MPLS Professional Services Excellence Award

Awards will be presented at an MPLS event (details to be confirmed). A payment of £1,000 (subject to tax) will be awarded to each of the three strongest applications.

Eligibility

The awards are open to all Professional and Support Staff (PSS) in the MPLS Division.

Nominations relating specifically to IT and AV, Estates, Facilities and Safety, and Laboratories and Workshops should be submitted to the relevant award category.

Staff must be employed within an MPLS department to be eligible.

Nominations

Nominations are invited from heads of department, academics and professional services staff.

Nominators should have direct knowledge of the nominee’s contribution relevant to the award criteria. Self-nominations are also welcome. Individuals may apply directly or be nominated by one or more colleagues.

How to apply

The application process is intended to be light touch.

Applications must be submitted via the online form by Wednesday 17 June 2026.

Applications should include a clear, evidence-based account of:

• the activity or work undertaken
• the contribution of the individual or team
• how the work meets at least two of the criteria

For queries, please contact: Mary.Fridlington@mpls.ox.ac.uk

Criteria

Successful applications should provide evidence against at least two of the following criteria:

1. Strategic and effective planning

• Clear objectives aligned with departmental or divisional priorities
• Proportionate, well-structured planning, including appropriate use of data or insight
• Consideration of risks, dependencies and resource constraints, with mitigating actions in place

2. High-quality delivery

• Delivery to a consistently high standard, meeting agreed objectives and timelines
• Effective management of complexity, competing priorities or changing circumstances
• Evidence of reliability, responsiveness and sound operational judgement

3. Demonstrable impact

• Clear, evidenced impact on outcomes (e.g. service quality, efficiency, user experience, or support for research and teaching)
• Contribution to improved ways of working, reduced risk or increased resilience
• Benefits realised at team, departmental or divisional level

4. Collaboration and stakeholder engagement

• Effective partnership working with academic colleagues, professional services and/or external stakeholders
• Ability to work across departments within a devolved environment
• Positive stakeholder feedback where appropriate

5. Continuous improvement and sustainability

• Identification and implementation of service or process improvements
• Impact sustained beyond initial delivery
• Potential for wider application or adoption

Assessment process

Applications will be reviewed by a judging panel (chaired by Tracy Gale (Divisional Registrar) against the published criteria. The three strongest applications will receive an award.

Privacy notice

Your personal data will be processed in line with the MPLS privacy notice. Data is collected and used solely for the purpose of administering the awards, based on your consent when submitting an application.

You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting Mary.Fridlington@mpls.ox.ac.uk. This will not affect processing already carried out prior to withdrawal.

Contact

For enquiries, please contact: Mary.Fridlington@mpls.ox.ac.uk