University shortlisted for two accolades at Times Higher Education Awards

The nominations reflect the University’s commitment to addressing global challenges and taking local action
Busy campus during Freshers Week
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.

Judith Petts DBEProfessor Dame Judith Petts DBE
Vice-Chancellor

 

Inspiring innovation in offshore renewable energy

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.
THE Awards 2024 - Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership shortlist

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.
THE Awards 2024 - Outstanding Estates Team shortlist
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
Exterior of Babbage Building

Estates and Facilities

Abstract image of a hand holding planet earth with symbols around it. 

Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy

Net Zero

Sustainability: on the path to net zero