MPLS ED&I Awards 2026 - call for nominations
We are thrilled to announce that the MPLS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Awards are now open for nominations! These awards recognise staff and students in MPLS who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to advance ED&I within our communities, accomplishing amazing things to improve our work and study environments.
This is an important way to showcase the incredible work that MPLS colleagues and students undertake, which may otherwise go unnoticed. At the same time, the awards aim to foster and raise awareness of impactful and innovative activities in all areas of equality, diversity and inclusion (including disability, neurodivergence, LGBTQ+, race/ethnicity, gender, mental health and wellbeing, and more).
The MPLS ED&I Awards have the following three categories (details below):
- Outstanding ED&I Champion – Academics and Researchers
- Outstanding ED&I Champion – Professional Services and Technical Staff
- Outstanding ED&I Champion – Students (this includes undergraduates and postgraduates)
Award recipients will receive £1,000 (which will be subject to tax) and will be invited to the MPLS Annual Reception (date to be confirmed) and will be celebrated through upcoming communications and a divisional ED&I summer event (date to be confirmed).
Nominations procedure
Please complete this Microsoft Form by 4pm on Wednesday 17 June 2026.
If for any reason you are unable to use the Form or need support to complete it, please contact us directly on diversity@mpls.ox.ac.uk where we will be able to help. Self-nominations are also accepted.
Heads of Department and Heads of Finance and Administration may be invited to comment on and/or endorse all applications from their department before the selection panel make a decision.
You can see previous winners here. If you have any comments or questions, please get in touch via: diversity@mpls.ox.ac.uk.
Award categories
CATEGORY 1: Outstanding ED&I Champion - AcademicS and Researchers
An award made to an academic or researcher who has shown outstanding dedication, sustained commitment, and effective leadership or impact in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion. Nominations could include leading on successful activities or initiatives, engaging in effective collaboration with colleagues, or leading by example.
Category 2: Outstanding ED&I Champion – Professional Services and Technical Staff
An award made to a staff member who has shown outstanding dedication, sustained commitment, and effective leadership or impact in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion. Nominations could include leading on successful activities or initiatives, engaging in effective collaboration with colleagues, or leading by example.
Category 3: Outstanding ED&I Champion – Students (this includes undergraduates and postgraduates)
An award made to an undergraduate or postgraduate student who has shown outstanding dedication, sustained commitment, and effective leadership or impact in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion. Nominations could include leading on successful activities or initiatives, engaging in effective collaboration with staff or students, or leading by example.
Use this Microsoft Form to make a nomination.