BIGSPD operates five categories of awards to recognise and celebrate those contributing to the development of the field of “personality disorder”. The following awards will be voted on between February and March. The awards will then be presented to the individual or representative at the Annual Conference in June.
Award Categories include:
Early Career Researcher Award: This category is awarded to an individual whose scientific contribution as an Early Career Researcher is felt worthy of recognition. An early career researcher is someone who:
- Has had their doctoral viva not more than 5 years ago or does not have a PhD/ Doctorate.
- Has had a maximum of four years’ academic research experience following the completion of their PhD or be of equivalent professional standing.
Outstanding Impact Award: This award is available to an individual or group whose contribution is felt to go beyond what is an everyday expectation. This might be in recognition of a singular accomplishment, impact in the field of practice, and could include research / clinical leaders. It might also represent a longstanding or sustained dedication to their work.
Innovation Award: This award is available to recognise someone or a group whose work has either contributed to or realised a development of great significance. It may represent a particular contribution, or it may recognise a lengthy commitment to the development and establishment of good practice.
Tracey James Award: for relational practice, for someone who consistently goes above and beyond expectations to prioritise building safe, stable relationships as the foundation for their work. There is a real wish for this to be aimed at people not necessarily in leadership, research or medical roles, but more at Nurses, Health Care Assistants, OT’s and people with lived experience.
Team of the Year Award: This award is for individual teams who have created environments that align with the values of BIGSPD, for example, display excellence in co-production, service provisions, excellence in interventions and innovations within our field of practice.
The process for nominations:
- Only BIGSPD members can submit a nomination form.
- The nominator must seek consent from their nominee beforehand.
- Once BIGSPD has received all the nominations, the Executive Committee will vote to shortlist the nominations.
- Once a shortlist of nominees has been collected, the BIGSPD membership will be invited to vote.
- Successful candidates will be notified and invited to the conference to receive their award.
The nominee does not need to be a member of BIGSPD but should be resident in the UK or Ireland.
Current BIGSPD Executive Committee members are not eligible for an award.
Please complete the nomination form and return to bigspd@northernnetworking.co.uk by Wednesday, 4th February 2026.
