University of Warwick celebrated multiple shortlist nominations at THE Awards 2025

International Collaboration of the Year:

Marco Polo International Programme

To mark the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death, University of Warwick led the Marco Polo International Programme – a major global collaboration involving 36 partner institutions. The initiative celebrated intercultural exchange through research, education and public engagement, reinforcing Warwick’s leadership in international collaboration.

Professor Michael Scott, Pro Vice Chancellor (International) said, “I am delighted that the Marco Polo International Programme was shortlisted for THE International Collaboration of the Year amongst such incredible competition. This is testament to the enthusiasm and energy of over 11,000 students, staff, Warwick global network partners and local communities across 18 countries who were involved in bringing this project to life.

“Marco Polo is about much more than celebrating the connected nature of our pasts - it is about creating new global connections for our future, and we are extremely proud at Warwick of what we accomplished in this, our 60th anniversary year.”

Knowledge Exchange / Transfer Initiative of the Year:

Waste2Race

Waste2Race is a hydrogen-powered racing car built at University of Warwick that redefines sustainable innovation and knowledge exchange. Fuelled by hydrogen derived from sewage and constructed using circular economy materials – such as a beetroot-waste wing mirror and a reused battery from a crashed car – this vehicle pushes the boundaries of green performance.

A collaboration between students, researchers, SMEs and national partners, the project offers real-world experience to students and acts as a demonstrator platform for industry.

Dr J Meredith, Chief Engineer at WMG said, “On behalf of all the staff and students at WMG, as well as our industrial partners, I am really pleased to have been shortlisted for the THE Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year award.

“The Waste2Race project was and remains a really exciting project where we can take sustainability ideas from the University and apply them to a high performance racing car. This enables new ideas to be showcased in a way that speeds up adoption. It also gives our students a fantastic opportunity to work on an exciting project that will take them far in their careers. We look forward to testing the car and seeing how the sustainable ideas perform.”

Outstanding Support for Students:

Warwick Mediation

Warwick Mediation is a multi-award-winning, sector-leading peer mediation service that supports student well-being through informal conflict resolution. Established by Jane Bryan, the service offers free, confidential and impartial support to students and provides accredited mediation training recognised by the Civil Mediation Council.

James Donovan, Lead Mediator said, “We’re honoured that Warwick Mediation was shortlisted for this prestigious award. It’s a wonderful acknowledgment of the dedication of our team of peer mediators who volunteer their time and talent to supporting students.

“Being recognised alongside such inspiring initiatives is recognition that the project has helped students create connections and support each other to create positive change. We’re grateful to everyone who has contributed to the success of the service in providing students with invaluable skills that extend beyond their time at the University.”

Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year:

School Tasking

School Tasking is a creative legal outreach programme that uses the format of Channel 4’s Taskmaster comedy game show to inspire Year 5 pupils from widening participation backgrounds. Led by university law students, sessions introduce children to legal thinking through fun, interactive classroom tasks.

Created by Dr Ali Struthers in 2021, School Tasking has grown into one of the UK’s largest widening participation collaborations. In 2024-25, more than 3,500 pupils from 31 universities took part, with a Champion of Champions final hosted by Taskmaster creator Alex Horne.

Dr Ali Struthers, Reader at Warwick Law School and Creator of School Tasking said,

“We’re absolutely delighted that School Tasking was shortlisted for Widening Participation or Outreach Initiative of the Year for 2025 in the Times Higher Education Awards. It’s such an honour for us to be recognised amongst such valuable and impactful widening participation projects. All of us in the School Tasking team extend our warmest congratulations to the worthy winners, Liverpool John Moores University.”