Well, it's been quite a year. And if 2016 is remembered for two events above all others, it will surely be the decision of Britain to leave the European Union and the election of Donald Trump as the next US president.

Universities have been shaken by these decisions. They are, after all, in the knowledge business, and it's vital that the flow of ideas - whether in research or study - is not restrained by insular attitudes or closed borders.

But a night such as tonight, when we get together to celebrate the extraordinary talent, creativity and resourcefulness of our universities, must fill us with confidence for the future too. Our world-class universities are vital to the prosperity of all of us, and they have overcome adversity in the past and will do so again.

If the UK is to emerge from Brexit with a newly defined role as an outwards-facing global beacon, rather than turning in on itself, then the examples of excellence we will celebrate tonight tell you everything you need to know about the part universities must play in that merging new identity. Congratulations to all of you for making it to the shortlists tonight, and thank you for being extraordinary.

- John Gill, editor, THE

The winners were announced on 24 November 2016, view the photos of the ceremony in our Flickr album .

Below are the shortlists and winning entries, and here you will find an e-book profiling all the winners .

University of the Year

Sponsored by Santander

Abertay University

City, University of London

London school of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (winner)

Loughborogh University

University of Nottingham

University of Worcester

Excellence and Innovation in the Arts

Sponsored by Chead

University of Central Lancashire (winner)

Liverpool Hope University

Newcastle University

University of Nottingham

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

University of St. Andrews, in collaboration with the University of the South Pacific

Research Project of the Year

Sponsored by Worktribe

Bangor University

University of Glasgow

Liverpool John Moores University on behalf of The Virgo Consortium

Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College London

University of Salford (winner)

University of London and the British Museum

Outstanding Employer Engagement Initiative

University of Derby

Durham University Business School

Liverpool John Moores University (winner)

Newcastle University

Nottingham Trent University

The Open University

Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year

Sponsored by UK Council for Graduate Education

Matteo Ceriotti, University of Glasgow

Katerina Hilari, University of London

Paul Jennings, University of Warwick

Mike Savage, London School of Economics

Isabel Torres, Queen's University Belfast

Alys Young, University of Manchester (winner)

Most Improved Student Experience

Sponsored by EvaSys

Aberystwyth University

Cardiff Metropolitan University

St. George's, University of London

University of Surrey

Ulster University (winner)

York St, John University

Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year

Sponsored by UCAS

University of Essex

University of Glasgow, on behalf of FOCUS West

Goldsmiths, University of London

Liverpool John Moores University, in collaboration with the Science and Technology Facilities Council

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

University of Winchester (winner)

Most Innovative Contribution to Business-University Collaboration

Sponsored by National Centre for Universities and Business

Aridhia, in collaboration with the University of Glasgow

Dairy Crest, in collaboration with Harper Adams University (winner)

Dove, in collaboration with the University of the West of England

GAMA Healthcare, in collaboration with Cardiff University

St. Mirren Football Club, in collaboration with the University of the West of Scotland

Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community

University of Bedfordshire

Cardiff University

Cardiff Metropolitan University

De Montfort University

Durham University

Edge Hill University (winner)

Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology

Sponsored by Scientia

Durham University

University of East London

University of Essex

Nottingham Trent University (winner)

Queen Mary University London

THE DataPoints Merit Award

Sponsored by THE DataPoints

University of Kent

Loughborough University

University of Surrey (winner)

Swansea University

Business School of the Year

Sponsored by Amity University

Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester

Leeds University Business School

Manchester Metropolitan University Business School

Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University

The Open University Business School

Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde (winner)

Outstanding Support for Students

Sponsored by Randstand

Cardiff University

Middlesex University

The Open University

University of Sheffield

Sheffield Hallam University

University of Wolverhampton (winner

International Collaboration of the Year

Sponsored by ShakespeareMartineau

Coventry University

Loughborough University

Newcastle University

The Royal College of Pathologists (winner)

St. George's, University of London

*University of Stirling*

Outstanding International Student Strategy

Sponsored by Gold Standard Testing

Cardiff Metropolitan University

University of Glasgow

Royal Northern College of Music (winner)

Sheffield Hallam University

Outstanding Contribution to Leadership Development

Sponsored by Leadership Foundation for Higher Education

Cardiff University

University of Roehampton

Royal Holloway, University of London (winner)

University of Dundee

University of Leeds and Leeds College of Art

Loughborough University

University of Manchester

University College London

Outstanding Digital Innovation in Teaching or Research

Sponsored by Jisc

Barts Cancer Institue, Queen Mary University of London

University of Dundee

University of Leeds and Leeds College of Art (winner)

Loughborough University

University of Manchester

University College London

Most Innovative Teacher of the Year

Sponsored by Higher Education Academy

Rebecca Bushell, University of South Wales

Charles Knight, Edge Hill University

Sara Perry, University of York

Julia Prest, University of St. Andrews

James Wilson, University of Southampton

Sara Wolfson, Canterbury Christ Church University (winner)

Entrepreneurial University of the Year

Sponsored by NCEE

Aston University

University of Central Lancashire

Coventry University

University of Lincoln

London South Bank University (winner)

Manchester Metropolitan University

The Lord Dearing Lifetime Achievement Award

Sponsored by Veredus

Lord Sainsbury of Turville (winner)