Anglia Ruskin University was hailed as an institution that “support[s] its region to the full” as it scooped the top prize at the Times Higher Education Awards 2023.
Anglia Ruskin was named University of the Year in recognition of its role as a hub for skills and innovation in multiple centres across the east of England. The judges were particularly impressed by its development of a new Peterborough campus on an accelerated timetable in partnership with local authorities and industry.
The award also honours Anglia Ruskin’s leadership on public service education, particularly in policing, and rapid improvements in its research performance.
The judges said these and other achievements “paint a picture of a university that knows what and who it is for, and is delivering – including taking calculated risks to support its region to the full”.
The awards – dubbed the “Oscars of higher education” and now in their 19th year – span 20 categories covering the full range of university activities. This year’s ceremony, focusing on achievements at UK and Irish institutions during 2021-22, was the first to be held outside London, at the ACC in Liverpool.
Campus: advice from the THE Awards 2023 shortlist
The THE Outstanding Achievement Award went to Dame Nancy Rothwell, who will end a 14-year term as University of Manchester president in 2024. The citation states that “few people in UK higher education have been as successful at every rung of the ladder as Dame Nancy”, highlighting her stellar achievements as a researcher, academic leader, science communicator and industry champion – and as a beacon for women in academia.
Other big winners included Sheffield Hallam University, which topped two categories – International Collaboration of the Year, in collaboration with the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration, and Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team, an impressive joint entry with the University of Sheffield.
This year’s awards attracted a record-breaking haul of entries, with 74 institutions making the shortlist.
John Gill, THE’s editor, said that the winners “exemplify the broad spectrum of ways in which universities are excelling and making a difference”.
“The sheer depth of innovation, talent and dedication that exists at every level of universities across the UK and Ireland never fails to impress,” Mr Gill said.
Times Higher Education Awards 2023: the winners
University of the Year
Anglia Ruskin University
THE Outstanding Achievement Award
Dame Nancy Rothwell
Business School of the Year
Huddersfield Business School, University of Huddersfield
International Collaboration of the Year
Sheffield Hallam University, in collaboration with the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration
Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year
Coventry University
Most Innovative Teacher of the Year
Bill Buchanan, Edinburgh Napier University
Highly commended: Emilie Edwards, Middlesex University
Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership
University of Reading
Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
University of Plymouth
Outstanding Entrepreneurial University
Royal Northern College of Music
Outstanding Estates Team
York St John University
Highly commended: Cranfield University
Outstanding Library Team
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team
Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield
Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year
Mark Brown, Royal Holloway, University of London
Outstanding Support for Students
Northumbria University
Outstanding Technician of the Year
Jason Daff, University of York
Highly commended: Heather Burgess, Ulster University
Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Liverpool John Moores University
Research Project of the Year: STEM
University of Nottingham
Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year
University of Galway
Highly commended: University of East London
Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year
University of Central Lancashire
Highly commended: Dublin City University
