Shortlist
6
Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
Leeds Trinity University
Submission title or project name
Faith Trail initiative
Nominee or key personnel
Policing team, Leeds Trinity University
Abridged submission
Confidence in policing among racially minoritised communities in the UK remains consistently lower than among white communities. In response to this sector-wide challenge, Leeds Trinity University (LTU) introduced the Faith Trail initiative, an immersive programme designed to foster meaningful engagement between student officers and local faith communities across Bradford and West Yorkshire. The initiative, which is embedded within the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) curriculum, moves beyond symbolic diversity training. It ensures that students gain direct insight into the lived experiences, beliefs and concerns of the communities they will serve, through structured visits to places of worship. Since its launch in 2024, more than 500 PCDA students have participated, reporting increased confidence and a deeper appreciation of procedural fairness and legitimacy in policing. Through education, partnership and sustained engagement, LTU is helping to shape a more culturally aware generation of police officers, demonstrating how universities can play a key role in addressing sector-wide challenges.
show more
show less
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Submission title or project name
ReCITE
Nominee or key personnel
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with Liverpool City Council; University of Liverpool; Liverpool John Moores University; Edge Hill University; University of Bristol; Knowsley Borough Council; Sefton Council; Capacity Development International; Writing on the Wall; Collective Encounters Community; delivery partners. Also, Anfield & Everton Primary Care Network; University Hospital of Liverpool Group; Primary Care 24; Walton Centre; Liverpool Lighthouse; Explore Partnership CiC; One Knowsley; The Rotunda; Sefton CVS; Comic Youth CiC; and Tiber.
Abridged submission
Liverpool City Region faces entrenched health inequalities. Many people live shorter lives and in poorer health than they should. Conversations about health equity highlight failures – system collapse, individuals slipping through cracks and compromised care. ReCITE’s Community Innovation Teams (CITs) work across underserved, deprived areas of Liverpool, Sefton and Knowsley to tackle equity challenges in immunisation, cancer screening, reproductive health and well-being. Building partnerships between communities, local government, healthcare workers, advocacy groups, creatives and policymakers, CITs collaboratively use local data, quality improvement techniques and creative approaches, including storytelling, drama and puppetry, to reach audiences. Targets include parents, children, teachers, pregnant women, ex-smokers and other community members. CITs have demonstrated a range of impacts. Routine data indicate improved uptake of immunisation and cancer screening. We are seeing stronger cross-sector partnerships, new stakeholder networks, secured funding, shifts in community conversations around trust and misinformation, and direct influence on policy and practice.
show more
show less
University of Bradford
Submission title or project name
Creating Active Schools
Nominee or key personnel
Professor Andrew Daly-Smith; Dr Anna Chalkley
Abridged submission
The University of Bradford’s Creating Active Schools (CAS) programme is a research-led, internationally recognised approach to improving children’s health and life chances, cited by the World Health Organization and the Centre for Social Justice. Developed in response to rising inactivity and health inequalities, CAS seeks to embed physical activity across the whole school day. Co-created with schools, public health partners and researchers, CAS provides a practical, evidence-based framework that supports schools to reshape their environments, policies and practices in inclusive and sustainable ways. Rather than adding pressure, it enables schools to integrate movement into lessons, play and daily routines while strengthening staff confidence and pupil well-being. In 2024-25, CAS was embedded in 57 Bradford primary schools and more than 400 nationally, delivering improvements in activity levels, behaviour and focus, particularly in disadvantaged communities. CAS demonstrates how locally rooted research can deliver lasting impact.
show more
show less
University of Bristol
Submission title or project name
University of Bristol micro-campuses
Nominee or key personnel
University of Bristol civic team and cross-university, Wellspring Settlement, Hartcliffe & Withywood Ventures
URL
Abridged submission
The University of Bristol’s micro-campuses represent a transformative approach to community engagement, embedding the university within two of the UK’s lowest higher education participation areas. By meeting people where they are – economically, socially, culturally and geographically – they have become an integral part of community life, building trust, aspiration and opportunity. In Barton Hill, more than 160 residents engage weekly across 60+ partnerships. Initiatives include a tutoring programme that has significantly raised GCSE attainment for learners, a thriving library improving literacy and well-being, and programmes such as Parent Power, which empower families to shape their children’s futures. Since opening in early 2025, Hartcliffe & Withywood has grown rapidly, delivering a co-designed micro-qualification to build skills, confidence and employment pathways. Community-led initiatives such as a vet drop-in and a menopause cafe have strengthened connection and fostered local networks. Together, these micro-campuses demonstrate sustained place-based impact – expanding opportunity and enabling long-term, inclusive change.
show more
show less
University of Glasgow
Submission title or project name
Emma Ritch Law Clinic
Nominee or key personnel
Eamon Keane, principal solicitor and co-director, Emma Ritch Law Clinic; Jacqueline Kinghan, professor of law and social change and co-director, Emma Ritch Law Clinic; Nicole Marshall, Glasgow Open Justice Centre manager; James Chalmers, Regius professor of law; Fiona Leverick, professor of criminal law and criminal justice; Sandy Brindley, lecturer in criminal justice and associate director, SOLACE Project; Siobhan McGurk, pilot co-ordinator, SOLACE Project
Abridged submission
Survivors of sexual violence face profound barriers to justice, including invasive intrusions of privacy, traumatising courtroom cross-examination, the challenge of navigating complex criminal procedure and poor communication by criminal justice agencies. The Emma Ritch Law Clinic was established in 2023 at the University of Glasgow to help tackle these issues. The clinic improves access to justice for complainers in sexual violence cases through the provision of trauma-informed legal advice and representation in areas including privacy rights; retention of evidence; police investigations and charging decisions; decisions to prosecute; and complaints. It is the only law school in the UK to provide a specialist pro bono service to survivors of sexual violence in a criminal justice context. By embedding trauma-informed principles at every stage of its work – from client engagement and legal representation to education and training – the clinic delivers both immediate benefits for survivors and lasting systemic impact.
show more
show less
University of Liverpool
Submission title or project name
Community Charter on Data and AI: building public trust in responsible civic innovation
Nominee or key personnel
Dr Gary Leeming; Dr Emily Rempel; Emma Lo
Abridged submission
The Liverpool City Region Community Charter on Data and AI was developed through the LCR Civic Data Cooperative, funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and hosted by Civic Health Innovation Labs at the University of Liverpool. Created through a Residents’ Assembly of 59 people from across the city region, the charter sets out 11 principles for responsible data sharing and AI innovation, including community benefit, security, accountability, transparency, inclusion, privacy and independent oversight. The charter is already being adopted by the NHS, Civic Health Innovation Labs and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Office for Public Service Innovation to guide large-scale data and AI projects. It supports applications ranging from healthcare and disease outbreak monitoring to transport planning, misinformation, housing, mental health and social care. The initiative demonstrates how universities can build public trust in emerging technologies by turning civic participation into practical governance for responsible AI.
show more
show less
6
Outstanding Library Team of the Year
Manchester Metropolitan University
Submission title or project name
Relocation and design: Library and Special Collections
Abridged submission
Manchester Metropolitan University delivered a major library relocation in just nine months (less than half the planned time frame) to enable construction of a new, future-focused facility. The programme combined clear strategic leadership, disciplined delivery and data-informed service redesign to protect the student experience throughout. A former teaching building was transformed into a fully operational library in just nine weeks, delivering 1,300 study spaces (including 500 IT-enabled) aligned to how students study today. At the same time, access to more than 8km of print collections was reconfigured through off-site storage and a new click-and-collect service that has achieved 98 per cent fulfilment within 24 hours. There was no service closure. Access, support and study space were maintained for 43,000 students, with usage and trust sustained. Delivered on time and within budget, the project has strengthened service resilience while demonstrating practical, transferable approaches to large-scale change.
Nominee or key personnel
Rachel Beckett; Emma Thompson; Paul Everitt
show more
show less
University of Derby
Submission title or project name
Develop@Derby
Abridged submission
The University of Derby Library is driving institutional transformation through “Develop@Derby”, a sector-leading framework enabling every student to succeed in their future. Informed by industry, it develops knowledge, mindset and technical, cognitive and behavioural skills, with measurable impact evidenced by rising National Student Survey (NSS) skills confidence (+1.6 percentage points; +2.1 percentage points year-on-year). Aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (“Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”), the framework adopts an inclusive, strengths-based approach, empowering students to recognise and articulate their capabilities. Delivery spans a co-created digital platform, embedded curricula, targeted workshops and personalised support, achieving 381,236 views in 2024-25 and 81 per cent awareness. Embedding at scale has transformed access: more than half of modules now map to the framework, engaging 9,000 students in teaching. A pioneering shift to Skills Librarians positions the library at the forefront of equitable, institution-wide skills development.
Nominee or key personnel
Benjamin Veasey, university librarian
show more
show less
University of Liverpool
Abridged submission
The University of Liverpool libraries are at the heart of campus life, supporting learning, research and well-being. Welcoming spaces, expert staff and a compassionate approach help students to navigate both academic and personal challenges. Last year, the libraries hosted almost 1.6 million visits and provided access to nearly 5 million journals, e-books and physical items. Through initiatives such as the Maker Space, Student Partner Programme and KnowHow sessions, students gain practical digital, academic and employment skills. Our Digital Heritage Lab and Open Research team make internationally important collections and world-leading research accessible to global audiences. The libraries also contribute to institutional priorities, including AI literacy initiatives and research training schemes, while building international partnerships with institutions in Lesotho and Ukraine. Combining professional expertise, innovation and inclusivity, our libraries help students to thrive and have contributed to a top four Russell Group National Student Survey ranking in 2024-25.
Nominee or key personnel
Dr Matthew Greenhall and the University of Liverpool Library team
show more
show less
University of London
Submission title or project name
Transforming our library while responsibly managing our print collections
Abridged submission
Senate House Library (SHL), the central library for the University of London’s 17 federation member institutions, is undergoing significant transformation through a focused programme of innovation. Key developments include the introduction of single sign-on access for federal students, a new app enabling remote registration and resource use, and an AI-powered chatbot supporting 40,000 distance learners across 88 countries. The library has expanded its collaborative role by establishing a consortium for shared e-resource procurement and by launching a “Roving Archivist” service to assist smaller libraries. Special collections remain central to our mission, highlighted by major exhibitions and partnerships. Visitor numbers have risen by 30 per cent above pre-pandemic levels. Strategic collection weeding has freed space for new acquisitions, including Haud Nominandum, a major queer literature collection funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Additionally, collaboration with the Internet Archive ensures that most withdrawn materials are digitised and made freely accessible worldwide.
Nominee or key personnel
Senate House Library staff
show more
show less
University of Strathclyde
Submission title or project name
GaySoc at Strathclyde
Abridged submission
The University of Strathclyde Library has placed equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of its work, with GaySoc at Strathclyde standing out as its most distinctive achievement in 2024-25. Delivered by Archives and Special Collections with the Equality and Diversity Office, the project recovered and shared a hidden part of the university’s LGBTQI+ history through archives, student publications and campaign materials. It centred on the student Gay Society, founded in 1971, and highlighted the library’s role in preserving heritage, strengthening belonging and enriching teaching. Research by student intern Alex Kabaj, supported by a senior archives assistant, led to four crowdsourcing sessions involving staff and MSc Applied Gender Studies students. Participants reviewed 36 newspaper issues, saving 36 hours of research time while contributing directly to new knowledge. Alongside wider inclusive practice across services, collections and accessibility, the project shows how libraries can drive lasting cultural change.
show more
show less
University of Worcester
Submission title or project name
Libraries transforming lives through dementia support
Abridged submission
The University of Worcester’s Library team has redefined the role of an academic library through an innovative, community-embedded approach to dementia support. Operating within Europe’s first fully integrated university and public library, the team used its unique model to bridge research, public need and accessible services. In response to low diagnosis rates and limited support, the team partnered with the Association for Dementia Studies to co-create a bespoke Dementia Ambassador training programme shaped by lived experience. Fifteen ambassadors were trained, building a sustainable county-wide network and significantly enhancing staff capability. Innovative initiatives such as Memory Bags have supported more than 3,000 people, alongside a programme of community activities that reduce isolation and improve well-being. By combining research excellence with local partnerships, the team has extended its impact into policy and professional practice, demonstrating a scalable, sector-leading model of socially impactful library services.
show more
show less
6
Research Project of the Year: STEM
Heriot-Watt University
Submission title or project name
Restoration Forth: How science is restoring community connection to the seas
Nominee or key personnel
Professor William (Bill) Sanderson; Dr Naomi Kennon; and partners, funders, supporters and volunteers
Abridged submission
Restoration Forth is about far more than returning a species. It’s rebuilding lost relationships between coastal communities and the sea. The project is reversing a century of ecological loss with rigorous science and genuine community partnership. At their peak, the oyster beds of the Firth of Forth yielded about 30 million oysters annually. By the 20th century, overfishing had driven local extinction, taking with it the water filtration, biodiversity and cultural identity the oysters had sustained for generations. During 2024-25, 60,000 European flat oysters were returned, more than double the target, with survival rates of about 88 per cent among the highest recorded by any comparable project globally. A citizen science programme has engaged 708 volunteers across 37 events, generating habitat data integrated into site suitability models. The project has shaped the Scottish government’s first Marine and Coastal Restoration Plan and is influencing restoration work across Scotland and Europe.
show more
show less
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Submission title or project name
DETECT programme (DevelopmEnt of a rapid diagnostic Test to idEntify Crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever at the poinT-of-care)
Nominee or key personnel
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (UK), in collaboration with National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR); The Pandemic Institute; Global Access Diagnostics (GADx); Ministry of Health CCHF National Reference Laboratory, Ankara, Türkiye; Clinical and laboratory facilities across Türkiye (Ondokuz Mayis University; Sivas Cumhuriyet University; Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital; Gaziosmanpaşa University; Atatürk University; Erzurum City Hospital; Central Public Health Laboratory, Baghdad; Medical Research Council (MRC); and LifeArc
Abridged submission
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease, endemic in parts of Africa and Asia, with mortality rates of up to 40 per cent. Flu-like symptoms progress to internal bleeding and organ failure, typically proving fatal in five to 14 days. There are no licensed vaccines or treatments. Diagnosis relies on sending samples to laboratories, which means a wait of two to five days for results. Such delays cause poor patient outcomes and increase transmission risks. The World Health Organization designated CCHF a priority disease and prioritised the development of point-of-care diagnostics. DETECT developed the world’s first rapid diagnostic CCHF test. This groundbreaking solution identifies CCHF cases within 30 minutes, enabling health workers to immediately begin treatment and infection control, potentially saving many lives. This is possible without the use of laboratories or specialist training, making the test ideal for use in remote areas where CCHF outbreaks typically occur. This is a game changer in CCHF diagnosis, treatment and control.
show more
show less
University of Birmingham
Submission title or project name
Illuminating the dinosaur “dark age”: transformative Jurassic research driving global engagement and impact
Nominee or key personnel
Professor Richard Butler (University of Birmingham); Professor Kirsty Edgar (University of Birmingham); Professor Susannah Maidment (Natural History Museum and University of Birmingham); Professor Driss Ouarhache (Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco), Dr Emma Nicholls (Oxford University Museum of Natural History); Dr Duncan Murdock (Oxford University Museum of Natural History)
Abridged submission
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have co-led groundbreaking dinosaur research that is transforming understanding of the Middle Jurassic Period – one of the least understood intervals in Earth’s history. Through discoveries in Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains and the internationally celebrated “Dinosaur Highway” in Oxfordshire, the team uncovered exceptional new evidence of dinosaur evolution, behaviour and ecosystems dating back more than 160 million years. Their discoveries include Spicomellus, the bizarre “punk rock dinosaur” that challenges established theories of dinosaur armour evolution, and one of the world’s largest dinosaur footprint sites, preserving trackways up to 220m in length. Combining cutting-edge technologies such as drone imaging and 3D modelling with major international collaboration, the project generated enormous global public engagement, with estimated global media reach exceeding 10 billion. Beyond scientific discovery, the research is supporting heritage protection, sustainable tourism, researcher training, and the development of a proposed UNESCO Global Geopark in Morocco.
show more
show less
University of Essex
Submission title or project name
SKINTEL – transforming skin cancer diagnosis with explainable AI
Nominee or key personnel
Dr Haider Raza, University of Essex School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering; Professor Gordon Wishart, Chief Medical Officer, Check4Cancer
Abridged submission
Researchers at the University of Essex and Check4Cancer developed SKINTEL, an AI-assisted tool designed to improve skin cancer detection amid rising cases, a shortage of dermatologists and long NHS waiting lists. Led by Haider Raza and Gordon Wishart, the project analysed more than 79,000 skin lesions using dermoscopic images and patient data collected since 2015. The team identified seven key risk factors, including age, family history and hair colour, and combined these into a novel skin cancer risk score. Adding this score to image analysis improved the AI model’s specificity by 11 per cent, helping to reduce false positives. SKINTEL can detect suspicious lesions with 99 per cent accuracy, enabling earlier diagnosis while reducing unnecessary recalls, biopsies and follow-up appointments. Researchers are now seeking regulatory approval in the US and the European Union and exploring international collaborations, while continuing work to ensure that the system is effective across all skin types.
show more
show less
University of Glasgow
Submission title or project name
Discovering a new Earth system cycle
Nominee or key personnel
University of Glasgow: Dr Amanda Owen; Dr John MacDonald; Dr David James Brown
Abridged submission
Researchers at the University of Glasgow have discovered, for the first time, that industrial waste is turning into solid rock in decades. This discovery challenges centuries of understanding of how quickly rocks form. This evidence will impact how we manage industrial waste across the globe. The research highlights the potential impacts these new rock formations may have on our ecosystems, biodiversity, coastal management and land planning, highlighting the urgent need to account for rapid rock formation in models of landscape change, and paving the way for a new research agenda. The story captured global media attention, with extensive coverage across print and digital outlets, as well as broadcast features on radio and television. It has also been featured on more than 200 local and regional websites. This widespread international coverage reflects strong public interest in research that highlights the impact of human activity on our planet.
show more
show less
University of Nottingham
Submission title or project name
New genetic test can diagnose brain tumours in as little as two hours
Nominee or key personnel
Professor Matt Loose, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham; Dr Stuart Smith, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham and Nottingham University Hospitals Trust; Dr Simon Paine, Nottingham University Hospitals Trust; Dr Simon Deacon, PhD student, University of Nottingham
Abridged submission
Scientists and clinicians at the University of Nottingham have developed an ultra-rapid method to genetically diagnose brain tumours, reducing classification times from six to eight weeks to as little as two hours. This innovation could improve care for thousands of patients in the UK, where more than 12,000 cases are diagnosed annually and aggressive tumours often have poor survival rates. Currently, tumour samples are sent to centralised laboratories, delaying diagnosis and treatment. The new approach eliminates this delay and can provide results during surgery, aiding real-time decision-making. Tested in 50 surgeries, the method achieved a 100 per cent success rate, delivering diagnoses within two hours and detailed classifications within minutes. It uses portable nanopore sequencing technology and specialised software to rapidly analyse DNA changes. The approach streamlines testing, reduces delays and improves access to advanced diagnostics. Already being adopted across multiple centres, it also supports faster treatment decisions and increases opportunities for patients to access clinical trials.
show more
show less
6
Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year
Brunel University of London
Submission title or project name
Beyond the scenes: Redefining police education through immersive crime scene simulation
Nominee or key personnel
Samantha McCormack; Peter Lin; Damian Allain; Brian Chappell; Peter Doyle; Soley Fletcher; Harjit Kemp; Yasmin Musse; Ravern Stevens
Abridged submission
Brunel University of London is redefining police education with a sector-leading immersive and simulation model that prepares students for the realities of investigative practice. Grounded in specialist expertise and simulation pedagogy, the Immersive Learning Room places students in the role of investigators, working with digital evidence, evolving intelligence and time-critical scenarios to make defensible decisions under pressure. This multi-sensory, data-rich environment enables the development of investigative judgement, evidential reasoning and professional confidence in ways that traditional teaching cannot replicate at scale. The same simulation architecture supports inter-professional learning, including an NHS-focused mental health crisis workshop, demonstrating flexibility across urgent, high-stakes contexts. By integrating immersive technology, research and reusable digital simulations, Brunel has created a scalable and efficient model that transforms how complex decision-making is taught, ensuring that graduates are ready not just to understand policing, but also to perform it with credibility and impact.
show more
show less
Imperial College London
Submission title or project name
My Imperial Campus app
Nominee or key personnel
Digital Campus Team; The DreamTeam
Abridged submission
My Imperial Campus has transformed how students experience Imperial, replacing fragmented systems with a single, integrated mobile platform for navigation, attendance, support and campus services. Co-designed with students and alumni and built entirely in-house, the platform now supports 22,000 active users across 3 million annual sessions. Its one-click attendance feature has increased usage by 62 per cent year-on-year, providing valuable real-time data for academic departments, UK Visas and Immigration compliance, and early well-being intervention. The launch of Imperial’s first 3D campus maps has further improved accessibility, helping students to navigate complex campuses, locate study spaces through live occupancy data, and report maintenance issues. Beyond improving the student experience, the platform informs space utilisation planning, identifies wi-fi coverage gaps, and enables university services to engage students through a channel they actively use. My Imperial Campus demonstrates how including users at every stage of design and development can deliver measurable institutional impact at scale.
show more
show less
King’s College London
Submission title or project name
PharosAI
Abridged submission
Cancer causes 10 million early deaths worldwide every year. PharosAI provides the digital infrastructure for university-linked cancer research biobanks to use artificial intelligence to access, store and analyse thousands of tissue samples, accelerating the development of new cancer drugs and diagnostics for the benefit of patients globally. Led by King’s College London, PharosAI brings together the KHP Cancer Biobank (King’s College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust) and the Barts Cancer Institute Biobank (Queen Mary University of London, Barts Health NHS Trust and Barts Life Sciences), and has secured £18.9 million in government funding. PharosAI works as a “data refinery” converting multimodal digital data from a range of sources into AI-ready assets, fully consented for academic and commercial research. And because data is accessed through a secure, distributed platform with strong governance, privacy and security, AI models can be trained across multiple organisations without the underlying data being shared.
show more
show less
Lancaster University
Submission title or project name
Smart Scenarios: Adaptive VR–AI language learning (Languages and Global Cultures in collaboration with ISS innovation team)
Nominee or key personnel
Dr Alícia Moreno Giménez (senior teaching associate in Hispanic studies); Brian Green (head of innovation and mobile development); Raeesa Parker (IT partnering and innovation developer); Xennon Edmondson (Unity developer); David McBride (Data Immersion Suite manager)
Abridged submission
UK universities face a growing crisis in language learning, with declining enrolments, uneven prior attainment and high levels of speaking anxiety. Smart Scenarios directly addresses this institutional challenge through an integrated virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) framework developed at Lancaster University. The system combines agnostic speech recognition and AI adaptive dialogue and automated analytics within curriculum-aligned VR scenarios, delivered through a flipped learning model. Implemented in the Data Immersion Suite, it blends individual VR practice with shared 180-degree projection to embed immersive technology within structured, social learning. The pilot expanded from 29 to more than 140 students across multiple languages, supported by redesigned dashboards and longitudinal analytics that strengthened reliability and scalability. Students reported reduced anxiety, increased confidence and more meaningful communicative engagement. AI-generated transcripts and reports improved efficiency, reduced staff workload and enabled consistent feedback at scale. The framework is financially sustainable, highly adaptable and readily transferable.
show more
show less
University of East London
Submission title or project name
The SHINE project: Tackling iron deficiency through university-wide digital innovation
Nominee or key personnel
Toby Richards, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience
Abridged submission
One in three women is affected by iron-deficiency anaemia, with women of reproductive age disproportionately impacted. Its effects on mental health, physical well-being and work are comparable to living with diabetes, yet many women suffer for years before diagnosis and treatment. Despite the World Health Organization’s recommending screening in 1968, routine screening is still not in place. As part of its Year of Health, the University of East London launched SHINE, the world’s first university-wide screening initiative addressing anaemia, heavy menstrual bleeding and iron deficiency. Led by Toby Richards, SHINE has screened 1,500 female students, finding that one in four had anaemia linked to increased anxiety and depression. Educational interventions and targeted support have already delivered significant improvements. SHINE is now developing an evidence-based early intervention model with the potential to shape future public health policy and improve outcomes for women at scale.
show more
show less
University of Salford
Submission title or project name
Virtual worlds, real impact: Inclusive immersive learning at the University of Salford
Nominee or key personnel
School of Health and Society, University of Salford
URL
Example experiences available via this link: https://www.thinglink.com/scene/2119228959672501925
Abridged submission
Simulation-based education has long been central to professional training, but the University of Salford has redefined its potential through a scalable immersive learning model that combines AI-generated virtual humans, immersive environments and inclusive digital design. The initiative enables students to step inside complex real-world contexts – from a 17th-century plague village, to rural Uganda, to a virtual police station – without the cost, access and ethical limitations of traditional fieldwork or role play. Learners gain authentic, emotionally engaging experiences regardless of disability, caring responsibilities or financial constraints. The innovation has delivered measurable educational impact across health, policing and public health programmes, with students reporting increased preparedness, confidence and deeper reflective insight. Its reach extends beyond the university through international collaboration, recognition by the platform provider ThingLink, and engagement with local school pupils. This inclusive, values-led use of immersive techniques sets a new, replicable standard for digitally enhanced education.
show more
show less