Exeter secures “Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership” prize at THE awards
Professor Peter Cox (centre) receives the Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership award at the Times Higher Education ceremony
The University of Exeter’s commitment to conducting and communicating world-leading climate research has been recognised with a prestigious award.
Exeter secured the Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership prize at the Times Higher Education (THE) awards, held on November 28th 2024.
The awards – known as the “Oscars of Higher Education” and celebrating its 20th anniversary – recognise excellence across the UK and Irish higher education sector.
Exeter’s submission for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership was founded on it being home to more of the world’s most influential climate scientists than any other university, according to Reuters.
At the forefront of Exeter’s work to translate outstanding science into action is the revered work on the Global Carbon Budget (GCB) and Global Tipping Points Report (GTPR), which featured heavily at COP28.
Through the winner’s citation for the award, the judges praised Exeter’s “global reach in communicating high-quality and leading research in environmental science and climate change observation.”
The citation read: “The numbers for the University of Exeter’s vanguard work in translating climate science into action speak for themselves – and to the institution’s ability to speak science to power.
“Exeter’s interdisciplinary approach, with more than 1,500 people now working on green solutions, has led to major collaborations with policymakers, business leaders, philanthropists and the wider public. Their expertise has been shared, sought and cited by the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, New York Climate Week and COP28.
“Universities are a crucial partner for developing a sustainable future, and Exeter’s wider mission to achieve this has strengthened not only higher education leadership in climate policy but also UK climate leadership internationally.”
Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter said: “I am delighted that the University of Exeter has won the THE award for outstanding contribution to environmental leadership. We are absolutely committed to being at the forefront of research to help tackle the climate crisis, and sharing that knowledge with partners, communities and policymakers to create solutions for a more sustainable future for all.
“We are thrilled that the work and dedication of our academic and professional services community has been recognised with such a prestigious award. I would like to offer sincere congratulations to everybody involved in this work, and to the teams and colleagues who were shortlisted in three further categories at the awards ceremony.”
Professor Peter Cox, Director of the Global Systems Institute (GSI) at the University of Exeter, collected the award. Professor Cox said: “It was a huge honour to collect the Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership award, on behalf of the University of Exeter, at the Times Higher Education awards ceremony.
“The award recognises our highly impactful work that has only been possible by combining top quality research with top quality communication. Congratulations to many valued academic and professional service colleagues who made this possible.”
Exeter was shortlisted for a total of four awards for the ceremony. The other nominees were STEM Research Project of the Year; Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community; and Outstanding Marketing and Communications Team.
