BSG Team Award

Purpose of the Award

The British Society of Gerontology Team Award recognises groups, teams, charities, companies, community organisations, research partnerships, practice networks, policy collaborations, or other collectives whose work has made a demonstrable contribution to ageing and later life.

The award celebrates collective work that has improved the lives of older adults, advanced ageing-related research, influenced policy or practice, supported public understanding, developed inclusive partnerships or strengthened communities connected to ageing and later life.

The award recognises that important work in ageing is often collaborative. It may involve researchers, practitioners, older people, community partners, voluntary organisations, policymakers, educators, campaigners, carers, or cross-sector partnerships. The award is intended to highlight the value of collective endeavour and to increase the visibility of work that makes a meaningful difference in the field of ageing.

Eligibility

Nominations are open to groups, teams, organisations, partnerships, networks, projects, or other collectives whose work is clearly connected to later life and social gerontology.

Eligible nominees may include, but are not limited to:

• research teams;
• charities or voluntary organisations;
• community organisations;
• companies/businesses
• practice-based teams;
• policy or advocacy groups;
• interdisciplinary or cross-sector partnerships;
• public engagement initiatives;
• educational or knowledge exchange projects;
• collaborations involving older adults, carers, practitioners, researchers, or policymakers.

The nominated team or collective does not need to be based solely in academia. Nominations from community, voluntary, public, private, policy, practice, and cross-sector settings are encouraged.

At least one named lead contact should be identified for the nomination. Where possible, the nomination should also identify the key individuals, organisations, or partners involved in the work during the period being recognised.

The award should be clearly dated, for example BSG Team Award 2026, to recognise the team, partnership, or collective as constituted at the time of the award. This is important because teams, projects, and organisations may change over time. The award recognises the contribution made by the collective during the relevant period, while acknowledging that membership, leadership, staffing, or organisational arrangements may subsequently change.

Previous winners of the Team Award are not normally eligible to be nominated again for the same body of work, although they may be considered for substantially new or different activity in a future year.

Nomination Requirements 

Nominations should include:

1. A nomination statement of no more than 1,000 words explaining why the team, organisation, partnership, or collective should receive the award. This should cover:

• A description of the team or collective, including its purpose, key partners, relevant activities, and the period of work being recognised.
• Evidence of impact or contribution, showing how the work has improved the lives of older adults or advanced ageing-related research, practice, policy, education, public engagement, or public understanding.
• Evidence of partnership or collaboration, including how different individuals, groups, disciplines, sectors, communities, or organisations have worked together.
• Evidence of the involvement, participation, or influence of older people, where relevant, including how older adults’ voices, experiences, needs, or priorities have shaped the work.
• Evidence of sustainability, legacy, or wider influence, such as changes to practice, policy, service delivery, research agendas, public debate, community capacity, networks, resources, or future activity.

Nominations should make clear whether the award is being sought for a specific project, a programme of work, an organisation, a partnership, or a wider collective contribution.

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.