University of Birmingham shortlisted for University of the Year in THE Awards 2026
University of Birmingham secures four THE Awards 2026 shortlistings, including the prestigious University of the Year title.
The University of Birmingham has been shortlisted for the University of the Year award in the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2026.
The University of the Year nomination follows a landmark period for Birmingham, which celebrated its 125th anniversary while delivering record research funding performance, major investment in world-class talent, significant improvements in student satisfaction, and a renewed commitment to its civic mission.
Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Birmingham, said: “To be shortlisted for University of the Year, alongside recognition for the breadth and impact of our research and innovation, is a tremendous achievement for our entire University community.
“These nominations reflect the talent, dedication and ambition of our staff, students and partners, and our commitment to delivering meaningful impact through education, research and collaboration.
"We've invested in students, attracted brilliant academic talent, strengthened our global partnerships, and created new opportunities through culture, innovation and civic leadership."
To be shortlisted for University of the Year, alongside recognition for the breadth and impact of our research and innovation, is a tremendous achievement for our entire University community.
The University of Birmingham has also been shortlisted in three other categories in recognition of its world-leading research, knowledge exchange and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
- Research Project of the Year: STEM
- Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year
- Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Widely regarded as the leading higher education awards across the UK and Ireland, the Times Higher Education Awards celebrate outstanding achievements across universities and recognise excellence in research, teaching, innovation and societal impact across the sector.
University of the Year
The University of the Year shortlist recognises institutions that have delivered exceptional performance and impact across education, research, innovation and civic engagement.
This prestigious nomination follows an outstanding year for the University as it celebrated its 125th anniversary while advancing its ambition to be a globally connected civic university. Key achievements included the launch of the transformative Education 125 programme, record-breaking research awards, with income rising 11% to £228m, major investment in the recruitment of world-class academic talent through its 125th Anniversary Chairs and Fellows initiative, and a renewed civic commitment to Birmingham through the Birmingham Civic Agreement.
The University was recognised as one of the UK's most targeted universities by leading graduate employers and achieved significant improvements in student satisfaction, with a 4.2 point rise in its 2025 National Student Survey results, demonstrating the impact of its continued focus on student success and academic excellence.
Research Project of the Year: STEM
Illuminating the dinosaur ‘dark age’: transformative Jurassic research driving global engagement and impact
The University of Birmingham has been shortlisted for Research Project of the Year: STEM, in recognition of its groundbreaking dinosaur research that is transforming our understanding of the Middle Jurassic period.
The nomination recognises a major collaborative effort involving researchers from the University of Birmingham, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, the Natural History Museum, London, and Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah in Morocco.
The team's discoveries include the internationally renowned 'Dinosaur Highway' in Oxfordshire, one of the largest dinosaur trackway sites ever discovered. The site includes Europe's longest known sauropod trackway, stretching approximately 220 metres, and has captured the imagination of audiences worldwide through extensive media coverage, exhibitions and appearances, including on BBC Two's Digging for Britain.
Meanwhile, the discovery of Spicomellus remains - the unusual, armoured dinosaur nicknamed the “punk rock dinosaur” - is now among the most discussed scientific papers worldwide. The discovery challenged established theories about dinosaur armour evolution and helped establish Morocco's Middle Atlas region as globally significant for Middle Jurassic research.
Together, the 'Boulemane Dinosaur Project' in Morocco and the 'Dinosaur Highway' in Oxfordshire have uncovered new evidence of dinosaur evolution and behaviour dating back more than 160 million years, while generating global public engagement and supporting heritage protection, international collaboration and economic development.
Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year
Enabling evolution for foundational industries: from metal fabrication to green energy
The University of Birmingham has also been shortlisted for Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year for its partnership with Birmingham-based SME KwikFab Ltd to develop a new generation of urban wind turbines. By combining advanced AI-driven engineering design with practical manufacturing expertise, the collaboration created turbine designs tailored to challenging urban wind conditions.
Led by Professor Christopher Windows-Yule and supported by PhD researchers Dominik Werner and Leonard Nicusan, the project has already resulted in a working prototype and the launch of Evolution Turbines Ltd.
Combining KwikFab's workshop experience and practical manufacturing knowledge with the technical modelling, design support and specialist knowledge from the University of Birmingham, it demonstrates how university-business partnerships can turn research into real-world economic and environmental impact.
Leonard Nicusan, from AI design specialists EvoPhase shows a wind turbine design to precision metal fabricators KwikFab.
Outstanding Contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Professional Services Leaders of Colour Programme
The Professional Services Leaders of Colour Programme (PSLC) is a pioneering initiative addressing the underrepresentation of racially minoritised staff in senior leadership roles across Higher Education. Led by the University of Birmingham and delivered in collaboration with regional partners, the programme has already been recognised for its impact, winning a Universities Human Resources (UHR) Award for EDI Initiative of the Year.
The programme was co-created with participants from multiple Universities and Students’ Unions, providing their lived experience and challenges, to inform targeted development sessions, which addressed themes from organisational politics to authentic leadership.
Facilitating a peer network and fostering knowledge exchange, the programme has reduced isolation and increased belonging for racially minoritised senior members of staff across the region, with participants reporting tangible career progress, greater authenticity, and an improved ability to challenge and lead.
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 26 November at The Vox in Birmingham.