Past Winners

Established in 2008 these prestigious awards honour those special people who are making a significant contribution to Information Literacy within any sector.

• Information Literacy Award
• Digital Award for Information Literacy
• Student Sponsored Places

Information Literacy Award Winners

The Information Literacy Award recognises an outstanding UK-based IL practitioner or researcher.

The winners in 2024 were

• The Data Education in Schools team, Edinburgh University, for the Data Education in Schools programme Learning with Data - Data Education in Schools
• The Digital Learning Practice Team -Teaching, Learning & Employability exchange, University of the Arts London, for the 12 Days of AI online learning programme

Our judges commented:

"We chose Data Education in Schools, Edinburgh University due to its significant contribution to the field. By starting data education early, and implementing it effectively in schools, the Data Education in Schools’ team has contributed towards excellent progress for the field, focusing on the intersections between data literacy and information literacy. The submission included extensive evidence of external engagement, excellent practice and impact, addressing information literacy support for young people to be aware of their data rights and responsibilities and to use and interpret data critically and ethically. And if this wasn’t enough, the team has also been responsible for creating over 500 new, British Sign Language gestures".

"The University of the Arts London team presented innovative work with a very topical and timely direction on AI. AI is a significant focus within information literacy at the moment, and there is a growing need to understand both the risks and the opportunities created in a fast-changing AI enabled information environment. As part of this project, the teaching learning and employability exchange team worked to significantly support understanding within the sector by means of organising live events, creating curated webinars and pen resources on using AI tools. This work enhanced understanding of how to use and evaluate various AI tools. It has also been impactful within the HE sector, allowing a stronger understanding of AI and Information Literacy to develop".

Other shortlisted nominees were:

• The Academic Engagement Team at Aberystwyth University for the AberSkills: new online bilingual hub and Blackboard module to help support students thrive in their academic life
• The University of Southampton Library Curriculum Engagement team and Alison Ormesher, Learning Designer, for the Learning Paths and DigiSkills Metro Map
• The Academic Librarian Team at the University of Derby for Develop with Derby an open, free-to-access online skills hub
• Sarah Wolfenden, Senior Lecturer- Academic development (Education) University of Brunel, for raising the profile of information literacy amongst new academic staff at one institution in the UK Higher Education sector
• Lucas Maxwell, High School Librarian at Glenthorne High School, for innovative  approaches to teaching information literacy Glenthorne High School Library
• The Business Librarians at School of Management Library, Cranfield University, for recent developments to eRAP plagiarism e-learning package
• Dr. Janice Fernandes, Academic Support Manager, University of West London, and Subject Librarian at London College of Music, for innovative approaches to teaching information literacy

The awards have been judged by:

• Ella Wharton, University of Nottingham
• Elizabeth Newell, JISC
• Dr. Konstantina Martzoukou, Robert Gordon University.

Previous winners:

• 2023 - Louise Speakman (Lancaster University)
• 2022 - Alison Horner Le Riche and Barbara Moye and their teams (Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust & Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)
• 2020 - Clare McCluskey-Dean (York St John University)
• 2019 - Open University Library's Live Engagement Team
• 2018 - Emily Hurt (Clinical Librarian, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)
• 2017 - Helen Howard (Leeds University Library). The runner-up was Jo Parker (Open University).
• 2016 - Yin Min Tun (University of Manchester). The runner-up was Elizabeth Hutchinson (Guille-Alles Library, St Peter Port).
• 2015 - Katharine Reedy (Open University). The runner-up was Sarah George (University of Bradford).
• 2014 - Dr Jane Secker (London School of Economics and Political Science). The runner-up was Nazlin Bhimani (Institute of Education, University of London).
• 2013 - Kim McGowan (University of Cumbria). The runner-up was Michelle Schneider (University of Leeds). 
• 2012 - Andrew Walsh (University of Huddersfield). The runner-up was Judy Atkinson (Royal College of Nursing).
• 2011 - Duncan Chappell (Glasgow School of Art). The runner-up was Sonja Haerkoenen (Cardiff University).
• 2010 - Anthony Beal (Formerly West Cheshire College).
• 2009 - Ronan O'Beirne (Bradford College).
• 2008 - Nigel Morgan (Cardiff University).

Digital Award of Information Literacy Winners

The Digital Award for Information Literacy rewards an innovative/high impact digital resource developed by a UK-based individual or group.

Previous winners:

• 2020 - Step Up to Masters (Jiani Liu, Dan Pullinger, Sunny Dhillon, Angela Newton, Paul Cave, Laura Fitch at the University of Leeds)
• 2019 - Newcastle University Library's Online Learning Resources (Terry Charlton, Newcastle University)
• 2018 - LEAP Online (Mary Barden, Dawn Grundy, Graeme Prescott & Emily McIntosh, University of Bolton).
• 2017 - 23 Things for Digital Knowledge (Stephanie (Charlie) Farley, Open Education Resources Advisor, University of Edinburgh).
• 2016 -  Study Skills for 6th Form (Sara Bird, Stephen Harding and Gillian Johnston, Newcastle University Library).
• 2015 - The Twelve Apps of Christmas (Andy Horton & Chris Rowell, Regent's University London).
• 2014 - Skills Hub (Georgina Dimmock, University of Northampton).
• 2013 - The Open University Library’s Digital and information literacy (DIL) framework & Being Digital site (Jo Parker, Katharine Reedy, Kirsty Baker, Natasha Huckle and Matthew Taylor).
• 2012 - Skills@Library Team (University of Leeds) for the Skills@Library lecturer pages. The runner-up was The runner-up was the CPD23 Project Team (University of Cambridge) for CPD23: 23 Things for Professional Development.

Student Sponsored Places

The Student Award provided a sponsored place at LILAC for two students registered on a UK study programme. This award (sponsored by the CILIP Information Literacy Group) consists of full conference registration, travel and accommodation expenses.

Previous winners:

• 2024 - Amelia Haire (University College London) and Sae Matsuno (University College London)
• 2023 - Yasmine Mulholland (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Lucy Dodge (University College London)
• 2020 - Kimberley Stansfield and Frances Marsh (University College London)
• 2019 - Hannah Slater and Gemma Pearce (University College London)
• 2018 - Lisa Gardner (Ulster University) and Bethany Sherwood (City, University of London)
• 2017 - Bethan Davies (Aberystwyth University) and Leanne Workman (Aberystwyth University).
• 2016 - Amy O'Donohoe (Robert Gordon University), Amy Rippon (City University, London) and Anna Theis (Manchester Metropolitan University).
• 2015 - Lucinda May (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Maria Nagle (University of Sheffield).
• 2014 - Penny Andrews (University of Sheffield) and Amanda Brennan (Robert Gordon University).
• 2013 - Darren Flynn (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Roisin Cassidy (University of Sheffield). 
• 2012 -Thasya Elliott (London Metropolitan University).
• 2011 - Matthew Harvey (Aberystwyth University).
• 2010 - Jo Alcock (Aberystwyth University).
• 2009 - in 2009 additional sponsorship meant that there were 7 places available, the winners were; Marion Funnell, Owen Coxall, Samantha Abrahams, Veronica Cunnigham, Katie Fraser, Su Fagg, and Susan Clayton.