Judging awards or judging popularity? A lack of clear criteria turns trophies into trinkets

Awards are supposed to recognise the best of the best, but too often the process is let down by a lack of transparency around judging and criteria that’s as clear a muddy puddle. If the questions are so wishy-washy they’d fit on a bumper sticker, it’s more a popularity contest, not an award that recognises achievement and growth.