AiG Award categories

This award celebrates a person or team who has worked with other teams, departments, other professions, external organisations or researchers to produce a piece of analysis or analytical project.

A winning nomination will demonstrate strong evidence of as many of the following criteria as possible:

• working with stakeholders — this could be colleagues from other analytical professions, other teams in your department, other government departments, organisations outside government, topic and method experts, policy professionals, producers of related analysis, or international organisations and researchers 
• working with others to improve data, methods, use of tools and techniques, or other processes that have led to better analysis
• ways of working which have enabled effective collaboration between teams or organisations who do not always work together
• ways of working together that have enhanced insight and understanding of the findings of analysis 

This award celebrates those who have successfully used clear communications to present analysis, considering the needs of their audience. This could be an example of public-facing communication, or internal communication within teams, departments, or across professions. 

A winning nomination will demonstrate strong evidence of as many of the following criteria as possible:

• presenting analysis clearly and in a way that is meaningful to the audience
• ensuring accessibility is central to communicating the results of analysis 
• demonstrating that the needs of different types of users and potential users were considered when determining how the analysis should be communicated 
• using innovative methods of communicating and sharing analysis 

This award will recognise analysis which has made an impact through use, influenced decision-making or contributed to public debate. 

A winning nomination will demonstrate strong evidence of as many of the following criteria as possible:

• showing a link between the analysis undertaken and the positive impact — you should give evidence when making a nomination to show that the analysis influenced a policy decision, avoided risks, or improved operational outcomes
• explaining the nature and significance of the impact from the user’s point of view 
• demonstrating a pro-active approach in ensuring the analysis had an impact 
• developing new analysis to meet an identified knowledge or information gap 

Measurable, achieved impact will be considered more effective by the judges than anticipated or future ‘potential’ impact.

This award recognises individuals or teams who have made a sustained and meaningful contribution to making the Analysis Function more inclusive, both in how we work and in the analysis we produce. This could include work that supports under-represented communities, advances understanding of diversity and inclusion, or helps ensure our workforce and outputs better reflect the citizens we serve.

A winning nomination will demonstrate evidence of at least one of the following criteria:

• developing or producing outstanding analysis on diversity, inclusion, or any of the protected characteristics
• improving how we analyse, interpret, or communicate diversity and inclusion data
• acting as a role model and championing the development of colleagues from different backgrounds and perspectives
• bringing together diverse viewpoints across teams, departments, or the wider Analysis Function
• building an inclusive culture by challenging bias, barriers, or inequalities
• demonstrating a real and measurable positive impact through their work, interventions, or actions

This award recognises innovative methods or techniques of analysis. 

A winning nomination will demonstrate strong evidence of as many of the following criteria as possible:

• showing how innovative analytical methods and techniques were used to solve an urgent or important problem
• explaining how innovative methods led to a tangible improvement — such as new insight, answering complex questions, or improving efficiency
• demonstrating how strengths and limitations of the methods used were considered, communicated effectively to stakeholders, and mitigated
• obtaining feedback from peer reviewers, stakeholders, users, or experts and acting upon it to refine the innovative methods
• using innovative methods of artificial intelligence (AI), data linkage, quantum, machine learning, or other innovative technology or techniques

The winner of the Rising Star Award will be someone in the first five years of their career as a government analyst who has gone above and beyond what would be expected for an analyst of their experience, or made a difference through championing the importance of analysis.

Nominees for the Rising Star Award can be in grades up to and including Grade 7 and can be of any profession or age. 

A winning nomination will demonstrate strong evidence of as many of the following criteria as possible:

• showing the nominee’s potential to excel in their future career 
• evidencing the positive contributions the nominee has made which have exceeded expectations 
• demonstrating the nominee’s enthusiasm and passion for analysis 
• explaining the ways of working the nominee has used to inspire other government analysts 
• showcasing a holistic view of the nominee – this includes their work, relationships with others, and any other qualities that have helped them flourish