University of Hertfordshire staff celebrate wins at the University Alliance Awards 2023

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Julie Newlan MBE, was awarded the TechnologyOne Lifetime Achievement Award, while Visiting Researcher, Dr James Fortune was announced the winner of the DTA Alumni Award, at the glitzy awards ceremony, held at the University of South Wales’ Treforest campus in Pontypridd this year.

The TechnologyOne Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed on an exceptional individual who has worked tirelessly to make an outstanding contribution to the higher education sector. Highlighting her 27 years’ service at Herts and 30 years within higher education, Professor Newlan was celebrated for her unfaltering work ethic, fervour for higher education and business prowess which have all made an immense contribution to Herts becoming a more socially engaged and entrepreneurial university.

Working in senior management at Herts for the last 12 years - first as Dean of the Business School; then Pro Vice-Chancellor from 2009; as a member of the Vice-Chancellor Group since 2017 and Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 2022 – Professor Newlan is attested as being at the heart of the University’s effective careers and employment strategy, our enterprise and development strategy and our ambitious international growth plan.

Speaking on the night, Professor Julie Newlan MBE said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this award for the privilege of doing something I love.”

The DTA Alumni Award is awarded to an alumnus of the Doctoral Training Alliance who has made an exceptional impact within and outside of their work. Dr Fortune won for his research into plant disease control to achieve food security, and for his work with local farmers clubs and wider UK agricultural organisations.

The Alliance Awards celebrate individuals and teams from University Alliance members in a range of categories aligned with University Alliance’s core values: integrity, professionalism, innovation, collaboration and fun. Winners were selected from over 160 nominees by a panel of independent judges from across higher education.

University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson said: “It is always wonderful to get the chance to celebrate excellence from inspiring people across our Alliance membership – and this year was no exception. The projects and initiatives represented at the Awards display the extraordinary calibre of work happening at our universities, and the central role they play in the fabric of UK society and our economy.”

Two other Herts employees were successfully shortlisted for Alliance Awards.

Stephen Lines, Principal Technical Officer in the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science, was shortlisted alongside Professor Newlan for the TechnologyOne Lifetime Achievement Award. He has worked at Herts for 34 years and has had an immense impact on countless Aerospace Engineering students.

Anabelle Bullock, Education Liaison Officer, was then shortlisted for the Star Award, which celebrates individuals or teams who have made their university a brighter place. Her nomination read: “Bella’s fun, positive nature radiates when communicating with young people at Open Days or school visits. She goes out of her way to give young people from all backgrounds a positive and relatable experience, helping them start their journey to higher education, allay their concerns and realise their ambitions.”

For a full list of winners visit the University Alliance website.