University of Portsmouth honours staff for community impact at annual excellence awards
Staff from the University of Portsmouth were celebrated for their contributions to the city and beyond at the Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Excellence 2026, held on campus earlier this month (2 July).
Now in its eighth year, the ceremony recognised outstanding achievement across 12 categories aligned to the University's strategy. Special guests included the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth, the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire, and Commodore Marcel Rosenberg, Naval Base Commander Portsmouth, underlining the University's close ties to the local community.
Among the winners was the Community Oral Health Research Team, based at the University's Dental Academy, who received the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Civic Impact and Community Engagement. Since 2022, the team has worked with Portsmouth City Council, NHS organisations, charities and community groups to improve access to dental care and reduce health inequalities among some of the city's most underserved residents, including people at risk of homelessness, migrants, refugees, children and older adults.
The General Legal Advice Clinic, run by the University's Law School, was recognised with the Award for Teaching Excellence. Running continuously since January 2013, final-year law students, guided by qualified solicitors, provide free and confidential legal advice to more than 250 members of the public, staff and students each year, covering housing, employment, family, consumer and contract law.
Also honoured was the Student Impact Awards 2026 Team, which won the Award for Outstanding Internal Collaboration for organising an event celebrating students' contribution to the city and region. This year's awards drew 341 student nominations, with trophies designed by one of the University's own Level 5 students.
Three further initiatives received commendations for their community work: the Sport & Recreation Learn to Swim Programmes, the Time for Dementia Programme, and the ICG Outreach and Public Engagement Team, all recognised for Outstanding Contribution to Civic Impact and Community Engagement.
University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Galbraith, said: "It's fantastic to be able to congratulate colleagues from across the University community for some amazing achievements, and provide them with some well-deserved recognition. I am always impressed by the amount of nominations we receive, the success stories we are sent, and the sheer hard work that members of the University community put in."
A Volunteering Roll of Honour was also displayed at the ceremony, celebrating the wider voluntary contributions made by University staff throughout the year.
Award Winners 2026
The General Legal Advice Clinic – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence
Annie Dorrington – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Internationalisation
The Student Casework Transformation Programme – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Professional Services Excellence
The Gravitational Wave Astronomy Research Group – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research and Innovation Excellence
School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences – Vice-Chancellor's Award for School or Department of the Year
Dr John Akerele – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Partnerships, Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
Dr Kate Whitman – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Green Impact
The Student Impact Awards 2026 Team – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Internal Collaboration
The Eldon 3D Workshop – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Technician of the Year
The Navigating Neurodiversity Group – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The Community Oral Health Research Team – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Civic Impact and Community Engagement
James Quinn – Vice-Chancellor's Award for Student Experience and Outcomes
Commendation Winners
Dr Samantha Penny – Teaching Excellence
Dr Tarek Teba – Internationalisation
The Student Services Team – Professional Services Excellence
Professor Jim Smith – Research and Innovation Excellence
The Portsmouth Military Education Team – Partnerships, Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
Kimberly Williams – Green Impact
The Facilities Management Team – Green Impact
The UoPen Network – Outstanding Internal Collaboration
The Environment & Life Sciences Team – Technician of the Year
Roger Tyrell – Outstanding Contribution to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The Sport & Recreation Learn to Swim Programmes – Outstanding Contribution to Civic Impact and Community Engagement
The Time for Dementia Programme – Outstanding Contribution to Civic Impact and Community Engagement
The ICG Outreach and Public Engagement Team – Outstanding Contribution to Civic Impact and Community Engagement
MyPort Student Centre – Student Experience and Outcomes
Amy Wright – Student Experience and Outcomes