The eighth annual NEON Awards – winners announced
The 2021 National Education Opportunities Network (NEON) Awards were presented online on Thursday 10th June. The NEON Awards provide a platform to celebrate the successes and accomplishments of NEON’s members and their learners in widening access to higher education and enabling social mobility.
COVID-19 has had a huge impact upon widening access to higher education (HE). It has forced the widening access community to reflect upon how we engage with learners and develop new ways of delivery. Therefore, this year, it is more important than ever to not only celebrate the success of this work and the transformative power that higher education can have on the lives of learners, but to consider how we continue to push our work forward to ensure success learners are able to both enter, and succeed within, HE.
Director of NEON, Professor Graeme Atherton, states:
‘With over 100 nominations, shortlisting was a difficult process and it has highlighted the outstanding work that is being carried out by both institutions and individuals across the UK.’
NEON was founded in 2012 as the professional organisation to support those involved in promoting social mobility through widening access to higher education. NEON brings together Higher Education Institutions, schools, colleges, the voluntary sector, professional bodies and employers. Over 90 higher education providers from across England and Wales are members of NEON and they teach over 70% of England’s undergraduate students.
Please see below for the winners and commendations from the 2021 NEON Awards.
NEON Widening Access Initiative (Outreach) Award
IntoUniversity – Commendation
Mini Medics, University of Sunderland – Commendation
Orbyts, University College London – Winner
NEON Widening Access Initiative (Retention and Success) Award
Funded Internship Scheme, University of East London – Commendation
HE Creative Arts Media Make-Up Industry Collaboration, University Centre Leeds (Leeds City College – Commendation
First Generation Scholarship Programme, Manchester Metropolitan University – Winner
Widening Access Partnership Award
Oldham Parent Power Project, Greater Manchester Higher – Commendation
University of Leeds and IntoUniversity partnership – Commendation
Urban Scholars Programme Partnership, Brunel University London & Moody’s – Winner
NEON Access School or College Award
Barnsley College – Commendation
Kings College, Guildford – Commendation
The Sheffield College – Winner
NEON Student of the Year Award
Christopher Cooper, University of York – Commendation
Shuab Gamote, Manchester Metropolitan University – Commendation
Yasmin Haque, University of East London – Winner
NEON Contribution to Widening Access Award
Abigail Harrison Moore, University of Leeds – Commendation
Wendy Price, University of Sunderland – Commendation
Hollie Baker, University of Surrey – Winner
NEON Higher Education Institution of the Year Award
University Centre Leeds – Commendation
University of Southampton – Commendation
Lancaster University – Winner
There was also a one-off award for Lifetime Achievement, this award was given to Emily Hughes to recognising her contribution to widening access and the lasting legacy at Kingston University. Emily passed away at the end of April 2021 at the age of thirty-five following a long battle with cancer. To find out more about Emily, please click here.
Please click here to read the all nominees projects.
To view the recording of the ceremony, please click on the video below.
End
NOTES
- NEON has almost 150 organisational members including nearly 90 higher education institutions HEIs – educationopportunities.co.uk
- For further information on the NEON Awards please contact Maria Anna Petrou at maria-anna.petrou@londonhigher.ac.uk or go to: https://www.educationopportunities.co.uk/neon-events/neon-awards