Revealed: Winners of the Youth STEM Matters Volunteer Awards
Our Youth STEM Matters Volunteer Awards recognise the achievements of the 70+ youth who lead our global youth scientific journal - and flagship project - Youth STEM Matters.
From a shortlist of 33 volunteers, 6 teams, and 8 Volunteer of the Year nominees, Editor-In-Chief, Adam Khan-Qureshi & Founder & CEO, Mhairi McCann had the challenge of selecting each of the category winners, which were revealed in our Awards Ceremony at the Youth STEM Matters Research Conference. Congratulations to our winners!
Extra Mile Award
Winner - Elizabeth Bourn
Awarded in recognition of consistently going over and above what their role asks of them in their contributions to Youth STEM Matters.
Shortlisted:
Éimear Stephenson
Kimberly Anindo
Lily Tierney
Leader Award
Winner - Megan Ardis
Awarded in recognition of exceptional leadership - in the broadest possible sense - at Youth STEM Matters.
Anne-Rosa Bilal
Elizabeth Bourn
Tashinga Mutemachani & Louise Robertson
Inspiration Award
Winner - Josh Heng
Winner - Laura Maisvoreva
Awarded in recognition of the volunteer who most impresses the rest of the Volunteer Team with their attitude and skills.
Shortlisted:
Nina Khera
Tashinga Mutemachani & Louise Robertson
Mentor Award
Winner - Poppy Bradley & Kerena Norris
Awarded in recognition of a volunteer who has taken time to help others, and pass on their knowledge/skills. They can have done this in any format, whether 1-1 advice, group sessions, training or through helping others on Slack.
Shortlisted:
Alexander Kitchen
Katie Molyneux
Growth Award
Winner - Waheed Amanjee
Awarded in recognition of a volunteer who has grown during their time on the Youth STEM Matters Volunteer Team. Both personal growth and growth in skills are equally valid nomination reasons for this award.
Shortlisted:
Connie Siu
Louise Robertson
Lucy Mbochi
Changemaker of the Year Award
Winner - Alexander Kitchen
Awarded in recognition of a volunteer who has driven positive change within the Youth STEM Matters Volunteer Team. The change can be big or small, but through their efforts, the experience of authors and/or volunteers and/or readers has been enhanced.
Shortlisted:
Connie Siu
Megan Ardis
Unsung Hero
Winner - Zainab Khan
Awarded in recognition of a volunteer who has made a valuable contribution to the team, but may not previously have been recognised for their efforts. This award is the chance to make sure they get the recognition they deserve!
Shortlisted:
Aditi Kona
Kiera McCabe
Youth STEM Matters Champion
Winner - Éimear Stephenson
Awarded in recognition of a volunteer who has made a substantial outreach contribution to Youth STEM Matters. They have embodied the journal's ethos and championed Youth STEM Matters. This recognition can be for any medium of outreach, including social media, events/talks, outreach to schools/organisations, and local outreach.
Shortlisted:
Josué Solórzano
Laura Maisvoreva
Poppy Bradley
Community Award
Winner - Poppy Bradley
Awarded in recognition of a volunteer who has made an excellent contribution to the Youth STEM Matters Volunteer Team community. They play a key role in the team by driving forward the Youth STEM Matters community spirit.
Shortlisted:
Kerena Norris
Lucy Mbochi + Aayush Shrestha
Moses Joy (Marigold) Onohoomhen
Team of the Year
Winner - Copy-Editing Team [2021 Training Complete] - Abbie Fitzsimmons, Aditi Kona, Anna Zhang, Julia Gardiner, Katie Molyneux, Kimberly Anindo, Maria Theresa Villatoro, Olivia Johnson.
Awarded in recognition of a team within the journal who have made an exceptional collective contribution to Youth STEM Matters. The team may be a group who have worked together year-round, or a group of volunteers who came together over a shorter time period to work on a specific project.
Shortlisted:
January 2021 Interview & Applications Team - Aayush Shrestha, Alexander Kitchen, Aditi Kona, Anne-Rosa Bilal, Connie Siu, Éimear Stephenson, Katie Molyneux, Kerena Norris, Lucy Mbochi, Megan Ardis, Poppy Bradley.
Poppy Bradley & Kerena Norris
Research Conference Organisers - Abbie Fitzsimmons, Anne-Rosa Bilal, Josh Heng & Ruvarashe Nyabando.
Rosalind Franklin Project Team - Aditi Kona, Laura Maisvoreva, Louise Robertson, Megan Ardis, Nina Khera, Pratyusha Mandal, Tashinga Mutemachani, Roberto Parisi, Victoria Dobvu, Zainab Khan.
Senior Science Communication Team - Éimear Stephenson, Elizabeth Bourn, Megan Ardis.
Volunteer of the Year
Winner - Anne-Rosa Bilal
In recognition of an exceptional Volunteer Team member, who has embodied the Youth STEM Matters ethos, and made an outstanding contribution to the journal, as voted for by the Youth STEM Matters Volunteer Team.
Shortlist:
Alexander Kitchen
Elizabeth Bourn
Kavina Uthayakumaran
Kerena Norris
Laura Maisvoreva
Megan Ardis
Zainab Khan
Congratulations to all of the winners and shortlistees on your achievements!
