Exeter shortlisted for prestigious THE University of the Year award
The University of Exeter silver awards celebrate the priority given to widening access to higher education and enabling pupils across the region and students to realise their potential regardless of background
The University of Exeter has been shortlisted for University of the Year in the Times Higher Education Awards 2023, it has been announced.
The University secured its place amongst the front-runners for the most coveted award in the prestigious ceremony for its commitment to providing world-leading research, teaching and innovation, to create a greener, fairer and healthier future for all.
The shortlisting also reflects the impact of Exeter’s work has on tackling some of the greatest challenges facing the planet. This includes leading meaningful action against the climate emergency and ecological crisis, leading key breakthroughs to transform human health and wellbeing, and being at the forefront of change to create a fair, socially just and inclusive society.
The University of Exeter was also shortlisted in two further categories in the Awards – for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership and Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community.
Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Exeter said: “We are honoured to be shortlisted for the coveted THE University of the Year award. We are delighted that our whole community approach to the development of our strategy and structures and our delivery of world-leading research, teaching and innovation to create a greener, healthier and fairer future for all, has been recognised through this nomination.
“The University of Exeter is a truly inspirational community, and our students and staff work in partnership regionally and globally to address some of the key challenges facing the world – from the devastating effect of climate change, to the injustices of social mobility and major health issues such as dementia and diabetes.
“We are proud of what we have achieved so far and are excited by the collective ambitions of what we can achieve in the future.“
The shortlisting covers the 2021/22 period during which the University launched its pivotal new Strategy 2030, which centres on the commitment to use the power of Exeter’s research and education to create a sustainable, healthy and socially-just future for everyone.
As part of the process behind Strategy 2030, the University launched the Big Conversation – an initiative to encourage everyone across the community to have their say to help shape the vision throughout the decade. More than 85,000 ideas were submitted and shared as part of this initiative.
The University secured a number of considerable successes at this time – Exeter’s research income grew to £106.8 million, we secured the top ranking in the Russell Group for student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2022, and our World leading research impact grew by 72 per cent in REF 2021 – more than any Russell Group University.
The global impact of Exeter’s research was also recognised through a series of awards and accolades. In 2021, the prestigious Reuters Hot List announced that Exeter is home to five of the most influential climate scientists in the UK, all featuring in the global top 21 places. Exeter is now also the home of the Global Carbon Budget Office, which reports annually on the extent of global carbon emissions and the long-term effect they may have on the planet.
The University also ranked 1st in UK for world-leading research into sports science, first in the world for world-leading research in Theology and Religious Studies and second in Area Studies.
The University is also now home to 34 specialist institutes and centres, including the First Biomedical Research Centre in the South-West region and the pioneering Centre for Social Mobility. Exeter also conducts world leading research for diabetes, dementia and genomic medicine, as well as first-class teaching for health professionals.
The Times Higher Education Awards are open to anyone involved in higher education across the UK and Ireland, and aim to exemplify the talent, dedication and innovation of individuals and teams across all aspects of university life.
The 2023 winners will be revealed at a ceremony in London this December.
