Here are the 14 categories for the 2020 awards lots of choice for every university to find an area in which it excels. Universities may enter as many categories as they wish.

Entries will be judged by a representative panel from across the UK higher education sector, winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony in London, April 2020, and shortlisted entries will be profiled across the Guardian.

1. Staff experienceAwarded to an outstanding initiative that has a significant and measurable impact on working conditions for staff, from equality and diversity to pay and pensions.

2. Business collaborationAwarded to an outstanding university partnership with a business or an industry regional, national or international where knowledge is applied and resources are shared for the benefit of the wider economy.

3. Digital innovationAwarded to a university that is implementing innovative digital technology solutions to improve pedagogy, the student experience and online course delivery.

4. Employability and entrepreneurshipAwarded to a successful initiative that equips students with the skills they need for the job market, provides networking opportunities, gives them access to potential employers, and fosters the spirit of creativity that would enable them to launch their own enterprises.

5. InternationalisationAwarded to an outstanding project, venture or collaboration that shows the university operating with global vision and ambition.

6. Marketing and comms campaignsAwarded to an imaginative university marketing or press campaign that imparts a clear message to engage its target audience and raise the profile of the university, or show it in a new light.

7. Research impactAwarded to a research project that demonstrates either academic impact through advancing knowledge, or which results in measurable benefits to the wider society and/or the economy.

8. Course design, retention and student outcomesAwarded to a forward-thinking institutional or departmental approach that seeks to reimagine university education for a diverse student body and provide targeted support to students at risk of underperforming.

9. Social and community impactsupported by WonkheAwarded to a programme that has engaged with communities, at a local, national or global level, and implemented changes that have had a lasting impact.

10. Student experienceAwarded to an innovative project or initiative that has positively enhanced the academic and/or personal experience of the student body.

11. Buildings that inspireAwarded to a capital project that has positively enhanced the student and/or staff experience, and fostered a better living and working environment.

12. SustainabilityAwarded to a project or initiative that cuts down carbon emissions, reduces waste or lessens a universitys environmental footprint.

13. Teaching excellencesupported by JiscAwarded to an outstanding teaching initiative that inspires student learning and attainment through innovative pedagogy and places teaching at the forefront of the universitys mission.

14. Widening access and outreachAwarded to an initiative that has demonstrably helped to increase the number of disadvantaged and underrepresented students entering the university, through working with schools and communities to raise aspirations.

University of the YearAwarded to a university that combines academic excellence with an outstanding widening participation programme, drawing in a diverse intake and providing the tailored support students need to thrive.

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Originally posted here:
University Awards 2020: the categories - The Guardian