with their own strong records of distinguished achievement.
Nominations for next year’s Distinguished Achievement Awards will open in the Autumn. Look out for further details on StaffNet and in local newsletters.
The 2026 winners
Professional Services and Cultural Institutions
Team Winners:
- Campus Life and Residences Halls Response: Directorate of Student Experience and Directorate of Estates and Facilities)
- Central Learning Environment (CLE): University-wide
Individual Award Winners:
- Darren Hobson, Campus Support and Security Supervisor (Estates and Facilities)
- Emma Lewis-Kalubowila (Access, Student Success and Development Officer, Directorate of Student Experience)
- Steven Maylott (Campus Support and Security Officer (Estates and Facilities)
Highly Commended – Team:
- Estates Partnering and EDI Team
- PS and Academic TLSE Delivery Partners, Faculty of Science and EngineeringHighly
Commended – Individual
- Dr Irene Baringa-Rementeria Ramierez, Head of Research Security and Compliance, C&R
- General Distinguished Achievement Award Emerita Professor Jackie Carter (former Professor in Statistical Literacy and Academic Lead for Disability, Faculty of Humanities/University-wide)
Researchers of the Year
- Professor Paul Wilson, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
- Professor Charlie Wang, School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Professor Pamela Qualter (school of Environment, Education and Development, Faculty of Humanities)
Postgraduate Research Students of the Year
- Alison Branitsky (School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health)
- Kailai Yang (School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering)
- Frederik Jones (School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Undergraduate Students of the Year
- Gracie Flether (School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health)
- Sarah Illingworth (School Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering)
- OIiver Kennett (Alliance Manchester Business School, Faculty of Humanities)
Teachers of the Year
- Dr Claire Mallon (School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health)
- Dr Wennie Subramonian (School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering)
- Dr Miriam Firth (School of Environment, Education and Development, Faculty of Humanities)