This news item is from the UCL Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment.
We are delighted to announce the winners of The Bartlett Early Career Researcher (ECR) and Mid-Career Researcher (MCR) Awards 2026.
The Bartlett ECR Awards celebrate the achievements of early career researchers across a range of areas, including research, teaching, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and community engagement. ECRs form a vital part of The Bartlett’s vibrant research community, driving innovation, collaboration, and impact within and beyond UCL.
Researchers were invited to self-nominate, and the review panel was hugely impressed by the quality and breadth of applications received from PhD researchers, postdoctoral researchers, research fellows and other early career colleagues.
The Bartlett MCR Awards recognise the significant contributions of mid-career researchers who help shape a positive, supportive and thriving research culture across the faculty.
Nominations were submitted by colleagues from across the Faculty, highlighting individuals who go above and beyond to support the research journeys of others.
Both award schemes were reviewed by panels comprising representatives from the Vice Dean for Research’s Office, the Bartlett Research & Impact Team, the Bartlett ECR Committee and members of the Bartlett Reviewer Panel Bank.
It has been a pleasure to be able to review and support the inauguration of the Bartlett Early-Career and Mid-Career Researcher awards. These awards have shown what a wonderfully vibrant community of outstanding scholars, committed teachers, engaged researchers we have across the faculty.
Mid-Career Researcher (MCR) Award Winners
Outstanding Line Manager Award
| Samuel Tang | The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources |
|---|---|
| Simon Addyman | The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction |
Mentorship Award
| Samuel Tang | The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources |
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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award
| Meredith Whitten | The Bartlett School of Planning |
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| Lakshmi Priya Rajendran | The Bartlett School of Architecture |
Community Award
| Ruth Unstead-Joss | The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources |
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Early Career Researcher (ECR) Award Winners
Research Excellence Award
Teaching Excellence Award
| Alexandr Kulakov | The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction |
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| Simon Väkevä-Baird | The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources |
Community Award
| Sibimol Luke | The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources |
|---|---|
| Jiayue Zhao | The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction |
Honourable mentions
| Diran Yu | Research Excellence | The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction |
|---|---|---|
| Sahar Nava | Research Excellence | The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources |
| Giovanni Tagliani | Teaching Excellence | Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose |
| Dilek Sabanci | Teaching Excellence | The Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources |
| Ziqi Lin | Equality, Diversity and Inclusion | The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction |
Reflecting on the awards process, members of the review panels said:
Judging these awards has shown me the amazing range of what Bartlett ECRs are contributing - not just in research, but in teaching and community building too. It's a reminder of how much breadth and originality we bring to the Faculty at this stage of our careers.
It was an honour to serve on the review panel for the Bartlett Mid-Career Researcher Awards 2026. The quality and depth of the nominations were exceptional, offering an inspiring insight into the achievements, leadership and impact that mid-career researchers bring to the Bartlett.
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