University Alliance has today announced the shortlist for its seventh annual Alliance Awards 2026.
The Alliance Awards, UA’s flagship event, celebrates the outstanding achievements of staff, students, teams and partners across its member institutions.
The ceremony recognises excellence, impact and leadership in higher education, highlighting research, teaching, partnerships and initiatives that are delivering meaningful benefits for students, communities, industry and society.
With over 230 nominations received in total, the standard of nominations this year has been exceptionally high, reflecting the sheer breadth and ambition of work taking place across the Alliance.
The entries show how individuals and teams are delivering incredible impact well beyond their immediate roles. They’re shaping policy, supporting regional growth and developing practical solutions to complex challenges.
Our universities are also excelling as connectors, bringing together partners from across academia, industry, funding bodies and government to turn bold ideas into meaningful action. Leadership at every level stands out, with students and staff alike stepping up to take initiative and drive change.
Winners will be announced at the Alliance Awards ceremony on 3 September 2026, hosted by the University of Derby.
The full shortlist is available below:
Alliance Awards 2026 – Shortlist
Read full descriptions of the shortlisted nominees’ amazing work here.
The DTA Alumni Award
For alumni of the Doctoral Training Alliance (DTA) who have demonstrated excellence in innovation or community contribution:
- Jake Milner – Teesside University
- Dr Kumar Shantanu Prasad – University of Hertfordshire
- Dr Maria Turda – University of Lancashire
- Shehani Pigera – Teesside University
The Heroes Award, sponsored by Duolingo English Test
For teams or individuals helping their institutions, staff or students to thrive:
- EDI Team, UWE Bristol
- Black Women Research Collective team, University of Hertfordshire
- Dr Julie Jones – Robert Gordon University
- DMU Dubai Team – De Montfort University
The Professional Services Excellence Award, sponsored by Peridot Partners
For exceptional service across professional services:
- Edward Boyle, Oxford Brookes University
- Marketing Team, UWE Bristol
- Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy (AREA), Anglia Ruskin University
- University of Derby Estates Team, University of Derby
The Regional Impact Award
For initiatives that benefit local or regional communities:
- Dr Ghada Elkhoury – Kingston University
- Dr Laura Fogg-Rogers – UWE Bristol
- ARU Peterborough – Anglia Ruskin University
- Leeds Sustainability Institute Team – Leeds Beckett University
Research and Innovation Impact Award
For research delivering tangible real-world impact:
- W-ICAD Project Team – University of Westminster
- Professor Elena Gaura – Coventry University
- Dr Lauren Josie Thomas, Jayde Howard and Dr Shehla Khan – University of South Wales
- Professor Liza Marzano – Middlesex University
Student Leadership and Enterprise Award
For remarkable student achievement in leadership or enterprise (including recent graduates):
- Isaac Nsubuga – University of West London
- Ms Sanaa Kazi – University of West London
- Shivali Srivastav – Birmingham City University
- Samuel Spence – Middlesex University
Teaching Innovation Award
For innovative approaches to teaching:
- The Elevate Team – Anglia Ruskin University
- National Institute of Teaching and Education Team – Coventry University
- Professor Bhavik Patel – University of Brighton
- De Montfort University for their Block Teaching approach
Industry Partnerships Award
For outstanding partnerships with industry or public sector organisations:
- Professor Marcos Kauffman – Coventry University
- Teesside Aviation Skills Academy – Teesside University
- Dr Julie Armoogum – UWE Bristol
- University of Hertfordshire and Watford FC – University of Hertfordshire
Research Communication Award
For impactful campaigns showcasing standout research:
- Professor Iakovos Tzanakis – Oxford Brookes University
- Polly Wyatt – University of Brighton
- Rachel Moseley – Bournemouth University
- Professor Michael Sweet – University of Derby
Lifetime Achievement Award
Nominated by Vice-Chancellors, for individuals with a career of outstanding service to students, institutions and the wider sector:
- Professor William Schabas – Middlesex University
- Professor Paul Croney – Teesside University
- Professor Alan Winfield – UWE Bristol
- Paul Butler – University of Greenwich
- Sharon Harrison Barker – University of Hertfordshire
- Professor Hanifa Shah OBE – Birmingham City University
- Professor Socrates Karidis – Coventry University
- Professor John Latham CBE – Coventry University
For further information, please contact the awards team at awards@unialliance.ac.uk.
ENDS
About the Alliance Awards
The Alliance Awards is University Alliance’s flagship event celebrating the amazing work of colleagues, students and teams across UA’s membership for the brilliant contributions they have made.
This year’s awards ceremony will be hosted by the University of Derby and will take place on Thursday 3 September 2026.
The awards are kindly sponsored by Duolingo English Test, Peridot Partners, and Enfuse Group.
Visit our website for more information about this year’s awards – including all of this year’s categories.
About University Alliance
University Alliance (UA) represents 19 of the UK’s leading professional and technical universities. Our members specialise in working with industry and employers. Their teaching is hands-on, and designed to prepare students for careers. Their knowledge and research drive industry to innovate, thrive and meet challenges.
Our members are leading the way in innovation and business support in the green, tech, creative and healthcare industries. They educate 1 in 3 of the country’s nurses. They are leading providers of teaching in healthcare, the creative arts, degree apprenticeships and more.
As the collective voice of the professional and technical universities, University Alliance works to:
- Provide professional networks for leaders and staff at our member universities to share knowledge, learn from each other, and address common challenges and opportunities.
- Run joint programmes across our members, such as the Doctoral Training Alliance, which supports doctoral researchers with career development.
- Developing research, insights, and advice to inform government policy on higher education and related issues, and connecting policy makers with people working ‘on the ground’ in our universities.
- Delivering communications and engagement to inform students, staff, industry partners and policymakers about how our member universities work and what makes them distinctive (applied research, industry partnerships, innovative hands-on teaching).
Our members are: Anglia Ruskin University, Birmingham City University, Bournemouth University, University of Brighton, Coventry University, De Montfort University, University of Derby, University of Greenwich, University of Hertfordshire, Kingston University, Leeds Beckett University, Middlesex University, Oxford Brookes University, Robert Gordon University, University of South Wales, Teesside University, University of West London, UWE Bristol, University of Westminster.
