Hat-trick of awards for University podiatry

Glasgow Caledonian University is celebrating a remarkable triple success after scooping three major honours at the 2026 Tomorrow’s Podiatry Awards.

The University secured Student of the Year (Pre-registration), Research Student of the Year and Society of the Year at the ceremony, held on Monday, March 2, at the Pullman Liverpool Hotel.

Heather MacDougall, a final-year BSc (Hons) Podiatry student, was named Student of the Year (Pre-registration), recognised as a “fantastic ambassador for the profession”. Heather also received a Carnegie Vacation Scholarship for her research exploring the impact of restrictive eating disorders (REDs) on the feet. Her work previously won the People’s Choice Award at the Royal College of Podiatry conference. In addition to her award win, Heather was also a finalist for the Student Leadership Award.

Heather’s research highlights a clear gap between what people with restrictive eating disorders experience in their feet – often severe pain, nerve problems, instability and early loss of mobility that can affect work and social life – and how confident podiatrists feel in spotting and treating these issues. She found that foot health is often overlooked in eating disorder care, meaning chances to step in earlier are missed. Encouragingly, her work shows podiatrists want more focused training, clearer referral routes and closer working with wider care teams to improve support for patients.

Research Student of the Year was awarded to Sarah-Jane Walls, who is in year three of a five-year part-time PhD in Health Sciences and was also a finalist in 2025. She was recognised for her sustained contribution to strengthening the profession’s research base.

Sarah-Jane’s research looks at how inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis affects foot joints and walking. By combining ultrasound scans with lab-based walking tests and clinical assessments, she aims to better understand how the condition develops in the feet over time. Her findings could support earlier and more proactive treatment to protect joint health, mobility and long-term quality of life.

The GCU Podiatry Society was named Society of the Year, commended for creating valuable networking opportunities and delivering interdisciplinary events that bring together students across all year groups.

Dr Lisa Wright was also shortlisted for Educator of the Year, highlighting the breadth of talent and commitment within GCU’s academic team.

Dr Wright said: “We are incredibly proud of our students for this fantastic triple success at the 2026 Tomorrow’s Podiatry Awards. Heather MacDougall and Sarah-Jane Walls are both outstanding ambassadors for the profession, and their awards reflect not only their academic excellence but their commitment to supporting fellow students and the wider podiatry community.

“We are also delighted to see the GCU Podiatry Society recognised as Society of the Year after years of dedication and consistent nominations. It is wonderful to see our students’ hard work celebrated on a national stage.”

The Tomorrow’s Podiatry Awards are the first student-led, podiatry-specific honours in the UK and Ireland. Now in their seventh year, the awards celebrate individuals and societies that enrich the student experience and support the development of the profession’s future leaders. This year’s shortlist included nominees from the University of Salford, Queen Margaret University, University of Brighton and NHS Tayside.