Research Heroes was launched in 2020 to celebrate individuals who have given exceptional service to the sector or for their colleagues or stakeholders.

To be considered, nominees must work in research, insight or analytics, including support and operations roles.

In other criteria, they must have done one or more of the following: have contributed during 2024/25 to make a difference in research, or to support colleagues and co-workers or the community; given consistent service to the sector for which they cannot be recognised with a professional award; or have forwarded the cause of research, or the campaigns that are most important to the sector such as quality, diversity and sustainability. 

Successful nominees must receive 80% of approval from responding judges. On the judging panel this year are Shazia Ali, Hayley Ward, Louise Sharpe, Marie Robelin, James Turner, Lydia Fuller, Paul Child, Adam Goddard, Nick Meagher and Georgie White.

To nominate, send an email to info@mrs.org.uk with the name, job title, email address (if known) and organisation of the person being nominated, and a maximum 200-word description of the reasons for the nomination. No organisation should send in more than three employee nominations.

The nomination period for 2025 closes on 7th May, with the winners announced on Research Live on 7th July.

Jane Frost, chief executive at MRS, said: “We all need to say thank you more and celebrate more. There are no limits to the Research Heroes scheme – all the research heroes are receiving a big thank you from their colleagues via this award.

“Congratulations to all of them for inspiring the nominations and a personal thank you for all you have done.”

• For more details, visit the MRS website.