BSG Mentoring Award

Purpose of the Award

The British Society of Gerontology Mentorship Award recognises individuals who have made a sustained and meaningful contribution to supporting, developing and enabling others working in ageing-related research, practice, policy, education or public engagement.

The award celebrates the often less visible forms of academic, professional and community leadership that help others to flourish. This may include supporting early-career researchers, practitioners, students, colleagues, community partners, policy professionals, or others working in fields connected to ageing and later life.

The award recognises mentorship in its broadest sense. It is not limited to formal supervisory or line-management relationships. It may include informal guidance, advocacy, encouragement, intellectual support, career advice, sponsorship, peer support, practical help, opening up opportunities, creating inclusive spaces or helping others to build confidence, networks, and capacity.

The award is intended to honour individuals whose generosity, care and commitment have strengthened the social gerontology community and contributed to the development of people, ideas, networks, and practice.

Eligibility

Nominees should be individuals who have made a sustained contribution to mentoring, supporting, and enabling others in ageing-related research, practice, policy, education, public engagement or community work.

Nominees may work in universities, research institutes, policy organisations, charities, public bodies, professional practice, community organisations or other settings connected to ageing and later life.

Nominees should normally have a demonstrable connection to the BSG, social gerontology, or the wider ageing-related community.

Previous winners of the Mentorship Award are not eligible to be nominated again for the same award.

Nomination Requirements 

Nominations should include:

1. A nomination statement of no more than 1,000 words explaining why the nominee should receive the award. This should cover:

• A clear narrative account of the nominee’s mentorship, including how they have supported, developed, enabled, encouraged, or advocated for others.
• Evidence of the effect of the nominee’s mentorship on the nominator(s) and, where relevant, on other individuals, groups, networks, or communities.
• Examples of sustained contribution, which may include formal or informal mentoring, supervision, peer support, sponsorship, advocacy, network-building, support for early-career colleagues, support for practitioners or community partners, or contributions to inclusive professional cultures.

The BSG recognises that mentorship is not always easily captured through formal outputs, metrics, or conventional measures of achievement. Nominations should therefore be assessed primarily through the quality, specificity, and credibility of the narrative account provided.

How to Nominate 

Nominees do not have to be a member of the BSG. 

Nominations require 2 nominators, at least one of whom must be a member of the BSG.

The consent of any nominees should be sought before nominations are submitted. Those nominating should please submit:

• A statement in support of the nomination of no more than 1000 words. The statement should clearly highlight the outstanding contribution to our gerontological understanding of ageing or to improving the lives of older people. The nomination may be for a one-time outstanding achievement or for a body of work over time.

The Judging Panel includes the current BSG Executive Committee. 

The BSG will continue to accept nominations throughout the year. The panel will make its decision during May, with the award winner and nominator being informed before the end of May. Other nominees will also be informed at that time.

The award will be presented during the opening ceremony of the Society’s annual conference.

Please note, the BSG reserves the right not to make an award in any given year. The judges’ decision is final and no communications about the decision will be entered into.

Please complete the following online form to nominate. 

If you have any questions, then please do contact the BSG Secretariat on info@britishgerontology.org.