Three Biology academics win MPLS Outstanding Research Supervision Awards 2025

We are delighted that Katrina Davis, Darragh Hare, and Rachel Tanner have been recognised at this year's Outstanding Research Supervision Awards, run by Oxford’s Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences Division. The scheme celebrates colleagues who demonstrate excellent leadership by nurturing and supporting research colleagues in their role as DPhil supervisors or research group leaders.

Professor Katrina Davis

Katrina is known for her commitment to skill sharing and knowledge transfer. She runs weekly workshops on academic writing and demographic modelling and maintains a library of books on various subjects. One nomination notes that "Katrina is excellent at sharing her skills and knowledge to the benefit of her group and also encourages her students to do the same." She also recommends online courses and resources, ensuring her students have access to the best tools for their development.

Her ability to create a positive and inclusive working culture is another key strength. Katrina is described as "friendly and approachable," making students feel valued both as academics and individuals. She celebrates students' birthdays and achievements with cake and organises social events like punting and picnics. One nomination notes, "Katrina helps to foster a very friendly group dynamic so that lab group meetings feel like meetings of friends as well as of colleagues."

Katrina's focus on student wellbeing is evident in her regular check-ins with students, especially those struggling, and her approachability. She ensures students can take time off for illness or personal difficulties. One nominator states, "she checks in frequently with students she knows are struggling and makes herself approachable to students experiencing difficulties."

Finally, Katrina's career support is invaluable. She circulates details of relevant talks, workshops, and papers, and encourages students to apply for awards and grants. She offers career advice and helps students gain career-advancing opportunities. One nominator mentions, "Katrina has been instrumental in enabling me to pursue a career in Academia."

Dr Darragh Hare

One of Darragh’s strongest assets is his ability to tailor his mentorship to each student's learning style and goals, providing hands-on training in technical skills and academic writing. As one nominator noted, "Darragh goes above and beyond in helping each member of the research group enhance their skills" by encouraging junior members to lead research projects. They also benefit from his well-crafted, thoughtful, and constructive feedback.

Darragh's commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment is another key strength. He ensures that all voices in the group are amplified by facilitating open discussions while respecting individual perspectives. This has made the team more cohesive and innovative, particularly in the controversial areas of wildlife conservation research they work in.

Beyond academic support, Darragh is dedicated to the well-being of his group members. He regularly checks in to ensure no one is overwhelmed and promotes a healthy work-life balance. One nominator shared a personal experience: "Prior to travelling overseas for my first research trip to Zimbabwe, Darragh took a day out of his weekend to drive us to various outdoor stores to make sure I had all the equipment I needed."

Darragh's comprehensive approach to supervision extends to networking and advocating for his students. He connects them with international researchers and industry leaders and even invites them to speak at conferences in his place. His dedication to securing funding and resources for students' projects further demonstrates his commitment to their success.

Professor Rachel Tanner

Rachel is highly regarded for her ability to recognise and nurture the unique strengths and working styles of her team members. One nominator highlighted, "Rachel values diverse personalities and she has a unique ability to recognise every individual’s comfortable working style, strengths, and weaknesses." This personalised approach has enabled her team members to develop their skills effectively. Another nominator noted that Rachel’s “supervisory approach perfectly balanced structure and independence, which helped me grow as a researcher."

Creating a positive and inclusive working environment is another of Rachel’s key strengths. She is described as approachable and responsive, fostering a collaborative atmosphere where everyone's opinions are valued. "Rachel welcomes every individual’s opinion. She is approachable, responds to communication promptly and is always willing to listen," one nominator stated. This inclusive culture has helped her team members feel supported and respected, contributing to their overall productivity and well-being.

Her commitment to her team's professional and personal development is evident in her willingness to go above and beyond her supervisory duties. She not only provides guidance and training but also actively participates in lab work during busy periods. One nominator shared, "She was able to drop everything else she had to do in the office and she joined me in the lab for the entire week to help in sample processing." This level of dedication and support has made a significant impact on her team's success.

See the full list of winners: https://www.mpls.ox.ac.uk/latest/news/winners-of-the-2024-25-mpls-awards-for-outstanding-research-supervision-announced