Shami Chakrabarti, Sean Coughlin and Anthony McClaran will be amongst a raft of experts casting their eye over the NUS Awards nominees.
There are 13 awards in total, which cover areas of excellence in the student movement including campaigning, community involvement and student media.
The judges confirmed so far are:
- Ian Passmore - Endsleigh
- Nicola Dandridge – Universities UK
- Karen Rothery - British Universities and Colleges Sport
- Anthony McClaran - Quality Assurance Agency
- Dame Ruth Silver - Learning and Skills Improvement Service
- Chris Morecroft - Assoication of Colleges
- Rosamund McCarthy - Bates Wells and Braithwaite
- Jules Mason - British Red Cross
- Shami Chakrabarti - Liberty (The National Council for Civil Liberties)
- Sean Coughlin - BBC
- Richard Garner - The Independent, Education Editor
- Di Boston – Students’ Union Evaluation Initiative
- Sir Stuart Etherington – National Council for Volunteering Organisations
- Ian King
- John Simpson
To enter, students must use the online submission form on www.nusconnect.org.uk/awards where in no more than 1,000 words nominators must explain why the person or union is deserving of the award, paying particular attention to the criteria. The deadline is 1pm on Friday 6 May.
The winner will be revealed at a special NUS Awards ceremony in Leeds on 20 July 2011. A lifetime contribution award will also be presented to an individual who has played a consistent and important part in the student movement and NUS.
One of the judges, Endsleigh Managing Director Ian Passmore, said: “Endsleigh is supporting the NUS Awards because it underlines and celebrates the importance of excellence in the contribution of students and students' unions to everyday life and also to society.
“Many of the qualities we value – leadership, determination, commitment, teamwork, exceeding expectations – will be evident in nominees and the NUS Award winners. We applaud the achievements of all those who are nominated and are proud to be the official partner for the NUS Awards 2011.”