The BMJ Awards: The judging process
View the 2021 judges
Step 1
Shortlist entries
The BMJ Awards is extremely proud of its high standards, which it maintains through a robust judging process. Once the submission of entries closes, our internal champions (mostly doctors and senior editors within BMJ) and an expert judge shortlist all submitted entries. Each category will have 5-6 shortlisted teams. The shortlist will be announced in July 2021.
Step 2
Virtual judging: shortlisted teams
All shortlisted teams are invited to a 30-minute virtual session in June to present in front of a panel comprising a BMJ champion and three expert judges, one of whom is a patient representative. Based on the information provided in the entry forms of every shortlisted team plus the live presentation by the team and the answers given to questions from the panel, the judges make a final decision on the winners. The virtual judging sessions will be taking place on Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22, and Thursday 23 September 2021.
Step 3
Announcing the winners
All winners will be announced at The BMJ Awards virtual awards ceremony on the evening of Wednesday, 29 September 2021. Join us as we celebrate all our finalists, and congratulate the 2021 BMJ Award winners in an evening hosted by Dr Fiona Godlee. We’d like to see as many of your team members and colleagues and contacts join us in the evening when we announce the winners. You’ll be able to register for the virtual ceremony to ensure that you receive a save the date invitation to join us virtually on the night and watch the ceremony, from wherever you are.
BMJ’s Editors have collated a shortlist for both the UK Research Paper of the Year Award and the Outstanding Contribution to Health Award, based on publications and projects that they have seen over the past year. Throughout July and August, they will review and discuss the shortlist to reach a decision on a winner for each award.
COVID-19
We will continue to monitor the situation over the coming months, being mindful of our duty of care to all involved. Following ongoing reviews, should we need to re-assess and adapt The BMJ Awards, we will provide updates on any changes.
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