Meet our 2024 Postgrad Awards judges

Jack Powell is now progressing onto a PhD after having graduated from six PG Certs and an MSc (by Research), in which he completed three simultaneously. He has over 20 years’ experience in leadership roles, with his work having crossed over numerous industries. His self-directed projects often involved him starting and running businesses in unique settings, one being a project on his very own island (Sully Island, South Wales). Jack’s chronic health conditions mean that he takes very deliberative choices, but this had led him to travel across the globe, resulting in him living in 49 places over 20 years. He returned to academia in 2019, which led him to completing 7 Master Level qualifications, and several additional accreditations, including serval Counselling courses and a teaching award. He has now completed his Masters Thesis and is awaiting the results of a scholarship application, which will hopefully take him to back to Sydney, Australia to do his PhD candidacy, which while expand his project that focuses on improving the policy that controls what architecture is prescribed in Refugee Camps. After which, he hopes to become a University Lecturer in Disaster Risk Response.

Jack was extremely proud to be named the Master’s Student of the Year 2023, and even prouder to be asked to join this years Judging Panel.

1. Why are awards like these so important?
It is a great honour to have your work be recognised, especially by those outside of the course, as it often takes a great deal of hard work to make even the smallest positive changes within a University. This award is a great way to recognise the students that are focused on going above and beyond to help improve student’s lives, with this having great impact on the everyday lives of students even after they graduate. This award is an amazing opportunity for others to show how their Voice has meaning by celebrating another person’s journey, with it thanking them for their efforts. Most students are oblivious of the work that goes into helping improve their university experience, so this award helps show that one person can make ‘change’ happen. This award has helped me by giving the opportunity to show that others do recognise what positive impacts have occurred outside of class.

2. What are the main things you'll be looking out for in the entries?
Real-world impact, which has a legacy effect. I want to see testimonials that describe how the individual has made change, or at least tried to make something happen. Drive and motivation to make change has a powerful influence on others, and I want to see ‘why’ something was done rather than just ‘how’. I appreciate that a lot of people don’t often know how important their contributions have been, so I understand that even if there wasn’t any physical ‘change’, I want to see how the effort has changes the nominee’s life. I’ll be more drawn to stories that put actions into context and show how the effort or work has gone on to make positive changes for future students. I’m also keen to support those that have used resilience and determination too, as I too know how hard it is to overcome personal circumstances that delay someone’s ability to study..

3. What are you looking forward to most about being a judge?
It was really humbling to know that my efforts impacted the students around me, so I am really looking forward to participating as a Judge to that I can help show appreciation for those that have done some fantastic work by going beyond studying. I feel very proud to be chosen as a judge so that I can use my own experiences to help shine a spotlight on other people’s achievements and push to celebrate those that really deserve the recognition.

Jennifer Wilkinson is Director of Student Recruitment & Business Development at London Metropolitan University. Her expertise is in international Higher Education, primarily study abroad and partnership management, but she also manages domestic and international recruitment, widening access and outreach, enquiry and conversion marketing and collaborative partnerships, including their flagship work with Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She is also an Academic Associate at UCL, working in the Leadership and Learning area and tutoring on the MBA Educational Leadership (International).
Jenny has previously worked at institutions across London including King's College London, Queen Mary University of London and the University of Roehampton. She is a PhD Candidate at UCL, examining the intersection between climate action and internationalisation in higher education. She has previously served as a member leader of NAFSA's EAKC Health & Safety Subcommittee and The Forum on Education Abroad's Climate Justice and Education Abroad Working Group and currently sits on the ApplyBoard UK Partners Advisory Council

1. Why are awards like these so important?
There are incredible people making positive change in others’ lives every day and this is an amazing opportunity for some of those unsung heroes in the sector to be celebrated and thanked for their efforts. Whether they’re helping one person or a thousand, recognising positive impact is so important and these awards give that opportunity.

2. What are the main things you'll be looking out for in the entries?
Real life impact. Seeing others' testimonials on what individuals have done to make change happen is so powerful - especially when people often don’t know how important their contributions have been to others’ lives. I’ll be looking out for real life stories to put context around the work that’s going on.

3. What are you looking forward to most about being a judge?
There’s something incredibly humbling about reading stories of others’ impact in the world. I’m really looking forward to being a part of the journey in showing appreciation for some of the fantastic work going on in the sector and allowing those achievements to be celebrated.

Reena is currently a Student Recruitment and Access Officer at Keele University and completed her MA in Education and Social Justice at Lancaster University where she has researched the lack of ethnic minority students progressing into Postgraduate Research study. She has previously held posts at University of Gloucestershire, Edge Hill University, University of Leicester, and University of Reading, primarily focusing on Widening Participation. Within her roles, she is dedicated to helping students make informed choices about their educational journey drawing on her own experiences as a student who met multiple WP criteria. In addition to her roles in HE, Reena also volunteers with HELOA, and is Chair of the association. Within this role, Reena leads the UK Committee, develops the charity’s strategy in line with its mission to support students and its members and attends meetings across the HE sector as a representative of HE professionals in student facing roles such as Student Recruitment, Access, Widening Participation and Marketing

1. Why are awards like these so important?
Globally there is so much happening in the postgraduate community and these awards allow for a central place to celebrate the achievements in such vast areas of study. For me, postgraduate study can be delving into the fundamentals of problems that affect society and citizens, but it allows the opportunity for students to truly explore a topic that they are passionate and engaged by in ways which inspire them. Without awards like these, some of these achievements and projects may only be celebrated in their local sphere but now we can share the newest ideas and conversations in the postgraduate sphere and hopefully offer the opportunity for further engagement following the awards.

2. What are the main things you'll be looking out for in the entries?
I think I’ll be looking for the spirit of postgraduate learning which to me is delving further into a subject to truly understand some it’s complex questions and being interested in varied perspectives that can contribute to academic study. Whilst personally I’m really keen to hear about projects that aim to improve societal outcomes, I also think that I’ll be really inspired by those who go out of their way to further increase interest in postgraduate study, their subject and want to motivate prospective students.

3. What are you looking forward to most about being a judge?
I’m really excited to hear and read about some of the incredible projects and research being undertaken within the postgraduate community. As mentioned above, with so many studies worldwide it’s hard to keep abreast of them all, so I am honoured that I’ll be able to read entries and learn more about the innovative students and teachers across the world. I hope that I can take some of these real life examples to further inspire the young people I work with to aspire towards postgraduate study themselves in the future!

Trina started out in news at the Croydon Advertiser, she went on to work in media at The Guardian working with UKHE and international institutions on their content marketing, before moving on to Wonkhe. Now she works with universities to think like a journalist through workshops or by interviewing academics and students to translate complex subjects into stories that connect.

1. Why are awards like these so important?
They celebrate the creativity and the blood sweat and tears of hardworking students all over the world. That is amazing!!

2. What are the main things you'll be looking out for in the entries?
I love discovering surprising avenues that a student's studies might have taken them on, the support they require along the way and the impact of their work on others.

3. What are you looking forward to most about being a judge?
Reading the entries and discussing them together. You learn so much, so quickly about the exciting studies taking place in universities every single day. It's very inspiring.

Rob is is Managing Director of FindAUniversity. He has dedicated over 20 years of his career to the Further and Higher education sector, leading commercial teams and building market- leading Ed-Tech solutions.

1. Why are awards like these so important?
The Postgrad Awards play a crucial role in acknowledging individuals who surpass expectations within the sector. By honouring outstanding students, dedicated teachers, and exceptional supervisors, the awards not only celebrate excellence but also strive to ignite inspiration, encouraging others to strive for their personal best.

2. What are the main things you'll be looking out for in the entries?
I don't think a single factor distinguishes one entry from the others. Instead, I'll be seeking a blend of impact and evidence, with an entry that offers insight into the candidate's personality and motivations, allowing me to better understand their unique qualities.

3. What are you looking forward to most about being a judge?
Although this Is my first time judging the Postgrad Awards, I have followed the outcome of the awards for several years. I look forward to hearing more about some of the incredible research and people within the postgraduate community.