The work of three ODID students in creating positive social change has been recognised by the Vice Chancellor's Civic Awards in 2013.

DPhil students Neil Howard and Elise Klein both won awards while Joseph Waldstein-Wartenberg, who is reading for the MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy, was Highly Commended. Six awards were made to students across the University in 2013, and four students were Highly Commended.

Neil has worked on a number of political education projects over recent years in Oxford, ranging from Occupy London's Tent City University to the Positive Politics Podcasts. He co-founded People's Political Economy (www.ppeuk.org), a network of learning groups aiming to provide a bridge between town and gown and to provide access to education around politics and economics to communities who are typically cut off from this sort of discussion.

Elise is the founder and CEO of The Mali Initiative, an NGO which has been working with communities in Mali for eight years, including supporting those involved in the current conflict and humanitarian relief. She is also involved in various social education projects in the UK and Oxford.

Joseph was recognised for his dedication and commitment to PROJECT-E, an Austrian/German NGO which he helped to build up. PROJECT-E runs a three-year vocational training programme for 55 young Ethiopian women from destitute backgrounds.

The Oxford University Vice-Chancellor's Civic Awards are granted every year to students who show exceptional achievement in and commitment to creating positive social change. The Awards celebrate and recognise the efforts made by students to make a positive impact in their local and global community.