Dr Josh Milburn, from Loughborough's Department of International Relations, Politics and History, is among just 30 researchers nationally to receive a 2026 Philip Leverhulme Prize, awarded by the Leverhulme Trust.
The prizes recognise and celebrate the achievements of outstanding researchers whose work has already attracted international recognition and whose future careers are exceptionally promising. Chosen from more than 400 nominations, winners each receive £100,000 to support the advancement of their research.
Dr Milburn received the award in the category of Philosophy and Theology for his work in moral and political philosophy, particularly animal ethics.
His research explores some of the most pressing ethical questions facing society, including our responsibilities towards animals, food systems, environmental issues and the moral implications of emerging technologies.
Commenting on the award, Dr Milburn said: “I am honoured to receive this prize. It is only comparatively recently that political philosophers have started talking seriously about our obligations to animals. A prize like this shows how seriously the academic community now takes these questions; this work, I believe, can have a serious impact beyond the academy, making the world a better place for animals.”
The Philip Leverhulme Prizes commemorate the contribution made to the Leverhulme Trust by Philip, Third Viscount Leverhulme, grandson of William Lever, the Trust's founder.
Professor Anna Vignoles, Director of the Leverhulme Trust, said: “This year marks the twenty-fifth year of the Philip Leverhulme Prizes. For a quarter of a century, this scheme has attracted extraordinarily high-calibre researchers, and selecting only thirty winners is always challenging.
“We are immensely grateful to the reviewers and panel members who help us in our decision making, and we are extremely proud to support these researchers through the next stage of their careers. The array of topics covered by their work is striking, from hyperbolic geometry to the philosophy of physics, educational stratification to the evolution of plant mutualism.”
The Leverhulme Trust is one of the UK's largest all-subject providers of research funding, distributing around £120 million annually to support research and education across all academic disciplines.