THE UNIVERSITY of Reading (UoR) was the recipient of an accolade for its work on climate research at a prestigious awards ceremony.
A representative from the university attended the Time Higher Education Awards 2023 in Liverpool– the first time the event was held outside of London since the launch of the awards in 2005.
The event saw institutions from around the UK commended for their services to higher education and the wider community.
The University of Reading was selected as the winner of the inaugural award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership.
It won out over competition from Edinburgh Napier University, the University of Essex, Loughborough University, the University of Portsmouth, and the Royal Northern College of Music.
UoR’s Professor Hannah Cloke was also shortlisted for the Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year following her work in in hydrology, which included overseeing both postgraduate and undergraduate student research.
These included projects modelling natural systems and global flood risks, and continued work examining flood forecasting and risk management.
Meanwhile Huddersfield Business School took Business School of the Year, Cardiff Metropolitan University took Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Angela Ruskin University took University of the Year.
The panel said of the University of Reading’s work: “What stood out was the sheer breadth of Reading’s contributions to environmental leadership, ranging from its world-leading scientific research to the global policy impact of its flood forecasting.”
They explained that the university: “Doesn’t just talk the talk, but sets the agenda on one of the biggest issues of our time.”
It follows world-leading climate research and public awareness initiatives such as the famed Climate Stripes graphic.
These include programmes such as the National Climate Education Action Plan, the Climate Ambassador Scheme, both of which provide access to guidance and resources for sustainability guidance from leading experts in the field.
John Gill, Times Higher Education editor, said that the awards had at last: “Left behind the exceptionally tough operating environment of the Covid-hit years.
“It was a year in which Covid no longer dominated every aspect of universities’ activities, and the 650 submissions across 20 award categories reflect that unique moment when universities continued to deal with adversity, but also raised their eyes to the horizon.
“The result was a fascinating range of entries reflecting the excellence that exists throughout universities across the UK and Ireland, of which we can be truly proud– as ever, it is THE’s great privilege to be able to support and celebrate these achievements with all of you.
“Congratulations to everyone shortlisted.”
Meteorology Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, head of the school for Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences, said: “his award is truly for all of us, because of the ways we work together to advance the fundamental science of climate and environmental change and, importantly, how we turn that research into action.
“We called our submission and our broader work “Planet Partners” because we recognise that no-one can do this work alone and that’s equally true for our partnerships and community within the school and university as it is for the many other organisations we’ve worked with in the last few years.
“Thank you to everyone both in MPCS and in schools and directorates across campus who has contributed to this work so far — I hope you feel as proud of our university and our community as I do and find time to celebrate.”
