Challenge projects
The Royal Challenge projects convene Prize-winners to work together on research projects addressing key issues for the sector and the wider world.
The Coronation Challenge (2024)
Launched in 2024, the Coronation Challenge is exploring the role of higher and further education in driving research and skills provision to accelerate growth in UK creative industries. Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as part of the UK government’s Sector Vision Initiative, this research project is led by the 2023 winners of the Prizes in partnership with industry practitioners, creative industry consultants Erskine Analysis and oversight from an expert Advisory Board.
A report with findings and government policy recommendations will be published in early 2025.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Challenge (2022)
The Platinum Jubilee Challenge asked leading UK universities and further education colleges to work together to help their sector reduce carbon emissions to net zero. Sponsored by Department for Education, this research project was led by the 2021 winners of the Prizes in partnership with net zero consultants.
In January 2023, the Trust published the resulting report, “Accelerating towards Net Zero,” an ambitious roadmap for carbon reduction in the tertiary education sector. The report offered a robust profile of the tertiary education sector’s carbon footprint – the first of its kind – using detailed modelling highlighting target areas for emissions reporting and reduction. It also proposed a new Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework designed exclusively for the sector to enable all higher and further education institutions to measure, report and manage carbon emissions.
Read and download the report: “Accelerating towards Net Zero
The report was presented to government in tandem with 14 recommendations for action.
Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan responded as follows: “The fight against climate change is one we will only win if we all work together. The UK’s world-leading higher education and further education sectors are creating a pipeline of talent to fill the key skills gaps that will be vital to our national response to climate change. Institutions from across the UK are working together towards our common goal to be net-zero and I am hugely grateful for their work to date. I also want to thank the Royal Anniversary Trust for their recommendations to both the sector and Government.”
Baroness Barran, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education formally responded on March 27, 2023, encouraging all universities and colleges to adopt the Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework and pledging funding from the department for select recommendations within the report.