BLOG: “Being shortlisted for an award for delivering excellence meant a lot to me”
“I would really encourage people to check out the award categories and consider nominating a colleague.”
A blog by Helen Browne, Systems Analyst/Programmer, Digital and Information Services Directorate, Queen's University Belfast.
In 2022, I was fortunate to be nominated in the ‘Delivering Excellence’ category of the Staff Excellence Awards. When I learned that I’d been shortlisted, it was a complete surprise but exciting as well!
I work in IT, and a lot of my job involves dealing with queries from staff, students or others. I love the opportunity to talk to people in other areas of the University (and from outside it) and find out how we can help them solve problems or make improvements using technology.
I think it’s important to always consider how a new feature or change will affect people, and to make sure that when we introduce something new, it has a positive impact. So being shortlisted for an award for delivering excellence meant a lot to me.
The Awards were held in the Whitla Hall in February 2023 and it was lovely to meet other nominees from all over the University and hear about the work they do. A lot of work had gone into making the hall suitable for an awards ceremony; the décor in the room and on tables were beautiful and really contributed to the celebratory experience on the day. Afternoon tea provided by the Hospitality team added to the sense of occasion as well.
I was so shocked to win I was worried I wouldn’t be able to walk up to the stage or that I might drop the plaque! My category was the first one announced, so I was able to concentrate on the other awards afterwards. Queens is such a large and diverse organisation that it’s difficult to keep up with all the work being done by individuals and teams in other areas. The Staff Excellence awards are a great way to highlight and recognise this.
I would really encourage people to check out the award categories and consider nominating a colleague, as it meant so much to be nominated, and it helps to publicise some of the great work which goes on at Queen’s.
