Our institute won one top award and was highly commended for a primary school outreach project at the Educate North Awards 2025 event, which took place in Manchester last night (Thursday 3 April).
University/PHD Student Achievement of the Year: Alexia Lopez – Alexia was chosen for her groundbreaking discoveries, significant impact, and impressive profile within the scientific community. With clear evidence of her contribution to science, she stands out as a transformative leader, poised to inspire the next generation. Judges even suggested she could be the next Brian Cox!
STEM Initiative Award: Space in Schools and STEMFirst (Dr Joanne Pledger) – This entry was selected as highly commended for its innovative approach to engaging primary school pupils in space science through dance, which effectively makes STEM subjects more accessible and exciting. The project, led by JHI’s Dr Pledger, successfully combines creative resources, teacher training, and STEM ambassador involvement to create a lasting impact, particularly addressing the primary school STEM gap in the North-West.
The Educate North Awards is a prestigious awards event which celebrates, recognises and shares best practice and excellence in the education sector in the North.
The 2025 event was hosted by the University’s Chancellor, Ranvir Singh, and attracted hundreds of education professionals from Further and Higher Education institutions from across the North.
Abhilasha Jones, Clinical Lead in IPE, Sue Smith, Director of the Centre for SME Development, Alexia Lopez, PHD student, and Dr Joanne Pledger, Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics.
Chancellor Ranvir Singh (centre) with the winners and shortlisted colleagues.
The event hall (Photo Credit: https://educatenorth.co.uk)
The UCLAN group celebrating our success (Photo Credit: https://educatenorth.co.uk)
JHI’s Alexia Lopez (middle) accepts her award (Photo Credit: https://educatenorth.co.uk)