I’ve been a judge for each of the awards and chaired the judging panel on this occasion; it’s been a fascinating and enjoyable experience and certainly makes one think again about what makes a project valuable to others. But we’re concerned that the awards might not be having the impact that they could be, and that we need to do something to change the type of entry we receive – as well as thinking about how we publicise the event and our association with it. The DPC has established a working group to look at a number of these issues, and I’m interested in views from the wider world – particularly from those outside the DPC itself – about the awards, their relevance to you and your work, and what might encourage you to submit an entry.

Have you considered submitting an entry ? What held you back ? What do you think of the entries that have been shortlisted in the past ? One contributor has suggested that the final judging process (in which each entrant does a 25 minute presentation, followed by about 25 minutes of questions from the judges) should be held in public, instead of in private as it is at present. What do you think of that idea ?

As well as using the comment facility on this blog to share your thoughts, you’re welcome to email me (K.Ashley@ulcc.ac.uk) if you would rather not share your thoughts with the rest of the world.