Policy, Enterprise, Engagement, or Translation impact

We define Impact as the quantifiable effect of research for the benefit of society and the environment, improving equity, prosperity, health, and wellbeing. Fundamental to delivering impact are the people who enable, support, and deliver research and translation; the strategic partnerships that enhance our capabilities; and the places where we work at home and abroad.

This award seeks to celebrate individuals or Teams whose research endeavours transcend academic boundaries, creating tangible, positive changes in society and the environment while exemplifying Imperial’s values in action. 

Excellence in Impact

What we're looking for

Excellence in research impact and innovation should be demonstrated through evidence of the following:

  • Innovative Approaches with Real-World Impact: Developing novel ideas, methods, or solutions that deliver tangible benefits for society and/or the environment.
  • Reach of Impact: Achieving demonstrable impact at local, national, and/or international level.
  • Contribution to Imperial: Enriching Imperial’s reputation, advancing its strategic priorities, and strengthening its research profile.
  • External Collaborations: Building sustained, meaningful collaborations with external organisations that advance shared research goals.
  • Influence on External Partners: Shaping the work, decisions, or practices of partners such as policymakers, civic bodies, industry, or third-sector organisations.
  • Ethical and Responsible Innovation: Embedding ethics, responsibility, diversity, inclusion, equity, and representation at the heart of their innovation activities.
  • Consistent Role Modelling of College Values: Demonstrating the College values  and behaviours in all aspects of their work.
Who can nominate
  • Nominations can be made by staff from all areas of the College
  • Self-nomination is not permitted for this category
Who is eligible to be nominated
  • Staff in any role across the College are eligible to be nominated (Can include teams).
  • Self-nomination is not permitted for this award category
  • Previous winners may not be re-nominated for the same category of award until at least three years have passed since their previous success (i.e. winners of 2022, 2023 and 2024 cannot be re-nominated for the same award in 2025). Find the full list of previous winners on the previous award winners webpage.
How to nominate

A single nomination form should be completed for each nominee. It is strongly recommended to notify the nominee of the intention to propose them for this award

To make a nomination please use the new online nomination system. 

Please view the User nomination guide to help you access the system and enter your nomination(s). Specific guidance for each award category can be found below.

If you have any issues please  contact Mr Alex Headley.

Nomination questions
Nomination overview Please summarise why you believe your nominee deserves recognition through this award. Details of activities linked to the nomination criteria can be included in following fields
Development of long-term collaborations Please provide examples of how the nominee has developed working relationships from preliminary exploration to long term collaborations, and the extent of impact of the nominee's research outputs within the collaborating organisation.
Innovative approaches Please provide evidence of the uniqueness of the nominee's research and how they have broken new frontiers, in and ethical and responsible manner
Impact at local/National/International level Please provide evidence as to the extent of economic and/or social impact of the nominee's research activity.
Fostering inclusivity Provide a statement on how the candidate has contributed to the fostering of an inclusive and diverse culture. Please also provide examples of how the nominee has contributed to the growth and wellbeing of individuals in their team and/or collaborators.
Further comments Please provide any further evidence of the nominee's excellence relating to the selection criteria that hasn't been captured above.
Statements of support Please include statements of support from individuals not involved in the nominee's line management and/or from independent third party external to Imperial emphasising how the nominee has impacted their field and have directly contributed to economic, social and people growth. Please upload a 2-page PDF with the details of the people providing the statements and the statements themselves.
How the nomination will be assessed

Award and Medal winners for each award category are conferred by selection panels overseen by the Vice-Provost (Research) in the summer term.

Each selection panel member is asked to score every nominee in the award category (with the exception of those with which there is a conflict of interest) and provide a score for each of the criteria presented below.

The scores are assigned only on the strength of the evidence presented in the application form in demonstrating that the nominee meets each of the award criteria. The panel are also asked to consider what makes the nominee stand out and what the impact has been of their actions/research.

Development of long-term collaborations Please score to what extent you believe the nomination has demonstrated the nominee's ability to develop working relationships from preliminary exploration to long term collaboration
Impact at Local/National/International level Score based on the extent of economic and/or social impact of the nominee's activity
Innovative approaches Please score to what extent you believe the nomination has demonstrated the uniqueness of the nominee's work and how they have broken new frontiers, in and ethical and responsible manner
Supporting statement Please rate the extent to which the two supporting statements convince you of the excellence of the candidate
Fostering inclusivity Score based on the extent to which the nominee has contributed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture
Tips for making a great nomination
  • Ensure a good case is presented for submission, as the selection panel will only draw on the evidence presented within the nomination.
  • The submission should be written for a non-expert audience and specific examples given where appropriate
  • Nominations without evidence for the relevant criteria will not be taken into consideration
  • Without detailed examples of their work, the selection panel can’t review how the nominee has gone above and beyond their normal remit
  • Showcase the real and tangible improvements and outcomes of the nominees’ work. What has changed as a result of their involvement/initiative?
  • Detail positive attitudes and behaviours they have exhibited that is in line with our College Values
How to Nominate