The Alumni Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our alumni around the world and showcase the value and impact of their ENU education.    
Keep reading to learn more about the categories and nomination process. 
Please contact the Alumni Team if you have any questions about the Alumni Awards. 

Envelope icon on blue background

Categories

Alumni Awards written in white letters contained in a black box, against a red patterned background Edinburgh Napier alumni are out in the world making a real difference in their communities every day. The University seeks to formally recognise these individuals who are role models for our current students and an inspiration to the entire ENU community. 

There are three categories: 

  • Excellence Award

  • Impact Award

  • Rising Star Award

 

Excellence Award

The Excellence Award provides us with the opportunity to celebrate the professional achievements of ENU alumni. The award honours the outstanding and significant contributions alumni are making to further their industries. 

Multiple winners will be selected by the awards panel. Last year's winners were: 

  • Jill Douglas, Journalism NCTJ 1988, Sports broadcaster. Read more. 
  • Gill Duncan, MSc International Events & Festival Management 2011, Festival director, Read more. 
  • Graeme Jones, BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science 2005, Sporting Director, Heart of Midlothian Football Club. Read more. 
  • Harry McLaren, BEng (Hons) Computer Security and Forensics 2014, Head of Security Engineering, Tesco. Read more. 
     

Impact Award 

The Impact Award recognises an alumnus who is making a difference in their community. 

Edinburgh Napier alumni are behind so many extraordinary things you see happening every single day. This award honours those who are making an impact through their voluntary, charitable or professional activities. 

The Award Panel will choose one winner. Last year’s winner was: 

  • Zander Murray, BA (Hons) Festival and Event Management 2015 and PG Diploma Career Guidance and Development 2016; Former Pro Footballer and LGBT+ Ambassador. Read more.  

Rising Star Award

This category pays tribute to the achievements of a recent graduate who has achieved success in the immediate years following the completion of their studies. Success can be defined as professional achievements or volunteer contributions. 

The winner of the Rising Star Award will be someone who Edinburgh Napier has identified as ‘one to watch’. 

Candidates must have graduated between 2019 – 2024 (inclusive). One winner will be chosen by the Award Panel. Last year’s winner was: 

  • Larissa Engelmann, BA (Hons) Criminology 2016, MSc Applied Criminology and Forensic Psychology 2017, PhD Criminology 2023, Criminologist. Read more. 

 

Who is eligible? 

  • All nominees must be alumni of Â鶹ÉçÇø. Nominees may have gained a degree or qualification from Â鶹ÉçÇø, or any of its antecedent institutions and at any Edinburgh Napier study location around the world.

  • Self-nominations will not be accepted.

  • Previous winners of a particular award category are not eligible for reconsideration in the same category.

  • Nominees must be living at the time of their nomination.

  • Groups of alumni will be considered for nomination.

 

Additional information 

  • The submission deadline is 11:59pm on Monday 31 March 2025. All completed nominations received via the online nomination form before this deadline will be considered.

  • Â鶹ÉçÇø alumni, staff and students can nominate alumni for an award. 

  • You can submit multiple nominations; however, all must be submitted separately.

  • All nominations will be treated confidentially.

 

Schedule

Monday 31 March: Deadline for nominations. A shortlisting panel will review all nominations received before the deadline and will present a shortlist to the award panel.  

April: All shortlisted candidates will be contacted to confirm they accept the nomination.

Late spring: Award panel to meet to select Excellence, Impact and Rising Star Award winners. The panel will be chaired by Geoffrey H. Day, Director of Marketing and External Relations and Honorary Graduate.

Autumn: Winners to be announced. 

November: A celebration event will take place.

Learn more about past winners!

The Alumni Awards recognise an individual or a group of alumni who have shown excellence and distinction in their personal and/or professional lives and who have made a positive contribution to the University, their community and profession.