The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences celebrates students’ success with its Student Awards

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) student awards, established in 2020, recognise outstanding and inspirational students within the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic student community who have either gained outstandingly high marks in their modules, or who have made exceptional steps towards achieving their study goals. The Faculty is fortunate to have the support of inspirational alumni and the families of outstanding academics for these Awards. The Faculty also recognises outstanding and inspirational students across the wider student cohort, and launched the Executive Dean Awards in 2023. Each Award recipient is enrolled on a Roll of Honour, and receives an engraved trophy, certificate, and monetary prize.

The Sir Lenny Henry Award for Outstanding Achievement is awarded to a student on a FASS undergraduate module who meets the awarding criteria and demonstrates that they have made excellent progress in their OU study towards achieving their study goals. The Joan Armatrading, The Professor Stuart Hall and The Professor Marcia Worrell Awards for Outstanding Performance are presented to a student on a FASS undergraduate module who meets the awarding criteria and attains the highest overall score in their module presentation.

Congratulations go to the following recipients of the Awards, presented in November 2023:

• Sara Diri received The Sir Lenny Henry Award for Outstanding Achievement on a 2022J FASS module. Lenny Henry said that “Escaping from the devastation of war has not been easy for her… She has shown resilience, and the OU support has given her a sense of belonging. I know how hard this is, and Sara did good. This is extraordinary work and Sara should be really, really chuffed.”
• Jonathan Sommerville received The Joan Armatrading Award for Outstanding Performance on a 2022J Level 2 or Level 3 module. Jonathan acknowledged his “brilliant tutors” from whom he’d had “the pleasure to learn from and be challenged. I couldn’t have obtained the results I have without your support. What I love about the OU is that its teaching programme is inclusive. Whatever your situation, whatever your aim or starting point, there is something for you.”
• Tracy received The Professor Stuart Hall Award for Outstanding Performance on a 2022J Level 1 module.
• Louise Williams received The Professor Marcia Worrell Award for Outstanding Performance on a 2023B Level 1 module. Louise thanked “all the staff at the OU for their hard work and dedication… The consideration that the OU puts into the structure of our learning is incredible. Winning this award is hopefully a testimony to the effort you have made to support people like me returning to education. The OU has enabled someone like me to return to studying and follow my aspirations.”

The Executive Dean Awards for Outstanding Achievement and for Best Performance are awarded to undergraduate students within each School of the Faculty. Congratulations to the recipients of the awards for 2022J and 2023B modules:

For Outstanding Achievement:

• Jade Mitchell, School of Psychology & Counselling, who thanked her DE300 Investigating Psychology 3 tutor David Moulds for his wonderful support.
• Julia Rogan, School of Arts & Humanities. Julia said the OU “as an institution, the staff, the service it provides, the teaching programmes, and the flexibility, support and understanding it provides to students like myself, are in my opinion unparalleled – and I cannot thank you enough for helping me to realise a lifelong dream.”
• Michelle Cookson, School of Social Sciences & Global Studies. Michelle said that “being classed as disabled and after losing my dad 2 years ago, it’s been a lot but the OU have helped support me throughout this and I cannot thank you enough.”

For Best Performance:

• Honor, School of Arts & Humanities, who was “humbled and profoundly honoured” and thanked her A276 Classical Latin tutor, Adam Marshall. She noted that “this award is a wonderful affirmation of the work of us students, and it will serve as a source of inspiration”
• Rachel, School of Psychology & Counselling, who noted “the fantastic support I received from my tutors… for giving me the opportunity to achieve something that I will forever be proud of.”
• Catriona Reid, School of Social Sciences & Global Studies, who thanked her tutor Nick Potts for his support.

Thanks to all tutors and other staff involved with the teaching and support of our students. The Faculty is consulting on further ways to recognise the achievement of students from under-represented groups and on expanding the Awards scheme.