SEPnet was delighted to recognise six exceptional students with SEPnet Student Ambassador Awards at a special presentation held at International Students House, London, on 8 July 2026, ahead of the 9th Joint SEPnet and WRIPA Employability Workshop. The awards celebrate students who have made outstanding contributions to promoting physics, supporting outreach and employability activities, and advancing SEPnet's mission to improve access to physics for all.
The awards were presented by Professor Sir William Wakeham, Chair of SEPnet, who congratulated each recipient and thanked them for the vital role they play in inspiring future physicists and supporting SEPnet's outreach and employability activities. Each award winner received a certificate, a £25 gift voucher and a SEPnet digital badge in recognition of their achievements.
Student ambassadors are at the heart of many SEPnet activities. From working with schools and supporting public engagement events to sharing careers advice and helping fellow students develop their employability skills, ambassadors make a valuable contribution to the physics community and help ensure that physics is accessible, inclusive and inspiring for future generations.
Meet the Award Winners
Abigail – University of Portsmouth
Abigail was recognised for her exceptional contribution to the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation's outreach programme over the past four years. Described in her nomination as"a true role model for new ambassadors", Abigail has become an integral member of the outreach team and is known for her reliability, professionalism and enthusiasm.
Her nomination highlighted her commitment to supporting local schools and public engagement activities, as well as her role in helping to develop, trial and evaluate new outreach activities. Colleagues praised her willingness to take on increasing responsibility and her passion for sharing physics with audiences of all ages.
Khubaib – Queen Mary, University of London
Khubaib was recognised for his exceptional enthusiasm, professionalism and commitment to a wide range of SEPnet outreach activities. He has supported Physics Taster Days, Lego Physics workshops, SEPnet careers events, Tactile Universe activities, PRiSE projects and Big Bang Fairs, consistently representing SEPnet with energy and dedication.
His nomination praised his engaging and approachable communication style, noting that his passion for physics inspires young people and supports SEPnet's outreach mission. He was also recognised for supporting newer ambassadors and helping to create a positive and collaborative team environment.
Michelene – Royal Holloway, University of London
Michelene received her award in recognition of her outstanding commitment to employability and outreach activities across SEPnet. Her nomination described her as a cornerstone of many SEPnet initiatives, consistently demonstrating professionalism, reliability and enthusiasm whether representing SEPnet at careers fairs, school workshops or employability events.
Michelene has made a particularly significant contribution to promoting employability among physics students. She has participated in every alumni panel event organised by SEPnet and has taken the initiative to interview, record and publish alumni talks, helping students better understand the wide range of careers available to physics graduates. Her ability to engage both students and employers, combined with her commitment to continuous development, makes her a valued ambassador and role model.
Rishika – University of Hertfordshire
Rishika was recognised for her leadership, enthusiasm and commitment to supporting the student community at the University of Hertfordshire. As School Community Officer, she has worked closely with academics and students to enhance the student experience and ensure student voices are heard.
Her nomination highlighted her role as Chair of the PAM Society, where she successfully expanded membership across the wider school community. Despite undertaking an industrial placement with Pfizer, she has remained actively engaged with staff and students and has participated in placement panels to encourage other students to pursue similar opportunities. Her initiative, professionalism and personal growth over the past three years were particularly commended.
Vansh – University of Hertfordshire
Vansh was recognised for his exceptional and sustained contribution to physics outreach throughout the 2025–26 academic year. His nomination highlighted his professionalism, reliability and enthusiasm across a wide range of public engagement, school outreach and widening participation activities.
A key achievement was his involvement in the Moon Palace Mobile Observatory project, where he helped audiences explore astronomy through telescopes, radio astronomy and immersive public engagement activities. He has also been a regular contributor to Bayfordbury Open Evenings, delivered astronomy and cosmology talks to public audiences, supported planetarium shows and worked as a Levelling Up Physics tutor. Throughout these activities, Vansh has demonstrated an impressive ability to communicate complex ideas in an engaging and accessible way.
Zunaira – Royal Holloway, University of London
Zunaira was recognised for her outstanding commitment to outreach, employability and student engagement activities. Her nomination described her as a highly reliable and professional ambassador who consistently embodies SEPnet's values when working with schools, students, employers and the wider public.
Throughout her time at Royal Holloway, Zunaira has generously shared her experiences of the application process and her SEPnet placement, delivering talks to students across all year groups and volunteering at activities hosted by other SEPnet universities. She has been a valued contributor to alumni events, where her guidance, enthusiasm and ability to connect with students have helped inspire others to make the most of the opportunities available to them.
Recognising Excellence in Student Support
The awards presentation also provided an opportunity to recognise a colleague whose commitment to student development has had a significant impact across the SEPnet community. Jana Checkley from Royal Holloway, University of London was presented with an award by Professor Sir William Wakeham in recognition of her exceptional work inspiring, supporting and engaging students.
Through her dedication to student development and her contribution to employability and engagement activities, Jana has helped students build confidence, explore opportunities and make the most of their time at university. Her commitment to student success exemplifies the collaborative ethos that underpins SEPnet's work across the network.
Recognising Outstanding Contributions
The SEPnet Student Ambassador Awards highlight the important role students play in supporting outreach, widening participation and employability activities across the SEPnet network. Their enthusiasm, creativity and dedication help inspire the next generation of physicists, support their fellow students and strengthen the connections between universities, schools, employers and local communities.
SEPnet would like to congratulate Abigail, Khubaib, Michelene, Rishika, Vansh and Zunaira, as well as Jana Checkley, on their well-deserved recognition. Their dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to supporting students and promoting physics reflect the very best of the SEPnet community. We thank them for their valuable contributions and wish them every success in the future.
