Celebrating Excellence: The Fourth Analysis in Government Awards

Analysis continues to inform everything government does and so it is incredibly important to shine a light on the amazing work going on across the Analysis Function. It is with great excitement that we open nominations for the fourth annual Analysis in Government (AiG) Awards.

These prestigious awards, sponsored by esteemed leaders in the Analysis Function (AF) including the Head of the AF and National Statistician Sir Ian Diamond, give us the opportunity to applaud our colleagues and celebrate the exceptional work of analysts across the UK government. 

This launch page includes everything you need to know, including details of how to nominate, information on each category, plus the inside track on what judges will be looking for in each category and some tips on writing a winning entry. Recap and find inspiration by looking at the diverse range of work shortlisted for the awards last year. 

Submit your nominations today and be a part of this prestigious celebration of excellence in government analysis. 

Hear from previous winners

The AiG awards not only provide well-deserved recognition, but also inspire a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within the Analysis Function. 

But don’t just take our word for it! Catherine Hutchinson won the Professor Sir Ian Diamond Award for Excellence in 2022 and tells us how special it was to win, especially after eyeing up the competition! She told us, “it was a really special moment to win, you feel nervous as you know you have been nominated, and you see all the amazing other people across government that are in your category. The feeling when you win is amazing, as it’s such a lovely affirming surprise.” 

Since winning the award, Catherine has felt inspired in her work as it has “given me the confidence to know that I am making a difference”. Encouraging others to nominate, Catherine says that “lots of analysts in government don’t shout enough about the amazing work they do – and they should! If we don’t celebrate each other who will? Help someone see that what they have done is special, important, and worth acknowledging.”

Coming out on top in the Innovative Methods category, Helen Heard’s team won first place for their work on “Kitchen Life 2”, which uses motion-sensor cameras in domestic and business kitchens to observe real life behaviour. Helen and the team feel “so proud to win and to have our work recognised. Being short-listed and awaiting the final announcements created suspense and excitement for our whole team to share in. Accepting our award and giving a speech at the celebration event was a special moment in my career.” 

It’s onwards and upwards for the team as winning their AiG Award has given them the opportunity to celebrate their work across the department and wider, even getting an invite to present at Civil Service Live and other cross-government events. Helen told us, “nominating yourself, or your colleagues, for an award gives your work recognition, helps you to celebrate and feel proud of the work you deliver.”

Robyn O’Connor and Beth Holloway won the collaboration award for designing and analysing a multi-faceted call for evidence that directly shaped England’s first Women’s Health Strategy. Robyn and Beth created a team including analysis volunteers, data scientists and policy teams within their own department and across government, universities and external agencies. For them, winning the award felt “Completely unreal! It was such a lovely feeling to be recognised for our work, and to continue to shine a light on an important issue.” 

Winning the Communication award for their ‘Who lives in Scotland’ documentary, Esther Roughsedge spoke on behalf of the team; “Winning has been amazing! When the documentary went out, I wasn’t actually sure what people would think of it. Getting this endorsement has helped so much. It makes me smile every time I see my certificate! I’d really encourage anyone to nominate their colleagues who have done great work – it is such a wonderful thing to even just to be nominated for! It raises your profile and is a great way of showcasing [your] brilliant work.” 

How to nominate

It’s easy to nominate a team or individual for one of the awards. You can fill in our online form to submit your nomination. The deadline for nominations is midnight on Friday 27 October 2023. 

A Word version of the nomination form is available on GOV.UK if you would prefer to use this to submit, or simply draft and perfect your submission. 

Award categories

There are 6 award categories for the fourth annual AiG Awards.

Communication

This award celebrates those who have successfully used clear communications to present analysis, considering needs of the audience. This could be an example of public-facing or internal communication within teams, departments or across professions. Do you know someone who has demonstrated the story of data analysis using commentary, visualisations, “interactives”, or social media? If so, then submit a nomination for the Communication Award. 

A winning entry will demonstrate: 

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

Collaboration

Do you know a person or team who has collaborated between teams, departments, other professions, external organisations or researchers to produce a piece of analysis or analytical project, or know of others that have? Then why not submit a nomination form for the Collaboration Award? 

A winning entry will demonstrate: 

• collaboration which improved data and methods
• ways of working which enabled effective collaboration
• collaboration which enhanced insight and understanding of the findings of analysis 
• collaboration with stakeholders, such as 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 

Impact 

Has your colleague or team’s outstanding analysis helped influence a policy decision? Has it met an identified knowledge gap? This award will recognise analysis which has made an impact through use, influenced decision-making or contributed to public debate in the Impact Award category. 

A winning entry will demonstrate: 

• evidencing a link between the analysis undertaken and the positive impact — is there evidence to show that the analysis influenced a policy decision, avoided risks or improved operational outcomes? 
• the nature and significance of the impact from the users’ point of view 
• the nominated team were pro-active in ensuring the analysis has impact 
• new analysis being developed to meet an identified knowledge or information gap 

Inclusion 

This award recognises an outstanding contribution in making the Analysis Function a more inclusive Function that is reflective of the citizens we serve, or an outstanding contribution in producing analysis on diversity or inclusion. Do you know someone who has produced outstanding analysis on diversity or inclusion data? Nominate a person or team who consistently act as role models to champion the development of colleagues from different backgrounds, someone who uses their own experiences to bring unique viewpoints to their teams, departments, or the Function. Celebrate people who have built an inclusive culture by nominating them for the Inclusion Award. 

A winning entry will demonstrate: 

• developing or producing outstanding analysis on a diversity or inclusion subject matter 
• making improvements in the way we analyse and understand diversity and inclusion data
• acting as a role model and championing the development of colleagues from different backgrounds and perspectives 
• bringing together unique viewpoints from across their team, department, or the Analysis Function 
• building an inclusive culture by challenging inequalities, barriers, and bias to reflect a wider range of experience 
• demonstrating how a real and measurable positive impact has come about due to their interventions or actions 

Innovative methods 

This award recognises innovative methods or techniques of analysis. Have your colleagues or team used methods which led to new insight, answered complex questions, or improved efficiency? Nominate them for the Innovation Award to ensure their work is recognised and rewarded. 

A winning entry will demonstrate: 

• innovative analytical methods and techniques used
• methods which led to new insight, answered complex questions, or improved efficiency
• the strengths and limitations of the methods used were considered, and communicated effectively to users
• feedback from peer reviewers and experts was invited and acted upon to refine the methods
• this work may include innovative usage of data sharing, such as through the Integrated Data Service (IDS)

The Professor Sir Ian Diamond Rising Star Award 

This is an award that will recognise a person who has displayed excellence in championing or promoting the Analysis Function. The winner of The Professor Sir Ian Diamond Rising Star Award will be someone in the first 5 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 who has championed 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 entry will demonstrate:

• demonstration of the nominee’s potential to excel in their future career 
• positive contributions which have exceeded expectations 
• demonstration of enthusiasm, passion, and drive for analysis 
• ways of working that inspire the next generation of government analysts 
• take a holistic view of the nominee – their work, relationships with others, qualities that will help them flourish 

Tips for writing a great nomination

Use Plain English by writing in short, clear sentences and using everyday words without acronyms and unnecessary jargon. Remember that the judges may not be familiar with your topic area, so use simple language. 

Explain the Situation, Task, Action and Result of your work, also known as the “STAR” method. In particular judges really want you to showcase the impact of the nominee’s work. 

Be clear on the criteria and address each point of the award you are nominating for. These can be found in the nomination form. 

Include any appropriate links to your work to demonstrate any outputs you may want to showcase. 

Keep within the word count of 1,000 words. If you can make the evidence clear in less than 1,000 words, that is even better. 

Read our article on Writing a winning nomination for the AiG Awards for more great tips. 

When the winners will be announced

Nominations will be considered by our judging panel following the closing date on 27 October. The six highest scoring nominations will then be passed to an expert judging panel to decide on two highly commended nominations, one runner-up and one winner in each of the 6 categories. These winners will be announced on Awards Day which will take place in January 2024. 

If you are part of the Analysis Function and you would like to join the judging or sifting panel, email the team at Analysis.Function@ons.gov.uk.