Inspiring mentor receives inaugural Hywel Thomas Prize

Dr Caitlyn Donaldson has received the Learned Society of Wales’ inaugural Hywel Thomas Prize, in recognition of her mentorship, community building, and service at institutional and national levels.

The prize, awarded at the Society’s fourth annual early career researchers (ECR) Colloquium in Aberystwyth, is named after its previous President, who oversaw the setting up of the ECR Network. It recognises individuals or teams who champion ECRs and who work to improve Wales’ broad research culture beyond their own career or institution.

Dr Donaldson is a research associate at Cardiff University, with a ‘focus on children and young people’s mental health outcomes within the context of primary and secondary schools’. She is described as an inspiring mentor who has supported numerous ECRs navigate the transition into the world of research.

Two runners-up were also recognised at the event: a team, comprising Dr Daniela Duc, Dr Ivana Rozic and Dr Vassilissa Carangio for their work establishing Unblock magazine, which ‘aims to be an open-door for kind yet sincere discussions of tangible issues is research, research culture and academia’; and Winnie Courtene-Jones for her work mentoring and championing ECRs and creating a positive, inclusive and fair culture.

Professor Rattan Yadav FLSW, a member of the prize’s review panel, said:

“It was heart-warming to read about the impact generated by the initiative of ECRs, across institutions in Wales, on research culture, on communities, and on the development of networks.

“These help improve both the wellbeing of researchers, and research environments.”