Children don't usually get to design and undertake research outside their school classrooms. They certainly don't usually see their findings shaping government policy, or change the way society views an issue of importance to young people, rather than to the adults who typically run the show.
Teaching excellence runner up: University of Bristol
With schools increasingly finding practical experiments expensive to run and difficult to assess, university students, it seems, are losing the chance to develop their lab skills to the level required by higher education science programmes.
The problem, recalls Bristol University head of chemistry, professor Nick
Committment to widening participation winner: University of Wales, Newport with the University of Glamorgan
The Heads of the Valleys region has the largest concentration of wards designated as 'most deprived' in Wales. High unemployment, poor health and low levels of educational attainment mean people in the area face huge barriers if they want to improve their lives or contribute to
Commitment to widening participation runner up: University of Sunderland
Given the disruption they often experience to their education, it's hardly surprising that looked after children find it hard to get the grades required to go to university. Even considering higher education as a feasible option can be hard for a teenager about to enter adulthood
Contribution to local community runner up: University of Plymouth
For the last four years, charities in the south west that need help with any aspect of their work have been able to look to Plymouth University academics for in-depth analysis of an issue, and then apply for a community research award to bring that