Staff and students celebrated at the 2026 Faculty Partnership Awards
The Partnership Awards recognise staff and student successes across teaching and student education, research and innovation, equality and inclusion, wellbeing, and community engagement.
On 25 March 2026, colleagues and students from the Faculty of Social Sciences were celebrated at the 2026 Faculty Partnership Awards.
The awards, which are part of the Leeds Partnership Awards, allow the university’s students and colleagues to nominate their fellow staff and students for awards that recognise the hard work and dedication of the faculty’s staff and students.
This year, the faculty had over 500 nominations, with 30 accolades – both winners and highly commended in their categories – given at the ceremony.
The Overall Faculty Partnership Award was won by Dr Delyth Edwards, School of Education, who is a Lecturer in Inclusion, Childhood and Youth in the School of Education.
The Faculty’s Deputy Pro-Dean Student Education, Dr Steven Montagu-Cairns said;
The Faculty of Social Sciences Partnership Awards are a powerful reminder that our strongest achievements come through collaboration. They shine a well-deserved spotlight on the creativity, commitment and impact of both students and staff, celebrating the shared effort that makes our faculty such a vibrant and supportive academic community.
The full list of award categories, their winners and highly commended nominees are detailed below:
Student of the Year Award winner:
Ruby Evans, School of Education
Highly commended in the Student of the Year category:
Maria Francesca Cuevas Anderson, School of Law
Postgraduate Researcher of the Year Award winner:
Josh Salter, School of Sociology and Social Policy
Highly commended in the Postgraduate Researcher of the Year category:
Hannah Wainwright, School of Education
Academic Rep of the Year Award winner:
Shivi Mishra, School of Law
Highly commended in the Academic Rep of the Year category:
Muhammad Aliff Hakimi bin Mohd Nizam, School of Education
Student Leader of the Year Award winner:
Faria Fairooz, School of Politics and International Studies
Highly commended in the Student Leader of the Year category:
Misha Madinah Binti Salehuddin, School of Law
Academic Personal Tutor of the Year Award winner:
Dr Lou Harvey, School of Education
Highly commended in the Academic Personal Tutor of the Year category:
Dr Winnifred Bedigen, School of Politics and International Studies
Teacher of the Year Award winner:
Dr Delyth Edwards, School of Education
Highly commended in the Teacher of the Year category:
Dr Tim Heppell, School of Politics and International Studies
Student Education and Experience Award winner:
Katie Thorley, Student Futures
Highly commended in the Student Education and Experience category:
Dr Clare James, School of Law
Professional Services Staff Member or Team of the Year Award winner:
POLIS School Support Team, School of Politics and International Studies
Gaynor Butterwick, School of Education
Highly commended in the Professional Services Staff Member or Team of the Year category
SSP School Operations Team, School of Sociology and Social Policy
Beth Hastings-Hirst, School of Law
Student-Staff Partnership Award winner:
Open Access International Human Rights Law Textbook
Highly commended in the Student-Staff Partnership category:
Dr Peter Hart, School of Education
Community Impact and Innovation Award winner:
Yazan Abulouz, SEE Team – School of Law
Highly commended in the Community Impact and Innovation Award category:
Professor Cristina Stefan, School of Politics and International Studies
Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Practice Award winner:
Highly commended in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Practice category:
Lula Hoffman, School of Education
Mentorship Award winner:
Dr Carly O'Neill-Barrett, School of Sociology and Social Policy
Highly commended in the Mentorship category:
Dr Laurene Soubise, School of Law
Professor Lydia Bleasdale, School of Law
Wellbeing Award winner:
Nick Marsh, SEE Team - School of Politics and International Studies
Highly commended in the Wellbeing category:
Kris McLaughlin
