Queen's Anniversary Prizes
Loughborough University is among the most highly decorated institutions, having received seven prestigious awards.
The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes are the highest national honour awarded to educational institutions. They are granted by the Monarch biennially, and “celebrate excellence, innovation and public benefit in work carried out by UK colleges and universities”.
The Prize scheme sits within the UK’s national honours system and recognises achievement that is “outstanding in quality, innovative or ground-breaking and above all is producing clear and active public benefit”.
They are presented by a senior member of the Royal Family at an investiture ceremony, usually held at Buckingham Palace.
Loughborough's Queen’s Anniversary Prizes
Loughborough was among the first cohort of winners when the Prize was launched in 1994. The Prizes recognise research that is making an impact in the world – shifting policy, advancing technology, developing and enhancing industry.
Holding seven Prizes is testament to the strength, relevance and real-world applications of our research and the people who deliver it.
Research and skills development in High Value Manufacturing creating new products, processes and economic growth
Prize winner: 2013
The University is an acknowledged leader in the field of High Value Manufacturing (HVM). Our exceptional research, teaching and industry partnerships help to drive the development of HVM across multiple sectors.
Our work supports a range of emerging and growing technologies – including additive manufacturing, regenerative medicine, and sustainable design and manufacture – while ensuring a pipeline of highly qualified and skilled engineering graduates. Our contribution to HVM helps to create the economic growth, new jobs and technological advantages that ensure the UK remains globally competitive.
Reducing road traffic deaths: vehicle, road and driver safety research
Prize winner: 2007
Our applied research in this field has made an outstanding contribution to international policies aimed at reducing injury and deaths caused by road traffic accidents.
The work has led directly to improved safety measures, better road and motorway design, and new accident data collection processes. It has uniquely highlighted a major cause of road accidents – driver sleepiness – creating recognised impact via driver countermeasures and increased education campaigns. Ongoing research with global significance includes the reduction of HGV blind spots and intelligence-led road safety systems.
Enhancing social policy nationally
Prize winner: 2005
Our contribution to social policy through innovative research is an outstanding example of how academic excellence can be applied to deliver widespread benefit. By unravelling complex and difficult issues, we help social policy practitioners to appropriately address the needs of previously neglected groups, such as young carers (a key cohort within this Prize submission).
In 2023, our Centre for Research in Social Policy celebrated 40 years of addressing issues related to poverty, living standards and income adequacy – creating substantial impact both in the UK and overseas.
Sports development, education and research
Prize winner: 2002
We have an international reputation in sports performance and science. Our alumni are influential in many areas – as athletes, coaches and managers; researchers and teachers; in sport and leisure management; and within the sports industry, including with national and international sports governing bodies.
We were the first university to offer an honours degree in Sports Science and a Masters in Recreation Management – and have since developed a broad portfolio of sports-related programmes. Our world-leading research spans youth sport; physiology, nutrition and sport fitness testing; rehabilitation, health and well-being; biomechanics modelling; equipment safety testing and product development; and disability sport.
Optical engineering: applications and knowledge transfer
Prize winner: 2000
Our Optical Engineering Group has long specialised in applying modern optics and laser technologies to solve challenges across a variety of engineering applications – spanning manufacturing, health and safety, medicine, defence, entertainment and the arts.
We have developed numerous novel techniques including high-power laser applications, component manufacture, and high precision non-contact measurement of dynamic movements – helping our partners to remain competitive and effective. Our PhD students play a vital role in our research, and many move on to become key players in industry.
International development engineering: teaching, training, research and consultancy for developing countries
Prize winner: 1998
The University has a long history of excellence in the field of Development Engineering, and has broad expertise in the provision and management of sustainable infrastructures for developing countries. At the time of the award, the focus was on teaching, research and consultancy in more than 65 countries, particularly via our Water and Engineering Development Centre (WEDC, established in 1971).
Our Masters programmes, diploma and short courses – for both engineers and non-technologists – ensure a pipeline of development professionals who form a supported global network for knowledge exchange and expertise.
Partnership with the aerospace and other industries
Prize winner: 1994
Our innovative alliances with aerospace and automotive companies – particularly British Aerospace (BAE) and Rolls-Royce – have created an exemplary model for academic collaborations with industrial partners.
By applying our pioneering research to a range of engineering design and manufacturing challenges, we have created numerous unique and patented solutions that enhance both vehicle efficiency and company productivity. Our Systems Engineering undergraduate programme – the first of its kind when launched – provides the essential knowledge, skills and expertise required by an ever-evolving industry.