Early-career researchers (ECRs) are a valuable research community within the MAPS faculty. To recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions made by the ECRs in various areas, the MAPS ECR Forum is very pleased to announce the following five Awards. The prize for each award is a love2shop voucher worth £150.00. There will be one or two awards given in each category and if we do not receive suitable high-quality applications for a specific category, none will be given for that category.
We only accept self-nominations, but ask supervisors and line managers to encourage ECRs they would recommend to apply. We will also ask for the name and email address of your supervisor or line manager so that when you win, we will let them know as well. Applicants that did not win in previous years are welcome to reapply.
The categories for the awards are given below:
Research Excellence Award
Recognition for outstanding research while at UCL. Please provide evidence of how your research has contributed to your field of research or has made considerable positive impact on science, culture, society, or the wider world.
Teaching Excellence Award
Recognition for making outstanding contributions to the learning experience and success of UCL students. Examples include, but are not limited to, activities to support students learning, innovative teaching methods, positive feedback received from students, etc.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Award
Recognition for exceptional work or contributions that individuals or teams make to progressing equality, diversity or inclusion practice within UCL. You can demonstrate how you have embedded EDI in your research or in delivering your project, or more generally in promoting or actively involved in EDI in your immediate group, department or community.
Outreach and Communication Award
Recognition for extraordinary outreach work carried out by researchers who inform, enthuse, and engage the public with their UCL research. Please provide evidence of your exceptional communications skills and how you have gone beyond the publication of your research papers and used innovative ways to communicate your research to the public in both an understandable and engaging way.
Community Award
Recognition for colleagues who do amazing things beyond the boundaries of specific roles and/or beyond the boundaries of UCL. Examples include, but are not limited to, volunteering, champions, contributing to Community of Practices, etc.
Who is eligible to apply?
All current ECRs: PhDs, PDRAs and research fellows, etc. within 6 years of receiving their PhD award. Extensions to this 6-year time can be made for career breaks.
How will your application be assessed?
Your application will be reviewed by a panel that consists of 8 members of the MAPS ECR Forum, which is made up of early career researchers across MAPS faculty. Therefore, please explain your contribution to a general audience, being clear about the impact you have made.
What is the timeline?
3rd May: announcement of the Awards
14th June: deadline for applications
Mid July: outcome of applications and issue of Awards.
How do I claim the Awards?
The Awards are in the form of Love2Shop e-vouchers and will be issued by email to the winners.
How do I apply?
Please complete the Application Form by 14th June.
Who to contact?
Please contact Cindy Li at se.li@ucl.ac.uk if you have any queries.
Keep up to date:
Cause of Santorini earthquake swarm uncovered
A mysterious swarm of earthquakes that occurred near the Greek island of Santorini in early 2025 was caused by rebounding sheets of magma slicing through Earth’s crust, finds a new study.
20 Nov 2025
Centre for Data Intensive Science and Industry hosts 15 Industry and Research Partners
The DISI Centre welcomed partners and students to the Industry’s annual project pitch event, showcasing its world-leading ability to bridge fundamental science and industry for its PhD students.
06 Nov 2025
UCL scientists supporting NASA mission to find Earth-like worlds
UCL researchers are investigating how a UK-led team could design and build one of the core instruments on a flagship NASA mission, the Habitable Worlds Observatory.
30 Oct 2025
Follow us:
Two Bartlett Academics Honoured at the Architecture Book of the Year Awards
Prof Eva Branscome was the winner of the Building Monograph category, and Prof Bob Sheil and his fellow editors were commended for FABRICATE 2024.
12 Dec 2025
UCL STEaPP's Researcher and Doctoral Candidate at the APPAM 47th Annual Research Conference
Last month STEaPP's staff member Dr Remy Twiringiyimana and doctoral student Mr Kwabena Ampong participated in the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) Annual Conference.
12 Dec 2025
Prof. Özgür Yazaydın’s research featured in 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry report
We are delighted to share that research by Professor Özgür Yazaydın, from UCL Chemical Engineering, has been recognised in the Scientific Background to the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
10 Dec 2025