The UPSU SSTAR Awards have been organised by students with the support of the Students' Union to reward the many excellent university staff members and dedicated course reps we have here at the Plymouth University.

We want to hear why your lecturers are great and how they make your educational experience as a student an exceptional one. Or why you think your course rep has done a fantastic job this year in ensuring that the voice of students is heard by the university.

The awards will highlight what we as students consider to be excellent and inspirational teaching and support and fantastic representation. This really is your chance to give something back to those staff and students that go the extra mile for you and to celebrate those that make the subject or course that you study a special one. 

The Nominations are open from Monday the 4th February. They then run until the 1st March. We will then advertise the shortlisted nominees from 11th March. The awards night itself is the 21st March.

Outstanding Personal Tutor

Personal Tutors are a really important support role in a student’s time at university, helping you with advice and pastoral support about all areas of university life. If your personal tutor makes themselves easily available, maintains regular contact, and goes above and beyond your expectations to support you in your academic progression and wider university life then nominate them for this award.

Excellence in Championing Career Development

Some members of staff are excellent at helping students understand and identify the skills and subject knowledge required to make them more employable. Others may offer students development outside the parameters of the course description to transform students into the best possible graduates. If this sounds like a staff member you know then fill out a form to nominate them!

Most Innovative Use of Teaching Methods

This category recognises those lecturers that are not afraid to use new and innovative methods of teaching in order to engage students. The winner will have adopted different styles of teaching that support learning and are refreshing for students, for example through embracing e-learning tools or group work.

Inspirational Teaching

Do you know a lecturer who inspires enthusiasm and motivation in the students they teach? Someone who can create an exciting learning environment and engage people to get passionate about their subject and reach their potential? This award celebrates exactly that – lecturers who go above and beyond to get students excited about their work.

Most Dedicated Dissertation/ Project Supervisor 

Writing a dissertation or completing your final year project can be a long and stressful task. If your supervisor has gone above and beyond to provide support and advice to encourage you to create the best dissertation or project possible then this award is for them.

Outstanding Support Staff (Faculty and School Based)

Have you been supported by a team or individual based in your faculty or school that you could not have done without? This could be an admin assistant/team within your school, a lab assistant, or any other support provided by your course, school or faculty.    

Outstanding Support Staff (University wide)

This award recognises those staff who work centrally within the University to support students. These can be professional services staff such as cleaners and catering staff, or support staff such as the Careers Gateway or Disability Assist Service. If you have felt supported by a team or individual in one of these areas, then nominate them.

Best Placement Support

This award recognises staff who provide fantastic support for students whilst undertaking placements. These are staff members who recognise that placements are a very different but crucial part of many students’ experience and go out of their way to provide fantastic support to make it as enjoyable as possible.

Best Course Rep

Do you know a course rep who has made significant changes within your course or school? Have they gone out of their way to seek feedback from students and challenged staff members on key issues? Have they engaged with UPSU by receiving training or other opportunities? Course Reps who put their all into the role deserve recognition – so nominate them! (The winner of this award will also be entered into the National Union of Students awards for best Course Rep in the country).

Best School Rep

School Reps support Course Reps in getting the best out of their time in the role and work to improve things at a school and faculty level. This award will be picked by the course reps on the SSTAR project team with support from UPSU Officers and staff.

Best Feedback

Feedback is a crucial part of any piece of work, helping you to continuously improve while you’re at university. Do you have a lecturer or tutor who gives fantastic feedback? It could be what they say (is it really detailed and constructive?) or how they say it (video feedback, online, face to face etc). If you know someone like this, get nominating!