Business School Partnership Awards 2026
Has there been someone who has helped to make your experience at Leeds University special? Whether that someone is an exceptional tutor, a dedicated and helpful fellow student or anyone else - the Partnership Awards are your chance to make sure the whole Faculty knows just how great they are!
Spread some happiness!
Winning one of these prestigious awards celebrates the incredible achievements and contributions of our staff and students. Even a nomination can be deeply meaningful, recognising the impact someone has made and the difference they’ve brought to others on their University journey.
Go on - nominate someone and spread a little happiness!
Nominations closed at 23:45 on Thursday 19 February 2026.
Now a judging panel of LUBS senior staff and student leaders is meeting to select the winners from each category. All LUBS student and staff nominees will then be invited to a special evening celebration event on Wednesday 25 March 2026, where the winners are revealed and we celebrate with food and drink.
LUBS Winners are then submitted to LUU to be considered for the University Partnership Award finals!
PA26 - categories list
Click the accordion links below to read the full details of each award category:
Student of the Year
Who is eligible?
Any individual enrolled on a programme or course of study at the University of Leeds.
What are we looking for?
Someone who has made a significant and lasting impact on the learning culture, or personal or cohort learning or development within their subject, department, school, or faculty, significantly enhancing the overall experience for those undertaking study at the University of Leeds.
Postgraduate Researcher of the Year
Who is eligible?
Any individual enrolled on a postgraduate research degree at the University of Leeds.
What are we looking for?
Someone who has made a significant and lasting impact on the learning culture, or personal or cohort learning or development within their subject, department, school, or faculty, significantly enhancing the overall experience for those undertaking study at the University of Leeds.
Apprentice of the Year
Who is eligible?
Any individual enrolled on an apprenticeship programme at the University of Leeds.
What are we looking for?
Someone who has made a significant and lasting impact on the learning culture, or personal or cohort learning or development within their subject, department, school, or faculty, significantly enhancing the overall experience for those undertaking study at the University of Leeds.
Academic Rep of the Year
Who is eligible?
Any individual or group serving as a Course Rep, School Rep, Faculty Officer, or PGR Rep at the University of Leeds.
What are we looking for?
Those who have consistently engaged with their peers and various University staff and structures in their faculty to drive positive change and effectively represented the views of those they represent, leading to an improved learning experience at the University of Leeds.
Student Leader of the Year
Who is eligible?
Any individual or group who is enrolled on a programme or course of study at the University of Leeds and undertakes a leader role within the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union (e.g., society committee, liberation rep, activities exec).
What are we looking for?
Those who have made a consistent and significant contribution to enhancing and developing their group or initiative that improves the experience for those undertaking study at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union.
LITE Student Scholar Award
Who is eligible?
Any individual or group who is enrolled on a programme or course of study at the University of Leeds and has supported pedagogical research at the university.
What are we looking for?
Those who have made a meaningful impact on education and the student experience at Leeds through pedagogical research. This award is for individuals whose work demonstrates positive change and strong collaboration with staff, fellow students, and other partners in line with Leeds Partnership Values.
The award celebrates creativity, consideration of diverse student needs, and contributions that create lasting benefits across the University community.
Academic Personal Tutor or Supervisor of the Year
Who is eligible?
Any member of staff or individual with Academic Personal Tutor or Dissertation/Thesis Supervisor responsibilities.
What are we looking for?
Individuals who have significantly impacted their tutees, contributing to their success and improving their experience at the University of Leeds.
Teacher of the Year
Who is eligible?
Any member of staff or individual with teaching responsibilities.
What are we looking for?
Those who have consistently shown innovative teaching methods that enhance education, boost engagement, or significantly improve the learning and experience of those they teach at the University of Leeds.
Technical Staff Member or Team of the Year
Who is eligible?
Any member of staff or team who supports teaching and learning by using subject area technical skills (e.g., lab technicians, workshop technicians, post-docs).
What are we looking for?
Those who have delivered or designed innovative ways to enhance teaching, learning, and engagement using their specific subject area skills, knowledge, and expertise.
This could include lab management, contributions to research that advance subject area teaching, or project support and development for those undertaking study.
Student Education and Experience Award
Who is eligible?
ny member of staff or team at the University of Leeds or LUU who supports the education or experience of those undertaking study by offering direct support.
What are we looking for?
Those who have contributed significantly to supporting individuals undertaking study at the University of Leeds and made a significant impact on their experience or journey
Professional Services Staff Member or Team of the Year
Who is eligible?
Any member of staff or team who works in a non-teaching role at LUU or the University of Leeds.
What are we looking for?
Those who have shown consistent commitment to improving working culture, team performance, or improving and supporting the experience of those undertaking study at the University of Leeds.
Student-Staff Partnership of the Year
Who is eligible?
Any group composed of individuals enrolled on a programme or course of study or Leeds University Union staff or teams, and University of Leeds staff or teams.
What are we looking for?
Partnerships that have worked together to deliver or enhance the experience or education for those undertaking study at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union.
Community Impact and Innovation Award
Who is eligible?
Any individual enrolled on a programme or a course of study, or a member of staff or team at the University of Leeds or LUU.
What are we looking for?
Those who have contributed to research or work that has innovated or had a significant impact on culture, representation, practice or understanding within a departmental, local, regional, national, or global community either within the University of Leeds, Leeds University Union, or beyond.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Practice Award
Who is eligible?
Any individual or team who is enrolled on a programme or course of study, or a member of staff or team at the University of Leeds or LUU.
What are we looking for?
Those who have contributed to work that has made a significant impact to advance or support Equality, Diversity, or Inclusive practice at the University of Leeds or LUU.
Mentorship Award
Who is eligible?
Any individual or team who is enrolled on a programme or course of study, or a member of staff or team at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union.
What are we looking for?
Those who have provided mentorship to another person at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union and made a significant impact on their mentee’s learning, professional development, or experience.
Wellbeing Award
Who is eligible?
Any individual or group who is enrolled on a programme or course of study at the University of Leeds, or any members of staff or teams at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union.
What are we looking for?
Those who have displayed an exceptional commitment to providing wellbeing support to a person or a group or has contributed significantly to improving or delivering wellbeing practice at the University of Leeds or Leeds University Union.
The Overall Partnership Award
Who is eligible?
You cannot vote for this category - A winner of one of this year’s 8 local Partnership Awards ceremonies, recommended by their local Partnership Awards committee, will be chosen by the judges.
What are we looking for?
This award recognises the standout winner from the previous 15 awards in this year’s local Partnership Awards ceremony.
How to write a good nomination
It will make someone's day for them to be notified they were nominated... but if you want them to have a chance at winning, then quality matters! You don't need to write a long novel, just follow these four simple steps and the judges will be eating out of your hand:
- Explain the Change: Tell us exactly what is better now because of the person you are nominating.
- Show Who it Helped: Mention if they helped one person, a whole class, or the entire University.
- Match the Award: Make sure your story fits the specific award category you chose.
- Give a Real Example: Instead of saying "they are helpful," describe one specific time they truly made a difference.
LUBS Partnership Awards Gallery
Some of the fun we've had at Awards ceremonies over the past couple of years - so many smiley happy faces. Let's make some more this year!
Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well