The event opened with an expert panel featuring current and former REF sub-panel members Mark King, Rosemary Hunter and Barry Bogin, who shared insights into what constitutes an outstanding impact case study. The discussion emphasised that impactful research is shaped through sustained engagement, robust evidence, and a clear, compelling narrative demonstrating tangible change.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings CB FRS FREng reinforced the centrality of impact within the University’s strategic vision. Drawing on his own experience, he highlighted the importance of ensuring research not only advances knowledge but also delivers meaningful benefits to society.
A series of keynote conversations, lightning talks and a research panel followed, you can find out more about the day here.
A series of awards were then presented in the following categories:
Outstanding Civic Engagement, For innovation and achievement in civic engagement, translating research insights in open and accessible ways, and/or thought leadership in these domains
Winner
Jessica Noske-Turner, Jennie Wong, Emma Pullen - Transforming disability inclusion through Para sport in Malawi
Participatory research in Malawi has used para sport to challenge stigma and transform disability inclusion. Working with communities, media and policymakers, the project has changed public attitudes, strengthened national policy and enabled hundreds of people with disabilities to participate in sport.
Highly Commended
Amy Cortvriend - Collaboration with Blackbird Community Project
Outstanding Policy Impact, For innovation and achievement in policy impact, translating research insights in accessible ways, and/or thought leadership in these domains
Winner
Emilene Zikus - Digital inclusion and ageing
Emilene’s research has directly influenced national policy on digital inclusion and ageing. She an Expert Exchange Fellow selected to bring expertise in digital inclusive design into the Digital Inclusion and Skills Unit in the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology as referred in the Digital Inclusion Action Plan- One Year On (2026). She has presented evidence to the UK Parliament which shaped the Rights of Older People report (2025), where her work was the most cited contribution in the Digital Exclusion section. She also contributed to Parliamentary briefings and currently works with the on the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in several fronts. Internationally, she holds the British Academy ODA Global Innovation Fellowship, a policy related fellowship, in which she has been working with third sector (Ashoka) to reach and engage with disadvantaged communities in Brazil.
Highly Commended
Dom Willmott - Bias within rape trials
Rising Star, For impact achieved by an early-career researcher.
Winner
Tom Stanton - 50 Years of Litter on Skye
"50 Years of Litter on Skye" led to a short film produced premiered at Loughborough highlighting the issue of coastal pollution on the Isle of Skye and the efforts of researchers and environmentalists who are fighting to keep the beaches clean. It emerged from Tom finding a 50-year-old academic paper which warned about the impact of plastics and rubbish being brought Skye by sea. The NERC funded project was community co-created and found new techniques for mapping polluted beaches, including with drones, to see if the true extent of the rubbish can be measured.
Highly Commended
Chloe Blackwell - Minimum Digital Living Standard (MDLS)
Outstanding Research Impact, For excellence in impact achieved working as either an individual or team of researchers, professional services, external non-academic organisations and other parties.
Winner
Malcolm Cook and Ben Roberts – AIRBODS (Airborne Infection Reduction through Building Operation and Design for SARS-CoV-2)
At the height of the COVID 19 pandemic, society faced a pressing question: how could we safely come back together again? Our AIRBODS research helped answer this question. By developing practical ways to assess airborne infection risk in real buildings, we provided evidence that supported the UK’s safe reopening of large scale events in 2021. Working alongside government and industry, our methods were used at major venues and informed national guidance. This work enabled people to return to shared experiences—from concerts to sport—whilst protecting public health and has changed how buildings are managed to make them safer for the future.
Highly Commended
Marco Pino - RealTalk
Professor Chris Goodier (with RAAC research team: Cavalaro, Gorse, Blay, Hwang, Saad, Blanco) – Shaping Policy for Ageing RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete)