Award Categories and Descriptions

Categories Description Nominations with Supporting Rationale Politician of the Year This is an award for domestic politicians who have made a significant impact in 2015-16. Any person elected for political office in the UK can be considered. Parliamentarian of the Year This is an award for domestic politicians. The said politician should have made a particular contribution as a parliamentarian (in either the UK Parliament or devolved institutions) over a sustained period. This might be in their role as a representative, member of the frontbenches, backbenches, or a parliamentary body (e.g. select committee chair), in their relations with constituents and/or the public more widely. Lifetime Achievement in Politics This is an award for domestic politicians. Any person elected for political office in the UK can be considered. Democratic Innovation This is an award for an individual politician or group of politicians who have been responsible for developing specific processes or initiatives to widen engagement in political decision-making in the UK. This might be engagement within existing institutions or through the creation of new institutions and processes and can be at any level of government in the UK. Best Use of Evidence This is an award for an individual who has made and defended a policy decision or decisions on the basis of clear attention to what the body of evidence suggests is the appropriate course of action and not simply to the course of action suggested by political expediency. Influencing Government/Shaping This is an award for an individual the Agenda or a group who developed or helped to introduce innovative and successful policies at a local/ national/UK/EU level or positively led or helped to inform the debate on a particular issue, including opening areas of public life to greater scrutiny and political accountability. Best Campaign/Campaigner This is an award for an individual or group of individuals who have been instrumental in developing an effective campaign at a local or national level. Best European Union This is an award for an individual Referendum or a group who have been Campaign/Campaigner instrumental in developing an effective EU Referendum campaign at a local or national level. Radical of the Year This is an award for a politician in recognition of their independence of mind or bringing fresh impetus and challenging the conventions of mainstream party politics. Best Use of Social Media This is an award for an individual politician who has made a meaningful impact via social media platforms (such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube) to engage with the public over a sustained period.

Media Awards

Categories Description Nominations with Supporting Rationale Journalist/Broadcaster of the Year This is an award made to an individual journalist/broadcaster making a significant contribution to politics over a sustained period. Their area of specialism is open, and importantly may be beyond parliamentary politics. Enlightening the Public This is an award made to an individual journalist/broadcaster who has made a significant contribution to public understanding of politics over a sustained period. Contribution to the Arts and This is an award for an Culture outstanding contribution to arts and culture over a sustained period. This category is broadly defined and might include political contributions and impact upon political comedy/satire, radio and TV programmes, film, theatre, literature and music. Political Image of the Year This is an award for a photographer/photojournalist that has captured an issue, event or individual(s) in a skilful and visually powerful, evocative or humorous way.

Academic Awards

Categories Description Nominations with Supporting Rationale Special Recognition Award(s) Up to 2 special recognition awards for academics who have demonstrated an established contribution to political studies over their career. Research, teaching, public engagement and service to the profession may all be recognised by this award. Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize for Lifetime This annual award is for those Contribution to Political Studies who can demonstrate a lifetime contribution to the study and understanding of politics. Political Studies Open to academics (either British Communicator/Public or non-British academics working Understanding of Politics in the UK) who can demonstrate an excellence in dissemination of political ideas to the public. This might be through the media, or through open lectures/seminars, policy pamphlets etc. Innovation in Teaching Politics This award is for an academic, or group of academics, who have fired the interest of students in political studies through the use of innovative methods of teaching and learning.