The 2025 Policy Impact and Public Engagement Awards winners

Over the past six weeks, we have been honoured to spotlight the incredible nominees of the 2025 Policy Impact and Public Engagement Awards. These awards, now in their sixth year, celebrate the exceptional efforts of University of Nottingham staff and academics who are making real-world impact, whether by shaping public policy, engaging communities, or opening up research to the public in accessible, inspiring ways.

The different initiatives we have spotlighted in the past weeks have once again demonstrated the extraordinary breadth and quality of work taking place across the University of Nottingham. From shaping policy at different levels to engaging the public in fun and creative ways, and co-creating sustainable solutions with local communities, every initiative reflects a deep commitment to civic engagement, evidence-based solutions, and inclusive impact across all levels.

To all the nominees—thank you for demonstrating vision, rigour, and a deep commitment to creating lasting value. You have shown what is possible when research is driven by purpose, innovation and partnership. There is no doubt that the selection panel faced a difficult task of narrowing a field of outstanding entries. While only a few could be formally selected, we extend our appreciation to all our finalists, every nominee, and every University of Nottingham academic spearheading great initiatives.

Meet the winners

Best Policy Impact Initiative

Award winner: The Scale of Harm Project led by Todd Landman, Albert Nyako-Agyei, Ben Brewster, and Doreen Boyd at the Rights Lab.

Congratulations to the Scale of Harm team, whose ambitious, cross-disciplinary research is influencing policy responses to online child exploitation around the world.

Drawing on new estimates of trafficking and digital harm, the team’s research has directly informed government action in the Philippines, prompting a national directive from the president to intensify interventions. Their findings have also been presented to US legislators considering the Kids Online Safety Act, German policymakers through the ASEAN engagement, and Canadian parliamentarians through the country’s All-Party Group on Human Trafficking.

The team’s approach shows what’s possible when rigorous research meets strategic engagement. Their work continues to build relationships and momentum across borders, laying the groundwork for more coordinated global responses to a critical human rights issues.

Best Public Engagement Initiative

Award winners: Hongwei Bao, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts and Lucy Jones, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts.

We are pleased to announce two worthy winners for this award category. The panel was impressed by both initiatives, recognising the strong evidence of benefits and the thoughtful consideration of both local and national impacts.

Congratulations to both Hongwei Bao and Lucy Jones, whose creative, collaborative approaches to public engagement have amplified underrepresented voices and deepened public understanding of complex social issues.

Professor Hongwei Bao has been recognised for his work on Poetics of Migration, a project that foregrounds migrant experiences through poetry and participatory arts. His work brings people together around themes of identity, belonging and place, and has been celebrated at cultural events across Nottingham. Whether through poetry festivals, community filmmaking or live performances, Hongwei’s projects reflect a deeply embedded, culturally sensitive approach to community engagement.

Associate Professor Lucy Jones has been recognised for Words We Live By, a co-produced guide to LGBTQ+ language, created with and for young people. Distributed across hundreds of organisations and featured in a major exhibition at the National Justice Museum, the guide has reached thousands through print, exhibitions and social media. It’s now being used in professional training sessions to help adults better support LGBTQ+ youth and stands as a model of how inclusive, youth-led engagement can create change.

Rising Star Award: Policy impact

Award winner: Andrea Sartorius, Research Fellow, School of Geography

Congratulations to Andrea Sartorius, whose early-career research is already shaping environmental policy and driving urgent conversations about pollution and public health.

Andrea’s work on trace metal contamination has uncovered the hidden risks posed by mining to water, soil and food systems, far beyond the extraction sites themselves. Her findings have prompted direct engagement with UK policymakers, including a request to present evidence to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, and a commissioned review by UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair (DEFRA) to explore the issue across England.

Andrea’s project has set a strong example of how doctoral research, when effectively communicated and strategically shared, can contribute to policy and public debate.

Rising Star: Public Engagement

Award winner: Blandine French, Senior Research Fellow, School of Psychology.

Congratulations to Blandine French, whose lived experience and research expertise have combined to shape a more inclusive and responsive conversation around neurodiversity.

Through founding the Nottingham Neurodiversity Network and leading public engagement activities across the region, Blandine has helped create space for people with ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions to shape research agendas and share their stories. From innovative resources to accessible survey design, she has brought new energy and insight into how research can centre lived experience.

Her appointment to NHS England’s ADHD Taskforce speaks to the trust and recognition her work has earned. Her contributions are already helping inform national strategy and her inclusive approach continues to model best practice in public engagement.

Best Schools Engagement Initiative

Award winner: Hilary Collins, Scientific Officer, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science.

Congratulations to Hilary Collins, whose long-term dedication to widening participation in science has made a lasting impression on hundreds of young people across Nottingham.

Hilary has led the Pharmacy After School Science Club for over a decade, creating opportunities for children, particularly those from backgrounds underrepresented in higher education, to explore hands-on science in a fun, engaging environment. With the support of more than 50 student volunteers each year, Hilary delivers a five-week programme that blends learning with inspiration.

Her involvement doesn't stop there: she plays an active role in summer schools, science fairs, and discovery days, both on campus and in local schools and youth groups. Her work exemplifies sustained, meaningful engagement with schools and communities, and her impact is reflected in the many young people whose curiosity and confidence in science she has helped to spark.

Institute Award

Award winners: Vicky Brotherton, Policy Engagement Manager, Rights Lab, and Sally Schofield, Laboratory Support Technician, Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre

We are pleased to announce two deserving winners for this award category. Both have demonstrated exceptional impact, consistently going above and beyond the traditional expectations of their roles.

Congratulations to Vicky Brotherton and Sally Schofield, whose contributions have strengthened the University’s research culture and extended its impact far beyond campus.

Vicky has played a vital role in the Rights Lab’s success in engaging policymakers. She has developed and sustained strategic partnerships, contributed to high-profile impact projects, and helped ensure that the Lab’s research continues to inform policy, from parliamentary roundtables to new frameworks addressing survivor wellbeing and risk response. Her leadership behind the scenes has been instrumental in translating research into action.

Sally has helped open up complex science to new audiences through the “Under the Microscope LIVE” programme. Engaging 14- to 18-year-olds with advanced imaging and lab-based learning, she also created a comprehensive set of resources for teachers and students. Her work has expanded access to cutting-edge research while sparking interest in scientific careers, all the while going above and beyond the expectations of her technical role.