University of Warwick Celebrates Multiple Shortlist Nominations at THE Awards

International Collaboration of the Year, Marco Polo International Programme

To mark the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death, the 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.

Highlights included the restoration of a lost 14th-century Silk Road manuscript with Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, global conferences with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and digitisation of Ibn Battuta’s travel writings with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Warwick also launched an interactive AI model of Marco Polo for schools and the public, and brought together 300-plus students from 15 countries in hybrid symposia across Warwick, Venice and Singapore.

The programme fostered new global academic networks, student partnerships and digital tools for learning and discovery.

Knowledge Exchange / Transfer Initiative of the Year, Waste2Race

Waste2Race is a hydrogen-powered racing car built at the 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. It builds on Warwick’s legacy of motorsport innovation, following the success of the 2009 WorldFirst car.

Waste2Race showcases regional innovation while contributing to national net zero goals. The project has attracted new research and development funding, elevated regional manufacturing visibility, and reinforced Warwick’s leadership in applied sustainable engineering.

Through bold design and a commitment to impact, Waste2Race proves that waste isn’t the end of the road – but rather the start of something powerful.

Outstanding Support for Students, Warwick Mediatation

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.

Students gain valuable skills in empathy, conflict management and problem-solving, enhancing both personal growth and employability. The project includes a “Mediation Representative” training pathway and a free online Introduction to Mediation course, also open to students beyond Warwick.

In collaboration with Warwick’s Doctoral College, the service developed tailored resources for postgraduate researchers and supervisors, promoting stronger academic relationships.

Warwick Mediation is shaping sector practice. Professor Bryan chairs the academic forum of the Civil Mediation Council and shares insights at national and international conferences. This innovative initiative builds a more connected and resilient student community while equipping students with life-changing skills for study, work and beyond.

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.

Evaluation shows that pupils’ understanding of law improved from 87 per cent to 94 per cent, with average programme ratings of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Participants also gained legal vocabulary and increased awareness of higher education.

School Tasking is joyful, scalable and genuinely innovative – combining popular culture and academic outreach to widen access to law and university. It’s not just memorable – it’s transformational.