2020 Principal's Medal Winners

With the extraordinary events of 2020, the decision was made to increase the number of awards this year to enable the recognition of individuals, teams and departments from our University community who have played a critical role in how we have responded to the Covid-19 crisis.

The Principal’s Medal was first awarded in 2008 and is one of the most important ways in which the University recognises both professional services and academic colleagues or current students who have made outstanding contributions to both the University and wider communities and consistently demonstrated the University’s Values.

These awards are the highest bestowed upon students and staff in the University.

There was only one category this year: the Principal’s Medal for Exceptional Contribution.

A huge congratulations to the following individuals who have been recognised for their exceptional contribution in supporting and serving the University community and mission, and consistent demonstration of the University’s Values, particularly during the covid-19 pandemic.

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science

  • Mary Brennan – Business School
  • Adam Finkel-Gates – Business School
  • Ben Fletcher-Watson – IASH
  • Michael Newton – Music

College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

  • Lorna Aikman – Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility
  • Graham Nimmo and David Griffith – Clinical Sciences
  • Antoine Vallatos – Clinical Brain Sciences

College of Science and Engineering

  • Valentina Erastova – Chemistry
  • Fiona McNeill – Informatics
  • Chris Mowat and Michael Seery – Chemistry
  • Sophie Ramette – Geosciences
  • EPCC HPC Systems Team and EPCC User Support Team
  • Technology Enhanced Learning Strategic Management, Curriculum Development and Implementation Group members

Corporate Services

  • Michelle Christian – Accommodation
  • Cheryl Hutton – Residence Life (ACE)
  • Suzanne Thompson (Health and Safety)
  • Estates Department

Information Services

  • Lisa McDonald

University Secretary’s Group

  • Fiona Philippi – Institute of Academic Development

Cross University

  • Helen McMillan, Isabell Majewsky Anderson and Áine Ryan – Edinburgh Global and Edinburgh Research Office
  • Michael Gallagher and Stuart Nicol – Education and ISG
  • StopCovid Team – Centre for Inflammation Research

More information including a summary of the synopsis for each nomination can be found in the following PDF document:

This article was published on