The Collaboration Award Longlist NSVAs 2022
Recognising those that have worked alongside others to achieve something special, The Collaboration Award celebrates students who have worked together, across different groups or teams. We know that collaboration takes work, time and dedication but can have a huge impact. We are particularly interested in new collaborations - so this is the first time you’ve worked together.
Nerd Varsity
Nerd Varsity which this involves societies such as Gaming, Anime, Quiz and Model United Nations, Film, Harry Potter, and Sci-Fi and Fantasy society
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
This project provides a safe space for over 100 students to come together to compete for the best nerd soc award and allows for the community to express their interests and support their societies. It is all student led run, we ran over 13 events over the space of 3 weeks which committees ran. Some events had over 40 people compete in a Super Smash Tournament or a Nerd TedX Talk. All tickets and T-Shirt sales made from the event went to a student mental health charity - over £200. Nerd Varsity has been the highlight of many students' years and has been a welcome change due to isolation
What is special about this nominee?
As it is all student led, it is an amazing example of different nerd societies coming together to create a major tournament for students to compete in and make new friends. We have students from all over Wales join us challengers or alumni for their societies because of the impact it has had. We have created innovative new events such as hypothetical movie fights and anime dubbing. The amount of creativity found at these events have lead to a range of short films and world building which has been incredible to watch.
Meowry Christmas
“Meowry Christmas - Plymouth College of Art Cat Society and University of York Cat Society”. PCA Cat Society aims to help and support animal charities through fundraising, events and awareness, local and worldwide. UoY Cat Society brings together cat lovers for a variety of cat-themed events.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
The “Meowry Christmas” event was a collaboration between the Plymouth College of Art Cat Society and University of York Cat Society. Together they hosted an online film screening, watching A Whisker Away, to bring together cat lovers from both institutions for a Christmas film screening.
What is special about this nominee?
Both the Plymouth College of Art Cat Society and University of York Cat Society are only a couple years old and relatively small, so for them to think out of the box and collaborate with each other, bringing together students from two different institutions, is a great thing. This is the first time one of our clubs and societies have collaborated with another club or society from another institution, so it was great for them to set this example and give other groups ideas of ways to branch out.
Mutley Plain Sustainable Fashion Show
“Mutley Plain Sustainable Fashion Show”. Oxfam, Skekinah and Children’s Hospice South West worked together to showcase the best in sustainable fashion and raise the profile of Mutley Plain as a great second-hand shopping destination, supported Plymouth College of Art’s Upcycling Fashion Society.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
This event brought light to the importance of sustainable fashion and discouraging the community of Plymouth from fashion fashion, encouraging them to shop in the amazing charity shops on Mutley Plain. It also provided opportunity for the local community and students to get involved by volunteering to photograph the event, model or dress models, and much more. The Mayor of Plymouth, and Consort (Councillor Mrs Terri Beer and Mr Colin Beer) opened the event at Oxfam, Mutley Plain at 1pm, Saturday 26th March and then visited Shekinah and Children’s Hospice South West.
What is special about this nominee?
Plymouth College of Art Upcycling Fashion Society members played a huge part in this event, working with the charity shops to create upcycling fashion pieces and help on the day, and other students helped by photographing the event and documenting it on social media. Volunteer models, dressers and runners all contributed their time to this sustainable fashion event. Outfits and designs were on sale after the shows in each shop, offering those who attended a chance to pick up unique fashion outfits.
Spark Student Radio Pantomime
Students and alumni of Spark, Shock, Utter, Fly, Sonar, Queen’s Radio and URY came together this Christmas to provide a bit of desperately needed light entertainment. Written and produced by Spark’s Megan Hayward, the pantomime went out at 6pm on Christmas Day on Spark FM.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Due to Spark’s late night phone in show The Bedtime Babble On, students in student radio have been able to call up, listen and chat to each other since Summer 2020. It was hearing this show that made me really excited to go to Sunderland University and get involved with Spark, it also got a few of us talking about the idea of a student radio pantomime after Babble On presenter Kai shared a video of himself as Buttons from his teenage years. Being a theatre kid seems to go hand in hand with being on student radio- that love for an audience never goes away!
What is special about this nominee?
"Due to the range of people initially involved with the concept and the ongoing pandemic, remote recording was always the plan to ensure everyone that wanted to, could get involved.
And with some students still being locked out of their studios- the audio quality ranges quite significantly between actors but this project was more about coming together to create something fun than worrying about it being perfect. This project was the result of 6 volunteer-ran student radio stations coming together to spread some community joy to students over the lonely Christmas period. "
The Clothes Sale Project
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
The difference this project has made is huge and varied. It’s raised money for charities, including £578 for CARA (Campaign for Action on Rape and Abuse) and £268 for Ukraine. The project also raised awareness of these causes and used its platform to bring attention to the ethical implications of disposable fashion. Through collaboration with societies like WiSTEM and Feminist Soc, they’ve pulled various student communities and groups into the conversation around these issues, and the larger effort to raise money for worthy causes that chimed with the topics most important to our students.
What is special about this nominee?
This project is special because it is entirely conceived of and led by students who seamlessly worked together, reaching out to collaborate with other students as extensively as possible. It is also special because of its broad remit: In addition to it’s original aims of starting an on-campus conversation about the ethical benefits of sourcing second-hand clothing, and providing students with an affordable and convenient means to get clothes, the project re-organised from an exchange, to a sale, so that it could raise money for charities and causes that resonate with our members.
Huddersfield Jewish Society
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Throughout the year the JSoc have collabed with The holocaust learning centre that we have here at Huddersfield to deliver educational talks on antisemitism, holocaust denial & survivor talks. Their stand out collaboration was with the LGBTQ+ Society to host a 'PRIDEday Night Dinner'. The society cooked a traditional Jewish 3 course meal for 40 people. They used the event to educate other students about Jewish culture and raise awareness for LGBTQ+ issues.
What is special about this nominee?
In previous years the JSoc have been very small & inactive on campus. Although the number of Jewish students at Huddersfield is low the committee are very keen to showcase and share their traditions with others. It is through their collaboration with other societies that has allowed the Jsoc to grow so rapidly and many non-jewish students to join. The committee went above and beyond for their PRIDEday night dinner cooking everything from scratch in 3 different student accommodation kitchens over 3 days. The community they have created between students on campus has been incredible to witness.
Viking Rally
Durham University Scout and Guide Group and Newcastle University Student Scout and Guide Group
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Viking Rally was an event for student scouts and guides from across the country in November 2021 in Durham. DUSAGG and NUSSAGG worked hard for 18 months to plan and prepare for Viking Rally, the first in person camp for the Student Scout and Guide Organisation (SSAGO) in almost 2 years. The event saw participants arriving on Friday evening for a weekend of activities such as Ikea and ABBA bingo, a Viking themed quiz, monopoly runs, guided tours, mini golf, climbing, a Ceilidh, silent disco and campfire, plus a morning meeting for SSAGO reps to discuss matters important to them and the future.
What is special about this nominee?
The event was inclusive for all members with a dedicated committee role for it (first time), and also by securing grants and loans for the event - keeping their prices low (£30-£35). Profit from the event is used for future national SSAGO events and Development Fund bids to improve the experience of all SSAGO members. 228 members from 33 different clubs attended, becoming the highest attended in person event for SSAGO this year! In the 18 months leading up to the event, the committee ran an effective publicity campaign, using Facebook, Instagram and a discord server (with their own bot!).
NTU Pride Society
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
NTU Pride has spearheaded an Inclusive Sports Project which supports students who may not access sport due to gender identify, body dysmorphia, scars and acne, physical disability, or mental health. NTU Pride worked collaboratively with other groups including NTU Dance, NTU Dodgeball, NTU Trampolining. NTU Pride faciliated workshops that were open to staff and students, which looked at the challenges faced by students and how groups can make their sport more inclusive. Members have expressed that without this project they would not have had the confidence to try sport at NTU.
What is special about this nominee?
We believe NTU Pride should win a national award for this project because we believe it demonstrates why societies play such an important role within higher education and the university community. Societies are a space for students to explore their identities, try new things, get things wrong but learn and be a part of a community that supports one another and celebrates each other’s differences. NTU Pride has over 255 members, this alone is an achievement, the highest it has ever been, this project has opened up new opportunities and brought two different communities together.
Tanya Bellows
SUBU Reducetarian Society President and Food Champion for SUBU's Climate Action Student Team
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
Tanya's passion and research into veganism and sustainable food has really made an impact at SUBU and BU. Through her role being President of the Reducetarian Society, being the CAST Food Champion and engaging/campaigning through SUBU's feedback routes, she has not only raised awareness of low carbon eating on campus, but also directly led to a change in SUBU policy and is researching in collaboration with BU and SUBU to investigate low carbon eating.
What is special about this nominee?
Tanya has great communication skills, knowledge and takes action to match! She has used her leadership position to collaborate with students across different areas of the university, in the Reducetarian Society and the Climate Action Student Team to enact change and influence decision making at SUBU. Tanya's collaboration led to 16 students individually submitting ideas through SUBU's feedback channel to implement and increase of plant based foods on campus. Within a few months, the charge for plant based milk in SUBU's cafes and outlets has been dropped as a result of this!
Science Alive
Science Alive involved 12 STEM societies running immersive activities for children over 1 day on Sheffield University campus. Student leaders coordinated the event, working closely with societies to create an environment in which children could explore, play, and learn in collaboration with others.
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
SA presents science as attainable, fun and for everybody. Children get to spend time in a university building, speak to current students, and try out a variety of idiosyncratic, fun STEM activities, like a Cartesian Diver. The event amplifies underheard voices, with the presence of societies like Women in Engineering and LGBT+ in STEM encouraging children of all backgrounds to get involved. “Seeing the children’s faces light up when they learnt an interesting science fact, it made me believe this event was meaningful in motivating them to be enthusiastic about science.” Kelly, Project Leader
What is special about this nominee?
The magic of Science Alive is in the teamwork demonstrated by students. SA student leaders, general volunteers and society members must come together to design, develop and deliver the event. Each society is distinct in discipline and focus, but they collaborate to ensure a safe, immersive and accessible environment, sharing the aim of “Spark your imaginations and bring science alive!”. Students gain insight into other scientific disciplines, fostering cross-disciplinary conversations and partnerships.
Foodbank Society & Mary's Meals Society
Foodbank drive
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
The donation drive rallied a broad range of societies to make significant donations, collecting food as well as 50 backpacks for disadvantaged young people full of learning materials, hygiene items and clothes. They also raised money for those most in-need, in Glasgow and in Malawi. This drive was also impactful in that the volunteers involved gained many skills, and put in around 30 hours of volunteering each within the 6 days of the drive.
What is special about this nominee?
Beyond the positive effect of the donation drive, there was a unique decision to focus on sustainability, with COP26 happening in Glasgow at the same time, and to build on a previous event that had taken place during Fairtrade Fortnight. For example, there was a push to encourage people to donate cans in their cupboard that they thought they might never use, and for second-hand donations of backpacks and clothes. Additionally, they provided information about climate change and its impact on our food chains, and how our habits impact the environment.
Society Showdown
Societies Showdown (a cross collaboration between London Metropolitan SU and Greenwich SU)
How has the person, event, group or initiative impactful?
The Society Showdown was an initiative that stemmed from a cross-collaborative effort between London Metropolitan Students' Union and Greenwich Students' Union, with the aim to bring together a diverse range of societies from both campuses through fun and interactive games and activities. The event included a wide range of challenges, such as cooking and debating, which provided an opportunity to participants to practice leadership and team building/bonding exercises, as well as the opportunity to network and socialise with other students and societies from each other's universities.
What is special about this nominee?
This initiative is a first of its kind which encourages more cross-collaboration between societies from different Students' Unions, with the potential to start a movement of building student communities off-campus to their respective institutions.