PGR award nominees

PGR student nominees:

Lily Owens-Atkins, School of Health and Social Care - "Lily has worked tirelessly to make a meaningful and positive difference to PGRs at Swansea by improving research culture, community, and the overall experience of PGRs at the university, particularly the experiences of ethnically minoritised postgraduate researchers with varied experiences of belonging via a focus on mentoring as an empowering community practice... She is in the process of implementing a mentoring residential programme for ethnically minoritised researchers at Swansea University (& beyond in Wales), having been awarded (as principal investigator) a Wales-specific grant for this programme."

Joseph Udeh, School of Management - "Joseph has actively fostered collaboration by participating in regular PGR-led workshops and informal peer sessions, creating safe spaces where students can share research challenges, exchange feedback, and build interdisciplinary connections... He has also championed inclusivity by ensuring events are accessible, welcoming international students and part-time researchers, and encouraging participation from those who may feel underrepresented. His proactive communication and open-door approach have helped new PGRs transition more confidently into doctoral study. His efforts are sustainable and community-focused, with structures now in place that will continue benefiting PGRs long-term."

Wyl Jones, Media - "Since starting his PhD, Wyl has proactively supported community building by introducing himself to fellow PGRs, creating group chats on social media, and organising informal gatherings that help reduce isolation and foster peer-to-peer connection.  Wyl also played a key role in the 4th Annual Media PGR Symposium (2024)... in 2025, Wyl sustained this impact by advising new organisers and sharing materials from the previous year to ensure continuity and long-term value.  Beyond events, Wyl has actively enabled a collaborative research culture by assisting three PhD peers with intercoder reliability testing, strengthening methodological rigour through mutual support. He has also contributed to staff–PGR collaborative research projects, demonstrating inclusive, collegial ways for PGRs to work with staff and with each other in pursuit of shared research goals."

Anna Voytyukova, Materials Science and Engineering - "She devotes genuine energy to improving the postgraduate experience for others. Through her engagement in CDT Student-Staff meetings, as an FSE PGR Representative, and member of the Health, Safety, Resilience and Sustainability Committee, she consistently champions positive change.  Her dedication and passion shines through in everything she does and she is truly inspiring. After winning the Swansea Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition in 2025 she went onto become a semi-finalist, reflecting her excellent communication skills."

Freya Hamblin, Materials Science and Engineering - "Freya is not only exceptionally supportive but genuinely one of the kindest people to work with.  She consistently goes out of her way to help both her peers and staff, creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, valued and encouraged.  As an active member of the CDT Committees - contributing to and minuting the Student Staff meetings since 2023 and engaging positively with our industrial collaborators through the Steering Committee she plays a meaningful role in enhancing the student experience.  She also readily embraces new opportunities. Last year she completed a three-month UKRI Policy Internship, and inspired others to follow in her path. Her positivity and willingness to support those around her make her a wonderful member of our research community."

Staff nominees:

Jordanna Pearce, Marketing, Recruitment and International - "Jordanna is an outstanding colleague whose dedication, professionalism, and commitment to service excellence make a meaningful impact across the applicant journey and the wider team. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure applicants receive their offer decisions promptly, often working to extremely tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy and care... She welcomes feedback with a genuine commitment to continuous improvement and actively seeks opportunities to strengthen the function... Jordanna’s impact is felt not only in the outcomes she delivers but also in the supportive and solution focused way she works with others."

Maria Davis, PGR Service - "Maria has been at the university for a substantial number of years. She has always provided effective and empathetic support to myself as a PhD student, and to my students. Maria is honest, approachable and highly professional... An award such as this is very well deserved and would show Maria some recognition for her sterling approach to PGR students and supervisors and to the wider research culture." 

Eleanor Parker, Caroline Summers, Jimmy Ward, FHSS Facilities Team - "The Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences facilities team have been brilliant and supportive when relocating the Orangery PGR Research Suite on Singleton Campus. The team were on hand to reassure us about the moving process, answer any questions we had and remained professional when dealing with complaints. The phased approach of moving equipment over to the new office gradually was expertly managed so that we still had a space to work from. They effectively dealt with card access issues and even provided tours of the new facilities available to us during the transition process. The team’s hard work of managing campus spaces is vital to the operation of the university as a whole and that deserves to be recognised! They are always friendly, approachable and go the extra mile to help PGR students." 

Lucie Murphy, Biosciences - ..."outstanding commitment to public engagement through her creation and leadership of the Baffling Biology podcast (https://bafflingbiologypodcast.weebly.com/ ) ... a platform for accessible, engaging conversations about biological research at Swansea University. Through interviewing Swansea students, staff, and invited seminar speakers, she has created an inclusive space that showcases the breadth and excitement of Biosciences research beyond the academic community. Importantly, Lucie is involved in every stage of the project: she develops episode ideas, contacts and hosts guests, records interviews, edits the audio, and promotes the podcast. This sustained effort demonstrates both initiative and enthusiasm for sharing research in a format that is approachable for wider audiences.  The podcast not only highlights cutting-edge science but also helps connect the public to the people behind the research, celebrating the diversity of topics and researchers within the Swansea Biosciences community."

Bethan Miles, Engineering - ..."consistently sharing the value and real-world impact of engineering research with diverse audiences. One example, she arranged and delivered a full day of tailored lessons for students of different ages, introducing core concepts in Materials Science through interactive, hands-on activities. Beth prepared all the equipment and samples herself and guided students in building their own working solar cells, translating complex research into an accessible and inspiring experience. She has also contributed to the development of 3D-printed mechanical assemblies and guided students in metallic etching and the visualisation of microstructures using optical microscopes. Demonstrating initiative, Beth successfully applied for and secured an outreach grant to support these workshops, enabling her to develop an outreach activity into an engaging stall format for the Swansea and Bridgend Science Festivals, thereby extending its reach and impact. Beth’s creativity, organisation, and enthusiasm provide a deeper understanding of research beyond the academic community and inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists."

Josie Dunn, Pharmacy - "I have actively ensured that my work on emerging drugs of misuse delivers measurable impact beyond academia, directly informing public health and policy.  I have published three peer-reviewed papers on the misuse of xylazine, a veterinary sedative increasingly identified in illicit drug markets and associated with severe harms. My research provided early evidence on patterns of misuse, toxicological risk, and public health implications at a critical time. This growing evidence base contributed to increased regulatory attention and supported discussions that led to the scheduling of xylazine in response to escalating harm. This represents a clear example of research influencing drug policy and protecting vulnerable populations.  I am currently leading a project using the NPS.Finder database to identify emerging novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in real time. By translating complex pharmacological data into accessible outputs for harm reduction services, treatment providers, and policymakers, my work supports earlier intervention and informed decision-making in response to the rapidly evolving NPS landscape.  In addition, I collaborate with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), contributing emerging substance data to international monitoring efforts and early warning systems, ensuring research evidence informs global drug policy and public health responses."

Mamta Behera, Psychology - ..."sustained public engagement on “stealthing”, an emerging and under-researched issue involving the non-consensual removal of a condom during sex. ... Mamta has prioritised engagement that builds public understanding beyond academic spaces. [...] On LinkedIn, where she has over 10,000 followers, she regularly uses interactive polls and discussion posts to encourage dialogue on consent, boundaries, and sexual decision-making. She also creates short, creative TikTok videos that communicate research-informed messages in an accessible and age-appropriate way, particularly for younger audiences. In addition, Mamta has written public-facing blogs for the London School of Economics Women, Peace and Security platform, designed for non-academic readers, and engages with professional networks such as BASHH, BHIVA, and the UK Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Network. Alongside this, she contributes to community and student engagement through leadership roles as a student trustee of DiscoverySVS, co-chair of Fast Track Swansea Bay, and student trustee of the Students’ Union, supporting awareness and dialogue on consent and sexual wellbeing."

Megan Morecroft, Healthcare Science - "Megan has demonstrated an exceptional ability to engage members of the public with her research on new ultrasound technology to improve newborn screening for heart defects – research which has included a fieldtrip to Mongolia. Her passion to address this global challenge, coupled with her ability to make complex information accessible, results in superb talks for the public.  I first witnessed Megan’s skills in this area at a public engagement event for older adults. She delivered an outstanding ‘lightning talk’, and her poster was ideal for the audience, capturing the interest of many. There was a real energy around her poster and lots of people felt able to chat with her; she received the public prize for best poster stand. Megan has also demonstrated skill in communicating her research to children. In Oriel Science she delivered interactive sessions called “Tiny Hearts, Big Journeys” which was perfectly pitched for the young children and parents. She shared exciting information about the heart, how we check it, and the health challenge the new technology addresses. A particular highlight for the audience came when she tasked children to become researchers, generating questions of the new technology that should be tested in research."

Alex Caswell, Biomedical Sciences -  ..."developed a short, free, educational game (https://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/1013876) to illustrate the topic of my doctoral research via mini-games and interactive characters... believe strongly in the mission of communicating seemingly complex topics (i.e., microbial molecular ecology) through casual and non-intimidating means, such as through the use of artistic and narrative media."

Emily Adams, History - ..."exceptional and enduring commitment to community-engaged research that brings her research into dialogue with the public. As part of the AHRC Impact Accelerator Account–funded Steeltown Storybook: Children’s Chapter, Emily worked with Dr Michaela James and Jack Palmer to engage over 200 primary school children in Port Talbot in exploring their town’s past, present, and future. Through creative methods including painting, clay modelling, primary source analysis, podcasting, and PhotoVoice, children examined topics from postwar Welsh social history to their aspirations for the next twenty years. At the heart of the project were oral history interviews conducted by Emily as part of her PhD research. Interviewing people who left school in Neath Port Talbot between 1945 and 1979, she documented memories of a community shaped by steelmaking, where “everybody worked in the steelworks in some capacity.” By integrating this research into a live community project, Emily connected intergenerational experiences of industrial change with young people’s perspectives today, inspiring young people and creating a legacy of murals around PT among other lasting outputs. Emily demonstrates how doctoral research can meaningfully engage communities and amplify young voices."

Diana Eseka, Media and Communication - "I was an Event Lead for the Festival of Social Science and organised She Can Lead, hosted in Swansea and funded by the UKRI/ESRC. The event brought together women from Swansea and surrounding communities for a digital branding workshop. It was inspired by my research on media influence, women’s leadership acceptability, and political underrepresentation. I delivered a presentation on how media representation affects women’s reputations and leadership acceptability and taught attendees practical digital branding skills to enhance professional visibility and challenge societal narratives that subjugate women. As Event Lead, I coordinated the planning and delivery of the event. I also conducted in-person outreach to maximise participation, branded and designed all promotional materials for the event. The programme was endorsed by Professor Sian Rees, Deputy Executive Dean of the FHSS, who led a masterclass on personal branding and navigating senior leadership, and Swansea councillor Patience Bentu, who shared insights on political influence. I also anchored a session with Lois and Melody, who provided practical guidance on leveraging digital platforms. The festival was a success as attendees gained digital skills and were empowered to act as co-educators for societal change, reinforcing Swansea University’s commitment to DEI, SDG 5, CSR, and innovative research."

Hayley Morgan, Sociology - ..."improving public awareness of autistic rights in childbirth... [has] been quoted by a document to the UN, written a book, appeared in podcasts and co-founded the Maternity and Autism Research Group. Recently a literature review showed that 70% of UK papers on this topic was written by members of the research group I founded. When I first researched autism and birth in 2017 results were mainly risks and zebra fish. Now, MARG and I are working internationally and advising NICE guidelines." 

Sara Correia Hopkins, Law - "I am nominating Sara for the PGR Support Award because her support has consistently gone far beyond what is expected within the remit of PhD supervision. From the moment I accepted my place on the course and had to relocate to Wales, Sara offered practical support that extended well beyond academic guidance. She helped me navigate the upheaval of moving, settle into a new place, and feel confident that I could manage such a significant life change alongside beginning my doctoral studies.  Academically, Sara continually encourages me to step outside my comfort zone in ways that have been transformative. She has pushed me to present at conferences—something I never imagined I would feel confident enough to do. Through her encouragement, preparation support, and belief in my abilities, I have developed professional confidence that has significantly enhanced both my research journey and career development.  Sara is also incredibly supportive in helping me maintain healthy boundaries with my work, which is closely connected to my PhD topic and can sometimes blur into overcommitment. She provides balanced, honest guidance that keeps me grounded while still challenging me to grow. Her care, commitment, and holistic support make her truly deserving of this award."

Victoria Jenkins, Law - "Victoria is a wonderful candidate for this award, as she truly embodies what a great supervisor should be. From the beginning, she has been incredibly considerate and empathetic in her approach, demonstrating a deep understanding of how individual circumstances can affect people, including an awareness of power dynamics and the fact that academic hierarchies can feel intimidating, particularly at the start of a supervisory relationship. This was especially comforting in the very early days when imposter syndrome is ripe.  She is exceptionally intelligent, but never intimidating; She encourages discussion and questions, creating a supportive environment where you can relax, laugh, and feel comfortable engaging openly. From our first interaction, she immediately put me at ease, and I felt confident that I had made an excellent choice. Victoria is an excellent communicator and is always responsive to emails, readily answering any questions or queries. She is also highly proactive in organising meetings and consistently provides clear follow-up points and actions. In addition, she regularly shares relevant information from her own research and professional networks, encourages me to attend events, explore new literature, and continuously develop my research. I genuinely could not imagine a more deserving candidate for the recognition this award represents."

Victoria Silverwood, Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy - "Dr Silverwood is deserving of this award as she has always been supportive and respectful with me and has shown empathy and awareness of my background as a LGBTQIA+ and first-generation university student. It is in this way that she has established an effective supervisory relationship through acknowledging the struggles that I have faced given my background. Her encouraging nature has also been instrumental in my academic career development as she was instrumental in aiding my successful (funded) PhD application with her knowledge and skills in the sports criminology sector. Furthermore, Dr Silverwood supported and believed in me when I doubted myself and my ability for postgraduate research and has actively encouraged me to take up various research and training opportunities that I may have previously avoided. It is in this way that she has supportively pushed me out of my comfort zone where I have developed new skills and have been able to grow as an academic and well-rounded person. Dr Silverwood has always offered support and feedback in a way that is clear and concise that helps support development and has been key in bringing out the best in myself and others."

Alexandra Sardani, Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy - "Dr Sardani has gone above and beyond in seeing me as a person and helping my PhD happen despite extraordinarily difficult life challenges I’ve had. She sees me as a person, does not view my Autistic characteristics as ‘other’ and respects me as a mother. She fights for better at every juncture and has taught me to do the same."

Brian Garrod, Management - "Brian has been an excellent supervisor for me for the past year and a half. He has always gone above and beyond to be available and has provided constant support for whatever I've required. He has supported me throughout a masters by research and helped me through the PhD application process, which is far from straight forward. He is now my PhD supervisor. Without Brian’s supervision I may well have given up on my higher education journey." 

"Professor Garrod allows for differences, he has a flexible and patient approach to supervision. He guides in a way that helps one to understand the 'why'. He's a great supervisor, and I feel lucky to have landed under his supervision."

Paul Jones, Management - "Over the past four years, his steady direction and insightful support have strengthened my research and enhanced my academic growth. Despite his extensive commitments, he remained fully supportive and always available to his students. His consistent encouragement, thoughtful advice, and genuine belief in the value of my work helped me grow in confidence and refine my academic voice. He continuously motivated me to present my research at both international and national conferences, which significantly strengthened my academic profile and broadened my professional network. I consider myself truly fortunate to have worked under his supervision."

"He sets clear expectations while adapting his approach to individual needs and circumstances. His professionalism and empathy significantly reduced the psychological pressure of the PhD and helped me sustain motivation and confidence throughout the journey.  He fosters progress through high-quality, developmental feedback: his comments are clear, constructive and actionable, enabling continuous improvement in academic writing, critical thinking and research independence. He also supports research development by guiding methodological decisions and encouraging me to take ownership of my work, while ensuring I always had structured support when needed.  Professor Jones collaborates effectively with co-supervisors, ensuring coherent guidance and a joined-up supervisory experience. He actively supports research dissemination by encouraging and facilitating conference participation, helping me engage with the wider academic community and develop as an emerging scholar.  This support was especially meaningful as I undertook my PhD while raising two young children (aged 1 and 3 at the start). With his understanding and steady guidance, I completed my PhD within three years."

Leighton Evans, Culture and Communication - "Leighton is my PhD supervisor, and there is no doubt that I could never have started and completed this PhD journey without his guidance and support. When I began exploring my thesis topic, he patiently encouraged me to discover my research interests and walked me through academic literature, helping me learn, grow, and establish my academic values.  As an expert in theory, he profoundly inspired me to recognize the significance of theory and philosophy in cultural and media studies. Under his guidance, I truly understood how theoretical thinking could deepen research in VR and phenomenology, which have become my core research interests.  He also supported my career development by offering me the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant, my first teaching experience that greatly enriched my CV. During the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging periods, he stood by me as a mentor, providing both academic advice and emotional support. Even after my graduation, he continues to offer valuable career guidance.  He is a guiding light on my academic path and a beacon in my life. I sincerely hope he receives this award and gains more recognition, support, and joy in the days ahead. Thank you all for your support!"

"If it wasn't for Leighton, I would've felt unable to study at PhD level due to my neurodiverse needs. He has been incredibly supportive, understanding and adaptable both within and beyond academic research, always making an effort to ensure that students feel respected, encouraged and motivated. Leighton has helped me with several opportunities that aligned very well both with my academic research and personal interests, introducing me to fellow researchers and helping me to publish my first paper."

Gwennan Higham, Cymraeg - "Dr Gwennan’s supervision has been transformative in shaping me as an independent and impact-driven researcher. She combines intellectual rigour with strategic vision, consistently strengthening my theoretical framing, methodological clarity, and critical analysis. Her feedback is precise, challenging, and constructive, pushing me to deepen my work and think more confidently and critically.  Through her guidance, I have learned to position my research within national policy frameworks, particularly in relation to bilingual education, Cymraeg 2050, and the Anti-racism Wales Action Plan. She encourages ambitious thinking while ensuring academic robustness. Equally important, she supports researcher wellbeing alongside excellence, helping me prioritise and maintain perspective during demanding periods without compromising standards.  A defining example of her mentorship was encouraging me to translate my research into practical impact. She supported me to apply for Adnodd funding to mobilise findings from my early PhD research into bilingual educational resources aligned with the new Curriculum for Wales. With her strategic guidance, I secured two phases of funding, enabling the co-production of inclusive resources for migrant learners and Welsh-medium education. Her supervision has empowered me to contribute meaningfully to research and to bridge educational practice and policy in Wales. Transformative, strategic, and empowering supervision with lasting national impact."

"Equally important has been her outstanding pastoral care. During a very difficult period in my personal life… Dr Higham showed deep empathy, understanding, and genuine care. She checked in on my wellbeing both during my sick leave and after my return, ensuring I never felt isolated in navigating my studies. She recognised the impact this experience had on my capacity and adjusted expectations accordingly, supporting me without pressure and consistently reassuring me of my ability to continue.  Her guidance has played a central role in enabling me to remain on my PhD journey. Thanks to her support, I am now in a strong and confident position with my research."

Gwennan Higham a Geraldine Lublin, Academi Hywel Teifi - "Hoffwn enwebu Dr. Geraldine Lublin a Dr. Gwennan Higham sydd wedi bod yn goruchwylio fy ymchwil ers Hydref 2022. Maent wedi bod yn fy nghefnogi ac yn rhan o dîm goruchwylio ehangach sy’n cynnwys Dr Mirain Rhys o Brifysgol Met Caerdydd. Yn ystod y tair blynedd mae Geraldine a Gwennan wedi cynnig cefnogaeth, cyngor ac arweiniad amhrisiadwy. Maent wedi cynnig awgrymiadau parthed llenyddiaeth, cynadleddau a chyrsiau addas ac maent wedi cynnig adborth strwythuredig ac adeiladol cyson yn ysgrifenedig ac ar lafar. Rydym wedi cwrdd yn rheolaidd ac mae’r cyfarfodydd wedi bod yn adeiladol ac yn gyfle i drafod syniadau a herio penderfyniadau. Yn ogystal â chynnig cefnogaeth academaidd, mae’r tîm wedi fy nghefnogi’n emosiynol hefyd gan flaenoriaethu fy lles.  Yn ogystal mae Gwennan wedi fy ngwahodd i gael cinio gyda myfyrwyr eraill yn yr Adran Gymraeg ac mae hi wedi cwrdd gyda fi dros goffi i drafod agweddau o’m gwaith. Mae arbenigedd y ddwy yn eu meysydd penodol wedi bod yn werthfawr wrth gynnal ymchwil sy’n ymwneud â’r Gymraeg a phwysigrwydd sicrhau parhad yr iaith nid yn unig i’r Cymry Cymraeg ond i fewnfudwyr a siaradwyr Cymraeg sy’n trigo mewn ardaloedd eraill o’r byd. Maent yn haeddiannol iawn o’r wobr." 

Kirsti Bohata, English Literature - "Over the course of my three years as a PhD student under Professor Bohata’s supervision, I have been in awe of her commitment to fostering a supportive PGR and ECR experience. Her supervisions are always constructive and intellectually demanding but confidence-boosting. She never misses or rearranges a supervision and always manages to read submitted work. She goes out of her way to seek career opportunities both inside and outside the academic spheres. Her knowledge in transdisciplinary terms is demonstrated by her collaboration with other researchers to facilitate the best knowledge for her students. My first year review and viva was a priority and finding the best staff to read and offer advice was evidenced in selecting Prof D. G. Williams and Dr. R. Robinson. Prof Bohata goes beyond the realm of thesis-support and is supportive in other professional endeavours such as supporting conference attendance and presentations (she has watched me present at two international conferences, aiding my ideas and shaping my papers), supporting and writing AFHEA reviews as well as assisting in guiding PhD students in publishing their research."

Nigel Pollard, History, Heritage and Classics - "Professor Nigel Pollard has been my supervisor since my Master's and PhD, supporting me as his student throughout both journeys with his knowledge for the research topics I researched and wrote. Moreover, Nigel was also supportive in my decisions in taking breaks in my research to dedicate myself directly in projects that would benefit me as an academic, as well as in industry prospective jobs. That includes organising and managing academic conferences, and personal projects. Nigel has built a strong and cohesive relationship with me, helping me to shape goals and expectations to develop research skills, and making me an independent researcher as well."

David Turner, History, Heritage and Classics - "David is positive, respectful and supportive in his supervision role. When I’ve been ill and unable to teach seminars or meet deadlines he has been understanding and sympathetic to my circumstances. He encourages critical thinking through feedback on my work. He asks me challenging questions in relation to my research, encouraging me to think of the bigger picture and develop my arguments.  He is especially supportive when it comes to my research dissemination. In 2023, I organised a disability day conference and he agreed to be the keynote speaker and stayed for the whole conference, forgoing other meetings and commitments. He has encouraged me to attend national and international conferences from the early stages of my PhD. In 2025, he attended the British Society for Eighteenth Century Studies Conference with me at the University of Oxford and sat in on my paper to support me by providing guidance and feedback. He is supporting my professional development by mentoring me on the Teaching Placement Scheme with teaching history undergraduates this semester.  Overall, David is a wonderful and quietly supportive supervisor. He has become my academic Fairy Godfather."

Federico Lopez-Terra, Modern Languages - "Federico has been my supervisor since 2020, when I began my MA. He has helped me through significant external challenges, to successfully complete my research this year. Actionable tasks and micro-goals were key to keeping me focussed on the task and ensuring continual progress, despite challenges. Federico worked closely with my 2nd supervisor to ensure a third voice was always present, a unique challenge provided other than his own. At every stage, I was challenged and pushed to produce the best research. Additionally, through his encouragement to engage with the CEPSAM research group, I also have highly valuable experience in organising a PGR conference, presenting, and working alongside other PGRs and academics. This was of particular use when he supported and managed me in a research assistant role, affording me exceptional opportunities to build on my research experience and the chance to diversify and engage with academics from across various disciplines. Through challenges to the initial MA project, that particular avenue of research is no longer of such relevance, but thanks to the opportunities Federico afforded me in being a research assistant, I have a clear idea of where I would like to take my research moving forward."

"Although he was not my supervisor, he has played a vital role in my PhD journey as a senior colleague in the same discipline. Throughout my doctoral studies, Fede has always been approachable, patient, and generous with his time. He responded thoughtfully to my questions and provided insightful feedback that helped me clarify my research direction. Importantly, he offered invaluable practical support for my fieldwork, allowing me to conduct classroom observations and assisting with the recruitment of student participants. His openness and trust significantly facilitated my data collection."

"He combines academic rigour with genuine care, creating a supervisory relationship that is structured, respectful and deeply supportive." 

Aimee Grant, Public Health and Wahida Kent, Social Work - "As an Autistic, disabled PGR, it has been vital to have a very positive, respectful, supportive supervision team who are able to adapt to my specific needs. Historically, society has favoured eugenics and harmful treatments to prevent Autistics from meaningfully contributing to the world. I would certainly not have been given the opportunities to be a PGR, let alone in the Autism field. It was crucial for me to find a neurodivergent supervision team that allowed me to be myself. My supervision team has holistically supported my personal and professional development, providing detailed, constructive feedback in a format I can process and allowing me to conduct my research independently. I feel grateful to be part of a team breaking barriers for Autistic researchers in the field of Autism. After all, no research should be conducted about us, without us."

Amira Guirguis, Pharmacy - "Amira has been my supervisor throughout both my MRes and now my PhD, and she exemplifies excellence across all dimensions of doctoral supervision. She has built an effective supervisory relationship grounded in positivity, respect and approachability, while also setting clear expectations and high standards. Her supportive and adaptable approach recognises individual needs and backgrounds, creating an environment in which I feel both challenged and encouraged to succeed.  In terms of collaboration, Amira works seamlessly with co-supervisors and colleagues to ensure I benefit from a broad range of expertise and perspectives. She actively supports my research development by strengthening my methodological skills, critical thinking and academic writing, while progressively encouraging independence and ownership of my project.  Amira’s feedback is consistently constructive, timely and developmental, enabling steady progress and growing research confidence. She has also been deeply invested in my professional and career development, offering guidance on opportunities within and beyond academia.  Importantly, she has strongly supported research dissemination. Through her mentorship and high level of expertise, I have published three full papers as lead author and presented at multiple conferences, significantly contributing to my development as an independent researcher."

Matthew Hitchings, Biomedical Sciences - "As my supervisor, Dr. Hitchings is highly communicative, supportive, and always seeks to affirm positive contributions (not just negative feedback). He has opened doors for me to collaborate with groups in other institutions, complementary to my PhD. He has also been highly supportive and sensitive during personal difficulties experienced during my PGR experience. Dr. Hitchings is highly regarded not just by myself, but by other PhD students to which he offers extensive support, clear feedback, and good ideas. He is therefore a prototypical example of a responsive and excellent supervisor for postgraduate research, both for his own students and for the postgraduate researchers of Swansea as a whole."

Angharad Closs Stephens, Geography - "Angharad is an excellent supervisor and has made my postgraduate experience very positive. As my primary supervisor, she has set clear expectations from the start and arranges monthly supervisory meetings with my supervisory team, and she works well with my other supervisors to provide constructive feedback for my work. Angharad monitors my personal and professional development as a researcher and is knowledgeable of the training opportunities available to me. She supports me to work independently.  Angharad has been incredibly supportive of my first publication. As co-author, she has arranged regular meetings – in addition to supervisory meetings – to guide me through the process of writing a paper. The paper is based on my master’s thesis and she respects and acknowledges the work I have done. She recognised this by stating that I should be first author – a hard-fought luxury for many PhD students. She also encourages me to present at conferences and encouraged me to become an editor of the ECR-led journal Agoriad. I would never have put myself forward for this position, and repeated conference presentations have improved my public speaking skills greatly, so Angharad’s support has directly benefitted not only my research skills and experience, but my confidence too."

Matt Jones, Computer Science - ..."the way he guided me for PhD was incredible, he led me through my thesis ensuring the best results. I got highly commendable award for my thesis and i can say Matt has a major role in it."

Christopher Muellerleile, Geography - "Chris provides superb supervision for his PhD students (4 completed since 2021; 1 ongoing), who have benefitted from his expert scholarly guidance, early career mentorship, unfaltering developmental encouragement, and compassionate pastoral support, and gone on to enjoy successful careers at the Development Bank of Wales and Public Health Wales, for example. Chris has also excelled in building and maintaining an exceptionally strong PGR research culture both within Swansea University’s Geography Department (e.g. by organizing PGR reading groups, seminar series, and conference opportunities) and also for the Human Geography Pathway of the ESRC’s Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS), which he leads and convenes for the benefit of all Human Geography PhD students in Welsh universities (e.g. by overseeing the Pathway’s PhD recruitment processes and co-organizing its annual residential PGR Conference and Theory School for 30-40 students). Chris works closely with academic and professional service colleagues within and beyond the University to provide a truly collaborative and supportive research environment for our PGR students, and he also supports those on our complementary Environmental Planning WGSSS Pathway. Given his exceptional contribution to the supervision of PGR students here and throughout Wales, I am delighted to nominate him for this Award."

Paul Albert, Geography - "I am thrilled to nominate Dr. Paul Albert for the PGR supervison award. From the start, he has created a supportive and respectful supervisory relationship, balancing clear expectations with encouragement for professional growth. He adapts guidance to different research challenges and fosters an inclusive, collaborative environment where I feel confident to develop my skills and ideas. He has guided me through submitting a manuscript to a highly reputable, peer-reviewed, and top-tier journal, and created opportunities for me to present at conferences, from large international meetings to smaller specialised events, helping me share my research and enhance its impact. Dr. Albert collaborates effectively with co-supervisors, providing well-rounded guidance. He encourages independence, critical thinking, and methodological skills, and his detailed feedback has improved my work and boosted my confidence in making independent decisions. Beyond my PhD, he fosters broader development. He arranged a student exchange programme in Japan for me, allowing me to learn from international experts and expand my knowledge, collaboration skills, and networks. His supervision combines expertise, encouragement, and care, turning challenges into opportunities and helping me achieve milestones and the confidence to thrive in my research and academic career."

Details coming soon.