Stephen Fry Public Engagement Awards
The annual Stephen Fry Public Engagement Awards recognise our staff and students, and their work engaging non-academic audiences.
The annual Stephen Fry Public Engagement Awards recognise our staff and students, and their work engaging audiences and stakeholders beyond the university. Winners and nominees of the Awards are recognised for their crucial role in organising and delivering excellent public engagement, enhancing benefits to society and improving their own skills.
The awards are open to all staff and students, and recognise the vital role played by our partnering organisations.
There are three categories of award:
- Engaged Early-career Researcher (Postgraduate researchers and research staff)
- Engaged Researcher (Academic and academic-related staff)
- Engagement Project of the Year (open to all staff and students)
2024 Award winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Stephen Fry Public Engagement Awards. The annual awards celebrate the people and projects that engage with wider audiences, and the benefits they bring to society. In addition, commendations were awarded in all award categories. The work described in these applications excelled at engaging audiences with the University's research.
Watch a video of the 2024 Stephen Fry Award winners receiving their awards from our Principal, Prof Iain Gillespie and Stephen Fry.
Engaged Early Career Researcher of the Year
Vincenzo Rinaldi won the Early Career Researcher of the Year award for his research into new ways of 3D imaging crime scenes and fire investigations.
In the future, this technology could allow a jury to experience crime scenes virtually, and forensic science specialists to direct the collection of evidence without physically being at a crime scene.
Commendation for Engaged Early Career Researcher of the Year
Mashal Aamir
Stephanie Puohe
Selection panel members: Andrea Mohan, Shamima Huque, and Nicky MacCrimmon (Dundee City Council).
Engaged Researcher of the Year
Dr Suzanne Duce, was named Engaged Researcher of the Year in recognition of her outstanding and eclectic range of science-themed public and schools’ engagement.
Suzanne is motivated by sparking the imaginations of future scientists and she received this award for her inclusive approach to education.
Commendation for Engaged Researcher of the Year
Selection panel members: Prof Jan Clarkson, Prof Graham Pullin and Caitlin MacInnes (Dundee Science Centre).
Engagement Project of the Year
'Exchanges: Inspiring Parkinson’s Conversations'
The Exchanges project was led by the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit based in our School of Life Sciences and engagement consultant Sarah Patrick. They worked alongside freelance artist Daksha Patel and people with lived experience of Parkinson’s including two carers.
The project identified the need to develop a creative resource that inspires deep, meaningful exchanges between Parkinson’s researchers and people with lived experience of Parkinson’s, with the aim of increasing patient involvement in research.
By listening to and learning from one another, those involved in the project benefitted professionally and personally whilst producing a resource that meets the needs of the global Parkinson’s community.
Commendation for Engagement Project of the Year
Selection panel members: Caroline Brown, Dr Keith Dinnie, Peter Nurick (V&A Dundee) and Dr Laura Wicks (Heriot-Watt University).
To sign up for information on the 2025 awards, or if you have any questions or comments about the awards, please email the Public Engagement Team.