2023 Research Awards
Our Research Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the excellent research taking place across the University that addresses real world problems and improves academic practice.
We received over 50 strong entries from across a wide spectrum of our research and the quality of the work demonstrates just how committed colleagues are to making a difference through their research, despite the challenges we have faced over the last couple of years.
The winners of this year’s Research Awards were presented with their awards at a showcase event and awards ceremony which took place on campus on Tuesday 13 June, along with the recipients of this year’s Research Output Prizes.
This year’s Awards included new categories to celebrate research that addresses real-world problems and improves academic practice. We received over 50 strong entries from across a wide spectrum of our research and the quality of the work demonstrates just how committed colleagues are to making a difference through their research, despite the challenges we have faced over the last couple of years.
Download our 2023 Research Awards brochure to read more about the shortlisted projects or click on the boxes below.
External Collaboration and Partnerships
This award celebrates external engagement and the development of lasting and successful academic and/or non-academic collaborations in research and innovation regionally, nationally or globally.
Winner
Flower-powered farming boosts biodiversity and crop yields
Planting insect-friendly flowers alongside crops is helping smallholder farmers in India improve fruit and vegetable yields while using fewer damaging agrochemicals, thanks to research co-developed by Reading ecologists, alongside Indian...Read More >
Runners-up
Helping multilingual children find their voices
US and Reading teacher educators have joined forces with UK multilingual primary schools to improve teaching for children whose home languages are not English. By coaching teachers to talk less,...Read More >
Teachers share skills with hospital staff
Teaching specialists have teamed up with the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) to create a unique Healthcare Education programme for all staff who teach: doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and pharmacists....Read More >
Openness in Research
This award recognises individuals or teams who have used open research practices to make their research more accessible, transparent or reproducible.
Winner
Volunteers shed light on modernist publishing
The public have joined forces with academics and archivists to transcribe letters written between twentieth century book publishers and authors from The Hogarth Press publishing house, created by Virginia and...Read More >
Runner-up
Measuring ocean biological carbon from space
Climate scientists have a clearer picture of how much carbon is absorbed by our oceans and its implications for climate change, thanks to a new way to measure ocean carbon...Read More >
Public Engagement with Research
This award recognises achievement in research-led public engagement.
Winner
Inspiring action on climate change through engaging science
By raising awareness using positive messages and solutions, a Reading climate scientist is educating and engaging others to inspire action to tackle the causes of climate change. The project has...Read More >
Monsters and myths inspire young audiences
The 'In the Company of Monsters' exhibition, co-curated by University of Reading researchers, engaged young audiences in museum experiences, using mythology and modern reinterpretations to challenge perceptions of difference. Its...Read More >
Promoting the joy of reading and improving children’s literacy skills in Whitley
Children in Whitley Wood are learning about the joy of reading and improving their literacy skills thanks to storybook sessions run by researchers from the Institute of Education at the...Read More >
Flood forecasting makes a splash at exhibition
Scientists from the University of Reading attended the Summer Science Exhibition to talk about the latest research in flood forecasting.
A million explore the world of Stonehenge
The British Museum’s World of Stonehenge exhibition, co-curated by a Reading archaeologist, has given a million people a window into the lives of prehistoric people, through artefacts, soundscapes and events....Read More >
Changing perceptions of disability through film
A project designed to bring the work of experimental filmmaker Stephen Dwoskin to new audiences online is changing attitudes towards disability, accessibility, and art. With cinemas and galleries across the...Read More >
We Make Film: filmmaking, creativity and disability in urban India
An 80-minute feature documentary produced by Reading’s Dr Shweta Ghosh as part of her practice-led research is being used to highlight the urgent need for more inclusive and accessible filmmaking...Read More >
Destigmatising self-injury through art
Through a series of participant-led art workshops, Reading researchers are raising important questions about how we understand and talk about self-injury. Seventeenth-century representations of self-injury in literature and art suggest...Read More >
Tackling air pollution through citizen science
Researchers at Reading are helping communities to breathe healthier air by equipping schools and families with tools and skills to identify and tackle air pollution. More than three million children...Read More >
Professional Development for the Digital Age
With huge caseloads and stretched budgets, it is harder than ever for GPs to keep abreast of the latest developments through traditional routes, such as conferences and journals. This project…Read More >
Runners-up
Inspiring action on climate change through engaging science
By raising awareness using positive messages and solutions, a Reading climate scientist is educating and engaging others to inspire action to tackle the causes of climate change. The project has...Read More >
Monsters and myths inspire young audiences
The 'In the Company of Monsters' exhibition, co-curated by University of Reading researchers, engaged young audiences in museum experiences, using mythology and modern reinterpretations to challenge perceptions of difference. Its...Read More >
Promoting the joy of reading and improving children’s literacy skills in Whitley
Children in Whitley Wood are learning about the joy of reading and improving their literacy skills thanks to storybook sessions run by researchers from the Institute of Education at the...Read More >
Flood forecasting makes a splash at exhibition
Scientists from the University of Reading attended the Summer Science Exhibition to talk about the latest research in flood forecasting.
Let’s talk about hedges
Our beautiful hedgerows support biodiversity, prevent flooding and counter climate change, but half have been lost in recent decades. A team of Reading researchers are informing the public about their...Read More >
Explaining flood forecasts to save lives
Hundreds of people died from disastrous floods in Europe in 2021, despite scientists alerting the authorities days ahead. Reading hydrologists, who designed Europe’s flood warning system, spoke out immediately about...Read More >
Changing perceptions of disability through film
A project designed to bring the work of experimental filmmaker Stephen Dwoskin to new audiences online is changing attitudes towards disability, accessibility, and art. With cinemas and galleries across the...Read More >
We Make Film: filmmaking, creativity and disability in urban India
An 80-minute feature documentary produced by Reading’s Dr Shweta Ghosh as part of her practice-led research is being used to highlight the urgent need for more inclusive and accessible filmmaking...Read More >
Destigmatising self-injury through art
Through a series of participant-led art workshops, Reading researchers are raising important questions about how we understand and talk about self-injury. Seventeenth-century representations of self-injury in literature and art suggest...Read More >
Tackling air pollution through citizen science
Researchers at Reading are helping communities to breathe healthier air by equipping schools and families with tools and skills to identify and tackle air pollution. More than three million children...Read More >
Research Impact
This award recognises individuals or teams who undertake high-quality, creative and innovative engagement and impact activities to address real-world problems and change the world around us, locally, nationally or globally.
Winner
Serving and protecting, everyone
A fresh, evidence-based take on police diversity and inclusion training is tackling prejudice at its root, exploring what motivates staff to change their views and prompting open conversations and understanding....Read More >
Runners-up
In food we trust
If we are to eat more healthily and sustainably, we have to be able to trust the food system. Reading consumer behaviour experts have worked with an EU body and...Read More >
Shaping thought on flexible working
Henley Business School research on how the pandemic has changed uptake of the four-day working week has reached around 82.5 million people through a hugely successful media campaign, establishing Reading...Read More >