Queens' in the Outstanding Student Contribution to Education Awards 2020

We are delighted to share the news of four Queens' students who have received University Outstanding Student Contribution to Education Awards.

They are:

• Abigail Smith (Geography), Winner, Inclusive Practice
• Akhila Kadgathur Jayaram (PhD candidate, Physics), Winner, Inclusive Practice
• Ellie Payne (Linguistics), Winner, Peer Support
• Sanjan Das (Engineering), Highly Commended, Innovative Practice

Abigail Smith

"Since arriving at Queens' Abi has stepped right into making the College and the University a better place for current and future students. She currently serves as the Queens' JCR Disability Officer... During College Open Days and Admissions interviews she has made herself front and centre, present in the Porter's Lodge as the first person future students and parents meet. At interview time, she is also the first person to guide students to and from their interviews. She has also served as the subject contact for Geography, to help newly arrived students become comfortable with College.

Abi's exceptional patience, kindness and dedication to improve the learning experience has both fostered and forced very clear changes within the University of Cambridge. Among other things, Abi has:

• Given many hours of her own time to sit with and educate academic and support staff to develop their understanding of issues related to accessibility and to the development of more inclusive pedagogy, including by creating more inclusive assessment methods;
• Constructively worked with the University's IT division and the University Library to help user-test systems and platforms for accessibility;
• Freely assisted the Disability Resource Centre in the development of materials and guidance;
• Promoted the interests of disabled students directly to University administration. This included taking time to meet with the Vice-Chancellor and Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) to describe why more inclusive policies and provision must be at the heart of the university experience, and for all students.

Abi's efforts have had tangible outcomes. The Department of Geography's online teaching platform was inaccessible, but no longer. iDiscover (the library search system) has 'missing' buttons everywhere but is now being redeveloped. After Abi's meeting with the VC and Senior PVC (Education), the University agreed to purchase universal conversion software (SensusAccess) and to work towards creating a centralised and permanent unit for converting and managing all related accessibility obstacles for current and future students. In doing so, Abi is at the forefront of eliminating untold barriers, permanently.

Akhila Kadgathur Jayaram

As a co-president of Cavendish Inspiring Womxn over the past two years, Akhila's ideas and vitality have helped the organisation to better support students and staff. Akhila was instrumental in leading a mentorship programme that has helped to support womxn in physics from undergraduates through to early-career researchers.

In 2019 Akhila led the organisation of a careers event, attended by ~70 womxn from physics, materials, chemistry and engineering. Representatives from eight Cambridge- and London-based companies spoke about their work. Akhila's organisation and work to find sponsors for the evening were vital to making this happen. [She also] led the organisation of a panel event for LGBTQ in STEM Day. With five panellists from different backgrounds and genders, this was one of the few events making a positive statement about the inclusion of LGBTQ+ scientists in the physics department.

In 2020, Akhila began to coordinate outreach efforts for CiW. Through this work, CiW has worked with two different widening participation efforts with colleges, and representatives of CiW have ventured to local schools to speak about their research and work.

Ellie Payne

Ellie Payne was nominated for her initiative and dedication in setting up systems of support for students engaging with the intermission process.

Navigating intermission (taking time out from a degree) can be really tricky at the best of times, and it was an issue we within the Disabled Students' Campaign were aware of but did not have adequate support for. Ellie has been running Intermission Socials for students thinking about, applying for or returning from intermission, as well as running an online group.

She has liaised with the Disabled Students' Campaign, creating permanent positions on the committee, to ensure that generations of students will continue to have direct support when dealing with intermission for any reason. The peer support given to students has ranged from practical advice to a listening ear and an opportunity to make friends in similar circumstances.

Sanjan Das

Sanjan is part of a group who received nominations pertaining to their work under the umbrella of the Cambridge MedTech Foundation.

Sanjan pioneered a programme called MEDx at the University of Cambridge, supported by the Cambridge MedTech Foundation. This programme educated students on medical technology, an underrepresented field in the University, via a series of free talks that involved speakers from different backgrounds, from entrepreneurs to clinician-researchers, giving students a wide perspective on what the medical technology field involves. To engage students while facilitating their learning, he incorporated student-led presentations where students are encouraged to step forward to share their innovative ideas, promoting collaboration.

Read more on the Cambridge Centre for Teaching & Learning website.