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Chancellor Sandie Okoro, Professor KK Cheng, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Tickell

Founders' Awards

Named after some of Birmingham’s most influential figures, these awards demonstrate that their vision of ground-breaking research with local, national and global impact is as alive today as it was when the University was founded in 1900.
Chancellor Sandie Okoro, Professor KK Cheng, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Tickell

These awards recognise the very best academic work in our University. They also provide an opportunity to recognise our outstanding academic colleagues and celebrate their achievements with our most distinguished friends and stakeholders.

Whilst each award will recognise a different area of expertise, all recognise work which has contributed to the advancement of the University’s reputation both nationally and internationally. 

There are four award categories, each recognising a different way that Birmingham is changing how the world works. The categories and award titles were reviewed in 2022 to be more representative and better reflect the breadth of the University of Birmingham's activity. In our 125th Anniversary year, a special award was added for outstanding achievement.

The 125 Anniversary Award for Outstanding Contribution

This was a special award given to celebrate our 125th Anniversary. The award recognised ambitious and progressive work, shaping a legacy of driving change, shaping society, and pushing boundaries to address global challenges.

Hear from the award winner, Professor KK Cheng

The Joseph Chamberlain Award for Educational Advancement

This award recognises the work of an outstanding academic whose contribution to the education of our students has had a major impact on student outcomes and experience at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Hear from last year's award winner, Dr Sabena Jameel

The Rose Sidgwick Award for External Engagement and Impact

This award recognises academic activity that has created meaningful change at a civic, national or international level through demonstrably delivering societal benefits, whether economic, social, environmental or cultural.

Hear from last year's award winner, Dr Edward Day MBE

The Florence Price Award for Outstanding Early-Career Academic

This award recognises the work of an outstanding early-career academic whose research has international significance and is breaking new boundaries, placing their research and the University at the global forefront of their discipline.

Hear from last year's award winner, Dr Mingchao Liu

The Josiah Mason Award for Academic Advancement

This award recognises academic activity that has significantly advanced the discourse or understanding within a specific academic area. The work should have national or international significance.

Hear from last year's award winner, Professor Andrew Beggs