Tonight the winners of Alliance Awards 2026 were announced at a ceremony hosted by the University of Derby.
University Alliance is a group of 20 professional and technical universities in the UK, united by a shared commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and real-world impact.
The Alliance Awards highlight the exemplary achievements and groundbreaking work undertaken by individuals and teams at University Alliance’s member universities. The Awards recognise many aspects of university life, across research, teaching, partnerships with industry, and public engagement.
Now in its seventh year, the Alliance Awards celebrate the achievements of University Alliance members and reflect the organisation’s ambitions under its new ten-year strategy to champion the UK’s professional and technical universities as drivers of innovation, opportunity and inclusive economic growth.
This year’s ceremony saw the introduction of new award categories, such as the Research Communications Award and the Professional Services Excellence Award reflecting the breadth and wealth of work being undertaken across the Alliance, whilst showcasing the transformative achievements of Alliance universities, both locally and globally.
The winners of the 2026 Alliance Awards are:
Student Leadership and Enterprise Award
Sanaa Kazi, University of West London
Recognised for creating a high-impact student business competition that builds employability skills, expands opportunities and supports graduate career progression.
Industry Partnerships Award
Professor Marcos Kauffman, Coventry University
Recognised for leading Coventry University’s role in the Clean Futures Accelerator, creating a highly effective university-industry partnership model that has driven innovation, investment and growth in the West Midlands’ clean transport sector
Research Communications Award
Joint winners:
Polly Wyatt, News and Content Officer, University of Brighton
Recognised for delivering a successful media campaign highlighting research into how visually impaired people experience open-water swimming, amplifying underrepresented voices and creating lasting partnerships.
Professor Michael Sweet, University of Derby
For leading the communication of globally significant coral research through a high‑profile campaign that enhanced public engagement, institutional reputation and environmental awareness.
Regional Impact Award
ARU Peterborough
Recognised for driving inclusive regional growth through employer-aligned education, skills programmes and investment initiatives that support economic development and social mobility
DTA Alumni Award
Jake Milner, Teesside University
Recognised for his research on deindustrialisation and decarbonisation in the Tees Valley, alongside strong policy engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration and doctoral leadership.
Research and Innovation Impact Award
Professor Lisa Marzano, Middlesex University
Recognised for developing real-time suicide and self-harm surveillance systems and evidence-based interventions that have transformed prevention strategies and informed national policy.
Heroes Award (sponsored by Duolingo English Test)
EDI Team, UWE Bristol
Recognised for developing and embedding a university-wide anti-racism strategy that has delivered measurable improvements in outcomes, accountability and culture across the institution and beyond.
Teaching Innovation Award
National Institute of Teaching and Education Team, Coventry University
Recognised for transforming teacher education through flexible, research-informed programmes that widen access and improve the quality of training nationally and internationally.
Professional Services Excellence Award (sponsored by Peridot Partners)
Edward Boyle, Oxford Brookes University
For pioneering a data‑driven approach to estate management that delivers significant carbon, cost and efficiency gains while advancing sector-wide sustainability practices.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Professor Paul Croney OBE, Teesside University
Recognised for a transformative leadership career advancing widening participation, academic excellence and regional impact, demonstrating the role universities can play in social mobility and economic growth.
More information about all the nominees can be found here.
Vanessa Wilson, CEO of University Alliance, said:
“The Alliance Awards have always been about recognising excellence across our membership, and this year’s winners demonstrate the extraordinary contribution that professional and technical universities make to society, regional economies and to their local communities.
“As University Alliance embarks on its new ten-year strategy, it is more important than ever to celebrate the people and teams widening opportunity, advancing research and working closely with industry to drive innovation and developing highly-skilled graduates. The achievements recognised tonight showcase the distinctive role our universities play in tackling real-world challenges and delivering impact across the UK and beyond.
“The quality of nominations this year was exceptional. From our longlisted nominees and shortlisted finalists to tonight’s winners, I have been continually awestruck by the ambition, creativity and dedication on display across our membership. Congratulations to everyone recognised this evening.
“We are grateful to the University of Derby for hosting a fabulous ceremony and helping us celebrate the crème de la crème of Alliance universities. I would also like to thank our sponsors for their invaluable support in making the Alliance Awards possible.”
