College of SSA – Inspirational Student Award Winners 2020
Alumni of the Year Award – Terasa D’Aquila, Formally MSc Psychology and presently, Autism PGCert
What did they do?
“This student is amazing. This student supported me in class as I have anxiety and continues to do so even though they have graduated from my course (I had to have a year off as a result of a close family bereavement). This student had just started running there own adult education centre which continues to run just before beginning the course in which this student offers many accredited subjects to people not comfortable with formal learning environments and is a fabulously supportive teacher.
This student’s young son was diagnosed with autism during there studies on the MSc psychology. This student found that there was little provision for him in the form of a playgroup, speech and language and occupational therapy, so this student set up their own playgroup where they employ an OT and Speech and Language therapist weekly. The children were mostly non-verbal and after a few months are now mostly verbal! This student supports the families and helps them to access the help that they need. This student also now takes Hallam students in OT on placement.
This student is very inspirational. When they see an obstacle, this student doesn’t just jump over it, they smash it to the ground. There aren’t enough categories in the list that can be chosen for this student. This student very much deserves this award.”
Hallam for All Award – Ana Starkey, BSc Hon Architecture
What did they do?
Before I met this person, I gained mediocre grades throughout my entire degree. I had great ideas, but I just couldn’t put these thoughts onto paper. However, when I met this person, they took the time out of their life to come help me understand my work despite the fact they were already doing a degree of their own. This person spent days at a time trying to help me transform my concepts into legible written work. They also first brought the idea up that I might be dyslexic and dyspraxia. This had never really occurred to me, as I thought I was just generally clumsy and not that great at English, and no one had ever brought it up to me before. However, this person cared about me enough that they were finally able to realise something that teachers and professionals had just seen straight through for years. This person also helped me learn about Unihub and all the amazing classes that were available to help me improve myself.
What was the impact?
Since meeting this person, I am now excelling within my degree, raising my grades from 2:2s to firsts and extremely high 2:1s. The difference this has made to both my academic future but also my self confidence has been extraordinary. I am not stupid, I am not incapable of writing essays, my ideas are good, and I can achieve within a subject I love. I have also been able to take part in a disability assessment, which had confirmed that I am in fact dyslexic and dyspraxic. This has led me to gain access to resources such as funding from student finance, and better understand in what ways I need to improve myself as an academic. I am now attending multiple different skills centre sessions learning about different writing techniques and software available for writing structure and structure. I am also attending 1:1 meetings with dyspraxia and dyslexia specialists to help me understand ways of helping myself. I Hope to become someone who one day doesn’t place so much pressure on other people to help me with my assignments, especially my nomination, who has spent so much time helping me achieve in ways I didn’t know were possible.
How did it inspire others?
This has inspired me to spend a lot more time fixing the issues that I did not realise I had before meeting this person. I now know that I want to help other people with similar issues by gaining a PGCE in mathematics from Sheffield Hallam University. This way I can help those with similar SEN issues to me, and give them an earlier start in understanding their the support available to them. This has also inspired me to help my friends with their essays, and let them know about Unihubs support classes, to give them the opportunities to improve themselves, which has led to a spread of knowledge throughout their friends and other students about the support they could receive. Finally, after learning that dyspraxia and dyslexia are hereditary, my sister was inspired to apply for an assessment in her college, to determine if she is or isn’t dyslexia and/or dyspraxic, so that she can gain help and support from the beginning of her university course, so that she can succeed to her full potential.
Workplace Award – Zoe Rodgers, MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice Practice
What did they do?
The nominee has worked part-time alongside members of staff as a Research Assistant on two funded research projects that investigate Community Protection Notices. On the first project they were tasked with recruiting and interviewing participants from an extremely hard to reach group of anti-social behaviour perpetrators. On the second, they have been required to recruit and interview practitioners from the police, local council, and social housing providers in four case study areas about the implementation of this new anti-social behaviour power. On both occasions, they have demonstrated initiative, tenacity and perseverance that is far beyond the expectations of a student researcher, which has resulted in the generation of extremely strong samples of participants. Their willingness to follow advice and pursue various lines of inquiry with confidence and assurance has resulted in them creating contacts and networks with: national charity chief executives, NGOs, journalists, high level officials (e.g. police superintendents), and anti-social behaviour perpetrators. The recruitment work was followed by the individual thoughtfully interviewing a diverse range of people in a professional manner, which has generated a wealth of relevant data for us to analyse and disseminate.
What was the impact?
Their work has had multiple impacts. First, by generating a high quality sample of participants the research has produced a plethora of rich qualitative data. For project one, we initially thought we would write one journal article, but as a result of the work of the nominated student, we will now be able to produce two that will be submitted to high ranking journals. We will also be able to produce three articles for the second project because of their work. This research represents the first body of work into Community Protection Notices and will form a key component of our REF 2027 submission; the academic team undertaking this research would not have been able to develop this work with without the incredible efforts of the nominee. Second, the initial project was undertaken in partnership with the campaign group Manifesto Club. We will be writing a report for them that will be disseminated internationally. This, plus the work from second project is likely to have national policy impact due to the originality and significance of the findings. Third, the findings have already been used in lectures and have contributed to our research-informed teaching provision.
How did it inspire others?
The nominee came through our undergraduate criminology programme and it is inspiring to see one of our own students having developed into an extremely confident and competent researcher at such an early stage of their career. They have also inspired others through their achievements. For example, they recently delivered part of my core second year lecture about anti-social behaviour powers to 200 students, detailing their research on our Community Protection Notices project. This showed our current cohort what can be achieved in just two years by studying criminology, having a passion for the subject and taking the employment opportunities offered within the Department. More and more of our students want be researchers and continue onto postgraduate study and I am sure that seeing this person’s achievements has influenced that trend. The nominee has also been mentoring one of my dissertation students who is a keen researcher and also investigating Community Protection Notices. My dissertation student has said they are ‘so positive’ and how the nominee has helped them ‘massively’. Overall, they an exceptionally talented researcher who has already inspired people with their work, something that I’m sure will continue as they plan to embark on an academic career.
Enterprising & Entrepreneurship Award – Wesley Ashton Holmes, BA Hon Graphic Design
What did they do?
“They founded Swype Creative in 2018 whilst being a Hallam Graphic Design student, during their Sandwich Year placement with the Enterprise Team. Whilst working freelance alongside their studies, they discovered that many student freelancers found it difficult to gain the trust of new clients and gain a foothold in the marketplace. They decided to address this by setting up their own agency. The company offers a broad range of creative media and design services. In effect a ‘one-stop shop’ of related services.
Example clients include Palletways, The LIV Group, Volkswagen, BTR Capital, University of Sheffield, Commercial Motor, Revival Solutions and The Harewood Group.”
What was the impact?
“Swype Creative is now a well-established, very profitable design agency providing high quality, cost effective services to multiple business sectors. The agency has grown at an impressive rate in terms of turnover and profitability and now boasts many high-end clients in the UK and internationally across a range of sectors.
They continue to develop their brand and has recently established exciting new contacts in New York. With ambitious plans to take Swype Creative to scale-up his business as soon as they graduates in 2020, we are confident that their commitment in providing innovative solutions to their clients combined with excellent customer service, will ensure the success of their business.”
How did it inspire others?
What has been achieved shows how any student can put their mind to something and achieve great things whilst studying too. They have also impressed whilst being a finalist in the Hallam Enterprise Awards. A shining example to all students with entrepreneurial aims.
Global Impact Award – Jessica Mistry, BA Hon Film & Media Production
What did they do?
They are unflappable and is a fantastic role model for other students. They are modest but a high achiever academically. They have demonstrated a high and distinctive level of creativity, technical virtuosity and professionalism in their specialist role as a sound designer in their graduation film project. They engage in extra-curricular activities such as student ambassador. They recently volunteered for a trip to the Lebanon where they worked with the children in the largest refugee camp in Lebanon providing an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
What was the impact?
through consistently excellent engagement to the the curriculum, producing distinctive working across a wide range of collaborative group projects in film and media. A reliable and calming influence to others with an unflappable “can do” attitude. By creating a huge trans-global impact on the lives of young children as a volunteer in a refugee camp in Lebanon bringing light, hope, knowledge and happiness into their lives and providing a transformative platform for them to tell their own stories in a collaborative film project.
How did it inspire others?
the Lebanon trip is such an inspiration for prospective students and their parents at Open Days offering a more expansive and altruistic perspective of what Sheffield Hallam can offer that can enrich and shape the experience of future students.
Placement Advocate Award – Mandy Shek, BA Hon Early Childhood Studies
What did they do?
“A student gave me the full information while attending the SHU study abroad fair about a Summer School Placement in 2020, Germany.
After the fair, I had the chance to contact the student and ask a few questions regarding the University of education in Germany. After applying and further enquiries I eventually secured an offer for placement from the Germany university as well as full support from my MA TESOL course.”
What was the impact?
It increased my motivation and decision to apply to the placement in Germany. This will be the first time for me to go abroad purely for a placement. Without support from the student advisers at the event I would not have applied to the placement or the SHU go global fund.
How did it inspire others?
It will be a good model for the students who want to apply to SHU go global opportunities.
Regional Impact Award – Sarah Smith, PhD at Lab4Living
What did they do?
They bring energy, inspiration, enthusiasm, passion and joy to their work and their fellow students, colleagues and supervisors. Their varied background spanning art, radiotherapy, research and design makes them one of a kind and compassionate and understanding to many disciplines and people. They are a PhD Course Rep and take their role seriously with passion and conviction. Through this role and of their own accord they have organised inspiring events such as evenings celebrating and learning from failure in Sheffield (Slip-up Stories), a Critical Arts In Health Network and PHD Skill-Share Workshops (Camp Do It Together).
What was the impact?
Their very nature impacts on everyone they meet, bringing positivity and passion to a room, inspiring others on a daily basis. Their events, workshops and networks reach 100’s of people a year, not exclusive to the PhD community – public events across Sheffield, Yorkshire and wider have impacted on healthcare outcomes, education and amplified marginalized voices for example. Recent work has challenged health inequalities in Yorkshire, and through national events made links and married up conversations between providers to impact positively on the lives of people. Local work in Sheffield communities has opened conversations impacting on those who are struggling with poverty and ageing. Their charity work has also recently resulted in helping those effected by flooding in Doncaster.
How did it inspire others?
Their infectious enthusiasm inspires fellow students, colleagues and supervisors daily. Through their work they have inspired others take up careers in this area, to begin PhDs/further education, to engage in charity work and face these societal issues as a team. They inspire others to make the most of life, their attitude is to see and be as much as they can. To know them is to witness a person who wants give back to the world, whether it be using drawing as a method to support complex understanding around health issues, their political campaign against NHS cuts or their journey to become a Dr in the area they were born to work.
We Are Hallam Award – Josh Chapman, BA Journalism
What did they do?
This final year undergraduate student has consistently shown an exceptional attitude to taking on extra-curricular activities for the good of the course as well as for their personal development. The student contributed a personal written recommendation of the course for an external magazine promotion with only one day’s notice. The student also volunteered to film a two-hour Grad Talk event and interviewed our alumni guests afterwards. The student then spent several hours editing the work to produce a short video for the department’s use and a separate video and social media content for the university’s alumni engagement office. This student has also volunteered to film the department’s annual Pathways careers event and interview guest speakers. This is an all-day event and will involve a lot of work both on the day and editing afterwards. The student also volunteered to work all night at the Sheffield general election count, finishing at 4.30am, to produce content for the subject group’s new outward-facing student website. The student was one of five to volunteer but was the only one who went to the location a few days earlier to conduct a recce of the facilities and liaise with city council staff in charge of the count.
What was the impact?
The impact was that this student’s positive attitude encouraged their peers to volunteer for events as well. They encouraged another student to volunteer at Grad Talk and have rallied several other students to get involved in filming at Pathways which will benefit all of them by giving them real world experience of filming and interviewing, enhancing their CVs and employability. The general election content they produced was used to launch the new journalism website, providing us with an excellent public showcase to promote the course. Likewise, the piece the student wrote for a magazine also raised the profile of the course externally.
How did it inspire others?
The student led by example and has a generous nature which means they don’t try to steal the limelight for themselves but instead encourage and help others to achieve as well. Their positive ‘can do’ attitude rubs off on other students and encourages them to volunteer for extra-curricular activities as well, enhancing everyone’s skills. The student has a pleasant and engaging personality, making them an inspirational figure among the cohort. This student has stood out through their time on the course and, for all the above reasons, I believe this student deserves to be recognised with an award.
Outstanding Student Voice Award – Laith Jafaar, Law LLB
What did they do?
They are the current Faculty Academic Representative for the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities. Through this they have embarked on projects to represent student voice. These projects include the Anonymous Online Feedback Forum, a place where students can raise their concerns or give their feedback on any module, course, department or college anonymously. This has not been done before. They have also started to establish a ‘Request a Guest Speaker’ system within the university. A system where students across the whole university can use the university’s resources to request a certain speaker or topic to be organised. And they have been working closely with the Student Representation group at the university and attempting to re-shape the Course and Department Rep roles into more useful opportunities for those who apply for them. To give them an ability to gain skills to demonstrate on their CV’s. They are now a member of the Academic Board, the highest academic council in the university. They have also been a Law Course Rep for the second year running now and won the Irwin Mitchell Rising Star Prize for their efforts to helping the department. They were also a TEF Pilot Panellist, helping the university with how they meet the relevant criteria to the framework. They became a founding volunteer of LawLinks, a new platform for students at all Law levels and even alumni to connect with each other and share resources and build connections easier. Lastly, they are also a Law and Student Ambassador and has created a warm and welcoming experience to those who went through their inductions at Level 4 Law or are still choosing whether to pick SHU as their university on the Course Open Days.
What was the impact?
The impact of all of these projects that they have done is large. They represent 9000 students as the Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty Representative at the Student Union Council, Student Representation Group and also now the Academic Board. The anonymous feedback forum that they are currently working on will impact massively on the way that students relay feedback to the university. It will provide a platform for students to do this online and completely anonymously and this has been a topic of discussion for a long time now. Students sometimes may not feel comfortable sharing their concerns, knowing their name or face is attached to it. Thus, this new platform that they have designed will make a large impact. Moreover, the re-work of the Course and Department Representatives will also play a large part in the massive impact that they have made to this university as it will give students the opportunity to gain skills from this new and established role. Skills that will be attractive to employers and placement providers. They have made a large impact on representing the university well, whenever asked to attend or run an event. Such as, when they spoke in the lectures to welcome the new Level 4 Law students.
How did it inspire others?
They have been described as the most active and fully immersed faculty academic representative of this academic year. They have confidence and a large passion for student representation and will continue to work tirelessly on improving students academic and non-academic experience in the university. They inspire others by their willingness to never give up and to continue to keep a positive spirit when tackling problems. Their confidence in public-speaking inspires people to be more confident in themselves. They believe that everyone matters in this university, every single one has a voice and they encourage them to use it. Their determination for resolving issues and coming up with new improvements to the university is endless. They love to inspire and to go above and beyond what is asked of them and I believe this is a great quality that they encompass.
Inspiring Individual of the Year Award – Jan Hryckowian, BSc Construction Project Management
What did they do?
The student is a mature student who joined the course following a period in the Armed Services. After the leaving the Armed Services, the student struggled with civilian life, and spent some time homeless. The student joined the course with some trepidation, feeling somewhat different to other students in age and experience. However, the student has engaged with true commitment to the course, built excellent relationship with staff and students, and has thrown themselves into University life by becoming a student ambassador. The student has a fantastically positive outlook.
What was the impact?
The impact has been the individual development of the student as they have progressed well on the course, to achieve progression from Level 4 to Level 5. There has been a further impact through the students work as an Ambassador in which he provides a voice for mature students at open days, and is able to talk through specific issues with applicants from personal experience.
How did it inspire others?
This has exemplified to other students, staff and to applicants the power of a committed student to overcome individual struggles, through equipping themselves for learning and study as well as engaging fulling in the University.
Society of the Year Award – Scouting for Cinema
(Max Loftus, Phoebe Grana, Adam Donald, Vakas Hussain)
What did they do?
The student group (Scouting for Cinema, as their event group name) hosted a scout group at the university for an event screening, as part of their Community Cinema module. The scout group were, at that time, working towards their World Challenge in which this includes addressing and meeting various aspects of the badge. The student group hosted the event at the university’s resident cinema, The Void, and explored the ‘environmental’ aspect of the badge by immersing the scouts into understanding our global environment using film. They bought the cinema to life by bringing the outdoors in, using leaves and branches to decorate the venue.
What was the impact?
The impact was that the scouts were so impressed by the first event screening, they wanted the students to host again. They even offered to pay a fee for it! The students offered to host another event screening on a voluntary basis, at which the scout group were thrilled. The students themselves echoed the meaning behind the scouts’ World Challenge, by showing team spirit and being ambassadors of the community.
How did it inspire others?
It inspired the scouts themselves, as the immersive experience really gave them the opportunity to explore their ideas of the environmental aspect of the badge. It inspired the scout leaders as they truly valued the opportunity this offered to their scouts and came back wanting more! It inspired the academics and the Venture Matrix staff as we saw the preparation at the beginning and watched the project all the way through to the end, and so could appreciate all the hard work that had gone into it! And finally, it inspired the students as they were so excited at the idea that what they had produced had real community impact, so much so that their services were requested again. Go “Scouting for Cinema”!