18 December 2023 Peer-judged staff excellence awards for 2023 announced

Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University has announced its most prestigious peer-judged staff awards for 2023; honouring members of the staff whānau who have most outstandingly championed the University’s values, delivered a world-class student experience and made the most positive impact on the wider community.

At the University’s end-of-year event on Wednesday 13 December, Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards presented three Staff Excellence Awards and one Critic and Conscience of Society Award, all judged by a panel of peers, as well as one Health and Safety Award.

Also presented were two Excellence in Education Awards, judged by a committee comprising current and former Lincoln University Council members and senior staff, a Lincoln University Students’ Association representative, a former winner of the award, plus one external appointee.

The annual Staff Excellence Awards recognise outstanding performance by individuals or teams who are nominated by their peers, managers, students or alumni as having demonstrated Lincoln University’s values, contributing to the University’s success and making it a great place to learn, discover and share. The winners receive a prize of $2500 plus an engraved trophy to keep.

Two individual Staff Excellence Awards were presented in 2023: to Desiree Davison from the Lincoln University Catering Department and Dr Megan Clayton, Director of Te Tuawhiti | Quality and Pathways.

Professor Grant Edwards presents Staff Excellence Award to Des Davison

A group of eight people who spearheaded the design of the laboratories in the new Waimarie building were presented with a Staff Excellence Award for their outstanding teamwork in facilitating the transition of staff, equipment and materials to the recently-constructed Waimarie Building.

The Critic and Conscience of Society Award recognises the activities of a member of the academic staff who has most notably contributed to Lincoln University’s role as a critic and conscience of society. Nominated by staff and students, the award is only presented when a nominee is considered by the judging panel to have provided the public or government with an exceptional level of independent, expert commentary on national or global issues that affect societies and future generations. The winner receives a prize of $2500 and a trophy to keep.

In 2023, the Critic and Conscience Award has been presented to Associate Professor Peter Almond.

The annual Excellence in Education Awards, nominated by Lincoln University teaching staff, recognise the ingenuity, innovation and commitment of the staff who make the most significant impact in a teaching capacity. The award points to their achievements in motivating and engaging with students in ways that make a sustained, substantial and positive influence on how students think, act and feel about themselves and their place in the world. Award recipients receive $1000 in prize money.

The Excellence in Education Awards were presented to Dr Dyanna Jolly and Dr Hafsa Ahmed.

The Health and Safety Award, recognising staff who have most proactively demonstrated their commitment to upholding and improving health and safety in the workplace, was presented to Stephen Stillwell of the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Desiree Davison (Des)

Desiree (Des) is a popular member of Lincoln University’s catering team, where she works predominantly at Grounded, the café in the student social hub. Her efficiency, friendly personality and amazing knack for making people feel welcome contribute hugely to the Grounded café’s special vibe.

Des’s talent for remembering her customers’ names, and often those of their families and pets, as well as their coffee orders, is matched by her enviable ability to greet students from many diverse cultures in their first language.

Des is known for her hard work and great service and for her genuine manaakitaka for all her customers.

Dr Megan Clayton

In her roles of Te Tuawhiti | Quality and Pathways Director and Convenor of the Academic Administration Committee, Megan is renowned for bringing her trademark thoughtful analysis, fairness, kindness and unswerving consistency to everything she does, whether dealing with complex academic issues or supporting students facing very difficult personal situations.

She is well known for her wisdom, and when approached for advice she always provides considered and constructive guidance.

Highly respected by students, staff and colleagues for her dedication, integrity and supportive approach, Megan is the embodiment of Lincoln University’s values.

Dr Megan Clayton

Waimarie Lab Design Group

This team won the Excellence Award for their mahi, leadership, collegiality and innovative approaches to the successful design and operating models for Waimarie’s research and teaching laboratories.

Team member Roger Creswell played a crucial role in the success of this project, and this recognition highlights his leadership, diligence, hard work and innovative approaches in the planning and design of Waimarie, as well as the decant from the Burns Building. His technical knowledge and interpersonal skills were particularly valuable to the overall success of the project.

Comprised of staff members from many diverse areas, the team leveraged their combined knowledge and skills over many years into a cooperative and cohesive unit that successfully engaged with colleagues and external partners to deliver the best possible outcome for all.

Their mahi contributed significantly to ensuring Waimarie’s research and teaching labs are an inspiring, safe and welcoming environment for staff and students.

Waimarie Lab Design Group

Associate Professor Peter Almond (Department of Soil and Physical Sciences)

Associate Professor Peter Almond has contributed significantly to Lincoln University’s reputation and upheld the obligations of a critic and conscience of society through his advocacy for sustainable land use via the protection of high-quality soils – one of Aotearoa’s most precious taonga; and under ever-increasing threat from erosion, pollution and incompatible land use.

Peter’s tireless championing for a secure future for the quality soils of Waitaha Canterbury includes working closely with national and local body government, environmental agencies and commissioners, other experts and community groups, and sometimes participation in legal action.

In 2023 he has provided expert opinion to media organisations seeking public commentary on the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on Te Tai Rāwhiti – including for TV3’s NewsHub, RNZ’s Nine-to-noon programme, the Dominion Post, Today FM, Farmers’ Weekly and the Science Media Centre.

Associate Professor Peter Almond

Dr Dyanna (Dy) Jolly

Dy was nominated for her Excellence in Education award by all of the students in her MAST206 course.

Known for living the values of whanaukataka and manaakitaka in her teaching, Dy reflects her own cultural context and values, as well as her almost 20 years of professional practice experience working for, and with, mana whenua. She focuses on connecting theory to practice in a way that provides learning opportunities that are inclusive, culturally responsive, and reflect Te Ao Māori.

She has done outstanding mahi incorporating Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations and Mātauraka Māori into her courses and has played a key role in Māori student retention.

Dr Dy Jolly

Dr Hafsa Ahmed

Hafsa places the holistic development of her students at the forefront of all her teaching, using a variety of techniques to assist her learners, including incorporating the UN SDGs into her course content and exposing students to real-life business case studies.

Renowned as an inspirational teacher, Hafsa nurtures curiosity among her students, aiming to develop individuals who will become socially and environmentally responsible business leaders.

Through her series of video case studies, and sharing her experience of incorporating the SDGs into business management studies across various national forums, she has broadened her business management students’ awareness of different sectors, including not-for-profit.

Dr Hafsa Ahmed

Stephen Stillwell – Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Stephen has worked hard for the last few years to develop an online Laboratory Safety Induction system which can be used to streamline the Health and Safety induction process. What began as a means to manage laboratory inductions for large classes of 180 Master’s students has developed into a system which is now in use faculty-wide for all teaching and research labs.

Stephen has worked closely with Faculty staff and with Learning, Teaching and Library to develop the information on LEARN with associated assessment modules to explain how the system works and to take on improvement suggestions.

Stephen Stillwell

The University received record nominations in this year’s Staff Excellence Awards, which Professor Grant Edwards said signalled the enthusiasm of the Lincoln University staff to call out and reward their colleagues for outstanding performance.

“It was pleasing to see so many of our staff whānau dedicating so much effort into submitting thoughtful and compelling nominations for the judging panels to consider. This mobilisation on behalf of their fellow team mates epitomises the Lincoln University culture of manaakitaka and whanaukataka, where we look after each other, and where our people are supported and inspired to thrive.

“The judging panels undertook an exhaustive and rigorous process to identify the award winners in each category, and they relished the opportunity to acknowledge and reward the deserving recipients.”

For media enquiries email media@lincoln.ac.nz or phone 03 325 3827