Impact and Benefit
Over our 30-year history, the impact and benefit of winning a Queen’s Anniversary Prize, both to the universities and colleges themselves and in the further progress of their Prize-winning work, have been well recognised.
Impact and Benefit to Prize-winning Institutions
The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes alumni is a rich and diverse community of universities and colleges spread across the four nations of the UK whose work has been recognised within a wide range of disciplines. This recognition of unparalleled work in academic fields including arts and humanities, business and the economy, education, health and medicine, engineering and manufacturing, environment and conservation, pure and applied science, and social sciences, has brought significant benefits to the Prize-winning institutions.
The collective impact of the Prizes across thirty years has significantly and rightly raised the respect with which the UK tertiary education sector as a whole is regarded both at home and abroad. Prize-winners speak about the growth in confidence and self-belief among winning teams, and the collective joy of a win for the whole institution, the knock-on effects of which for students, staff and communities is tangible. The prestige and morale boost that accompany a Prizes’ win is also cited as a significant factor in staff retention and in recruitment of both staff and students.
Universities and colleges are often anchor organisations within communities or regions and the pride and endorsement brought by winning a Queen’s Anniversary Prize is experienced beyond the institution’s walls. The Trust work with Prize-winners to make sure that social media and regional press reflect the significance of the win and are often in touch with Lord Lieutenant’s Offices in each county to encourage their involvement in celebrating and recognising the achievement.
Many Prize-winners feel that their award has given them recognition and a ‘place at the table’ in their specialist field where perhaps they had previously been overlooked. Winners are often asked to share their expertise with government and peers, nationally and internationally as a result of the recognition that the Prizes bring. This not only furthers the benefit and impact of the Prize-winning work itself, but opens up opportunities for professional development for students and staff.
Impact and Benefit to the Wider World
When universities and colleges win a Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the recognition they receive can attract new stakeholders, investors and partners or cement existing relationships. Many Prize-winning universities and colleges report that new philanthropic funding streams or industry partnerships have arisen as a result of their Prize. This is not only of benefit to the academic institution, it also allows the important and impactful Prize-winning work to extend its reach and benefits in the wider world.
In returning to Prize-winning projects after some years or even decades, a direct line between the win and an expansion of the work can be seen, often resulting in clear public benefit. While individual institutions do all they can to make the most of the endorsement the Prizes bring, the Trust also uses its unique convening ability to connect Prize-winners with organisations and individuals who may have interest in supporting their work.