USA Exchange 2026
A unique Exchange programme building education partnerships between universities and colleges in the UK and USA
The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education: USA Exchange
The year 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the founding patron of the Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education, the highest honour awarded to universities and colleges in the United Kingdom; it is also the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in the USA.
In this historic year, the Royal Anniversary Trust has devised the Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education: USA Exchange, to celebrate and commemorate both Her Majesty’s dedication to education and her tireless commitment to international diplomacy — in particular, the UK’s special relationship with the USA.
The Exchange will bring representatives from eight Prize-winning alumni institutions to Washington DC for a four-day programme in October 2026 to meet with selected US academics who work in similar fields. It is designed to provide opportunities for new transatlantic collaborations and partnerships between UK and US universities and colleges that will have a beneficial legacy in the long term.
During the Exchange, the delegates and their US counterparts will be based at host universities and community colleges within Washington DC. The Trust is delighted to be working with the following partners: American University, Howard University, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA).
Each of the Prize-winning alumni institutions taking part will be represented in Washington DC by two delegates: a senior delegate who is able to speak authoritatively in the field of the Prize-winning work and to initiate potential collaborations or partnerships with your US counterparts in their specialist field and an early career academic or senior student in the same field, who has taken part in or benefited from the Prize-winning programme, and for whom this Exchange could be a transformational opportunity.
USA Exchange Participants
The UK institutions participating in the USA Exchange are all former winners of the Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education. They were selected via a competition open exclusively to Prizes alumni, judged by an eminent panel including representatives from the Trust’s Higher and Further Education Panels.
University of the Arts London
University of the Arts London was awarded a Prize in 2023 for shaping the fashion industry of the future through global leadership and pioneering work in environmental and social sustainability. During the Exchange they will engage with US researchers and practitioners to inform a new wellbeing framework for fashion that can influence policy, guide industry practice, and help redefine fashion as a driver of cultural, ecological, and social justice.
UK delegates: Professor Dilys Williams, Founder and Director of Centre for Sustainable Fashion and Professor of Fashion Design for Sustainability, the University of the Arts London and Claire Swift OBE, Director of Social Responsibility, the University of the Arts London
US delegate: Dr. Elka Marie Stevens, Associate Professor of Visual Culture and Studio Art, Howard University
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh won a Prize in 2015 for excellence in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease, playing a major role in the reduction in death rates through innovative treatments and guidelines. The Exchange is an opportunity for cross institutional and transatlantic collaboration that will accelerate and synergise the investigation and characterisation of coronary and valvular heart disease, enhancing the future management and treatment of these conditions, benefiting patients around the world.
UK delegates: Professor David Newby, British Heart Foundation Duke of Edinburgh Chair of Cardiology, the University of Edinburgh and Dr Neil Craig, Scottish Clinical Research Excellence Development Scheme (SCREDS) Lecturer, the University of Edinburgh
US delegate: Professor Marcelo F. Di Carli, Harvard Medical School
Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier University was awarded a Prize in 2015 for their research in wood science and UK timber construction, reducing the carbon footprint. They plan to collaborate with USA academic partners to implement a strategic alliance in the Push for More Timber in Construction and More Sustainable Forestry.
UK delegates: Professor Robert Hairstans, Head of the Centre for Offsite Construction + Innovative Structures, Edinburgh Napier University and Louise Rogers, BE-ST Impact Manager – Housing and Manufacturing, Edinburgh Napier University
US delegate: Professor Peter MacKeith, Dean, University of Arkansas – Anthony Timberlands Center
City of Glasgow College
City of Glasgow College was awarded a Prize in 2023 for life-saving research into oxygen depletion in enclosed and confined spaces on board ships. This Exchange provides an opportunity to deepen international collaboration with the global maritime sector.
UK delegates: Dr Manhal Alnasser, Lecturer and Research Associate, City of Glasgow College and Benedict Anslow, Project Coordinator, International Blended and Distance Learning, Nautical & STEM, City of Glasgow College
US delegate: Dr Hari Balasubramanian, Associate Professor of Naval Architecture, State University of New York
Keele University
Keele University was awarded a Prize in 2009 for their pioneering early intervention and primary care in the management of chronic pain, particularly back pain and arthritis. The United States is a global leader in technological innovation, including AI and Virtual Reality, and this is what they plan to explore during the Exchange.
UK delegates: Professor Melanie Holden, Professor of Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Keele University and Dr Charlotte Woodcock, Lecturer in Applied Health Research, Keele University.
US delegate: Dr Kelli D. Allen, Research Professor of Medicine, Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Queen’s University Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast was awarded a Prize in 2015 for their Centre for Secure Information Technologies. During the Exchange they will be partnering with Northeastern University’s Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute to advance research, education, and international collaboration in cybersecurity and AI.
UK delegates: Professor Maire O’Neill, Regius Professor in Electronics and Computer Engineering, and Director, Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), Queen’s University Belfast and Dr Niall McLaughlin, Senior Lecturer, Queen’s University Belfast
US delegate: Professor David Luzzi, Senior Vice Provost and Vice President for Business Development, Northeastern University
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) was awarded a Prize in 2017 for a genetics research project showing farmers around the world how selective breeding can significantly increase milk yields, improve economic efficiency and reduce carbon footprint of dairy farming. During the Exchange they will focus on strengthening transatlantic collaboration in livestock genetics, data integration and AI to support sustainable and climate smart food systems.
UK delegates: Professor Mike Coffey, Professor of Livestock Informatics, SRUC and Abby Wells, PhD Student, SRUC
US delegate: Dr Jon Oatley, Associate Dean, Washington State University
UCS College Group
UCS College Group was awarded a Prize in 2023 as the first Further Education college to deliver nursing degrees locally, opening up new career routes for all ages and responding to workforce challenges within the local National Health Service (NHS). Through the Exchange, they aim to share best practice, learn from international partners, and demonstrate the vital role Further Education plays in delivering higher-level health skills within a university-led system.
UK delegates: Mr Andrew Berry CBE, Chief Executive Officer, University Centre Somerset College Group and Lucy Childs, Nurse Educator, University Centre Somerset College Group.
US delegates: Dr Christopher Metsgar, Dean for Academic Success, Health Sciences, Alamo Colleges and Alejandra Bueno, Chief Program Officer for Global Engagement & Learning, Alamo Colleges District
The Royal Anniversary Trust is grateful for the support of its primary sponsor, Amazon Web Services, in this endeavour. We are also pleased to have the support of the British Council; the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Embassy of the United States of America, London.