Sussex Library shortlisted in latest Times Higher Awards
The Library has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Library Team category for the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards (Thelmas) 2012, the first time Sussex has been shortlisted in these awards.
The nomination focussed particularly on the Library’s work to support researchers, particularly doctoral students and early-career researchers, with its new bespoke training, seminar programmes and other events; new library scholarships; and the new dedicated space in the Library, the Research Hive.
The Librarian, Kitty Inglis, is delighted that this initiative, which has attracted financial support from academic publisher SAGE, has been recognised in this way, making the national shortlist of just six institutions.
Kitty said: “This is a tribute to the collaborative efforts by colleagues at Sussex, academic researchers and research students, and our staff in the Library and the careers service, and with welcome support from SAGE.
“Through the seminars and programmes, we have ensured that the Hive is not just a physical space but a place where a research community can develop.
“This is emblematic of an exciting new approach to supporting academic career scholarship and learning at Sussex.”
The Sussex Research Hive opened in November 2010, providing doctoral students and academic researchers with their own space in the Library.
Over 30% of the University’s doctoral students across all subjects had used the Hive in its first nine months of opening, with 96% giving it positive feedback. Dedicated seminars and events drew in over 200 researchers at all levels from across the University in 2011.
Through the SAGE partnership, the Library has also been able to establish a Research Hive Scholarship Scheme, offering £3,000 annually to three Sussex doctoral students, who support this collaborative work.
The Thelma winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on 21 June.