The University of Plymouth has been shortlisted for two prestigious awards at the Times Higher Education Awards 2024.
It is in the running for the Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership category, recognising its world-leading research and leadership in offshore renewable energy.
And it has made the shortlist in the Outstanding Estates Team category, following a period of significant investment and transformation right across the University campus.
These nominations reflect the spirit of ingenuity and innovation that runs through everything we do at the University of Plymouth.
They recognise the work of our world-leading researchers, who are at the forefront of developing and delivering ways to harness the ocean’s power in the quest for clean energy. They also acknowledge the efforts of the team behind the ongoing transformation of our campus, which is ensuring staff and students work, learn and live in first class facilities. Above all, they demonstrate our shared commitment to finding solutions to the planet’s most pressing challenges, at the same time as taking – and inspiring – local and global actions.
Professor Dame Judith Petts DBE
Emeritus Professor
Offshore renewable energy (ORE) is widely acknowledged as being critical to the global net-zero agenda. Through its pioneering research, teaching, facilities, collaborations and influence, the University has earned a place at the forefront of national and international ORE innovation.
Its
Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy
, launched in 2023, is furthering its work in the field while its facilities – including the
UK Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Test (UK FOWTT) facility
and laboratories dedicated to autonomous monitoring and cyber security – are ensuring future installations take advantage of the latest technologies.
Its continued leadership of the national
Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Hub
is allowing the University to unite government, industry and academia beyond common clean energy goals that are driving the UK towards its ambitious net-zero commitments.
Delivering first-rate facilities and opportunities
The shortlisting in the Outstanding Estates Team category recognises the efforts of more than 300 staff working as part of the
Estates and Facilities
Directorate. They cover functions from capital projects, catering and cleaning to student accommodation, security and sustainability.
During the period covered by these awards, their work enabled the University to become only the second in the UK to achieve PAS 2060 carbon neutral verification. They also led the completion of the £100million remodelling of
InterCity Place: facilities for health professions, nursing and midwifery
and the
Babbage Building: where engineering meets design
, and worked with researchers on the
CobBauge Project
Building, a first-of-its-kind showcase of sustainable construction technologies.
Other initiatives include a strengthened commitment to encouraging biodiversity, the increased use of ethically and locally procured food in its cafés, and the sourcing and transporting of an electricity generator to a partner university in Ukraine.
Engaging students, staff, partners and visitors, these actions symbolise a joined-up team approach that enables the University to deliver first-rate facilities and opportunities, while supporting communities and reducing any environmental impact.
The Times Higher Education Awards
Widely recognised as the Oscars of higher education, the THE Awards attract hundreds of entries each year that exemplify the talent, innovation and commitment of individuals and teams across all aspects of university life. The winners will be announced at a ceremony taking place in November 2024 at the ICC in Birmingham.
These awards are a constant reminder that we should never underestimate the dedication and drive of those who work in our universities transforming lives for the better. Our sincere congratulations to all those shortlisted in such a competitive year – it really is an achievement to have reached this stage, and we very much look forward to celebrating with you all at our 20th birthday party in Birmingham in November.
John Gill
Editor, THE
Editor, THE
Read about more of our awards and achievements
- University triumphs at the 2024 Times Higher Awards 29 November 2024
- Success at the double – University's two wins at 2024 Green Gown Awards 14 November 2024
- “I feel included and valued” 17 October 2024
- University shortlisted for two accolades at Times Higher Education Awards 5 September 2024
- University achieves UK first with landmark accreditation for business education 14 August 2024