School of Social and Political Science

Content

The School of Social and Political Science's Professor Meryl Kenny is one of four University staff members this year to receive a Chancellor’s Award, which honour teaching and research excellence, and outstanding contribution.

The Chancellor’s Awards are one of the most important ways in which the University recognises current members of its community who have made outstanding contributions to teaching or research and achieved national and international recognition for their work, or who have made an outstanding contribution to the University's work in general. The University’s current Chancellor is Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, who has held the position since 2011.

Professor Shannon Vallor, Dr Katherine Atkins and Mr Nial Moffat were the other Chancellor’s Award winners. Professor Kenny and fellow winners were congratulated by the Chancellor and the Lord Provost, Councillor Robert Aldridge, at a gala dinner held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Established in 2003, the Chancellor’s Awards reward staff in four categories for teaching, research, outstanding contribution and showing great potential in early career teaching and/or research.

Teaching

Professor Meryl Kenny holds a Personal Chair of Gender and Politics and is based in the School of Social and Political Science. Meryl received the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching for her significant contribution to reshaping the University’s teaching through expanding inter- and multi-disciplinary education and her inclusion of students in the development and design of the curriculum.

Research excellence

Professor Shannon Vallor is the Baillie Gifford Professor of The Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence and is based in the Centre for Technomoral Futures in the Edinburgh Futures Institute. Shannon received her Chancellor’s Award for Research award in recognition of her research leadership and influence on policy in the field of Artificial Intelligence, which has greatly contributed to the Edinburgh Futures Institute reputation and the University’s impact worldwide.

Rising Star

Dr Katherine Atkins is a Reader at the Centre for Global Health in the Usher Institute. Katherine received the rising Star Chancellor’s Award in recognition of her internationally recognised advances in research in infectious disease modelling and her significant contribution to driving research-led education at the University.

Outstanding Contribution

Mr Nial Moffat, Head of Security and based in the Estates Department, received the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution in recognition of his leadership and diligent approach to keeping not only the 60,000 strong University of Edinburgh community safe on a daily basis and at controversial events, but also the wider City of Edinburgh community.

Congratulations to all the award winners!