University celebrates research and innovation excellence at Beyond Futures Awards

The University of Wolverhampton has celebrated the outstanding achievements of its research and enterprise community at its Beyond Futures Research & Enterprise Awards.

Researchers, academics, partners and guests came together at Grand Station, Wolverhampton on Thursday 8 October for an evening showcasing research, knowledge exchange, enterprise and innovation from across the University.

Around 330 guests registered for the event, with almost half coming from outside the University, and local civic and political representatives were among those attending.

The evening included an opening address from Angela Spence, Chair of the Board of Governors, and a welcome from Vice-Chancellor Professor Ebrahim Adia and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange Professor Prashant Pillai MBE. Sureena Brackenridge MP also addressed guests.

Awards recognised achievements spanning research supervision, public engagement, health and social care, sustainability, inclusive communities, industry and innovation, alongside rising research talent.

The winners were:

• Exceptional Research and Enterprise Partnership: Inclusive Education in Indonesia
• Excellence in Public Engagement: Professor Keith Gildart
• Knowledge Exchange, Enterprise, Industry and Innovation: Engineering Excellence at Scale, Professor Arun Arjunan
• Impact in Green Innovation and Sustainability: Driving Sustainable Smart Innovation, Professor Suresh Renukappa
• Impact in Health and Social Care: Wolverhampton–Somaliland Global Health Partnership
• Impact in Inclusive Communities: Centre for International Development and Training (CIDT)
• Contribution to University Culture, Community and Environment: That’s Me Project
• Excellence in Research Supervision: Dr Jennifer NW Lim
• Rising Star – Postgraduate: Ezekiel Olatunji
• Rising Star – Early Career Researcher: Dr Zeeshan Ahmad

The event also celebrated student research excellence, with awards for best poster and best presentation forming part of the programme.

Professor Prashant Pillai MBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Wolverhampton, said:

“Research and innovation have the power to transform lives, strengthen communities and create new opportunities, and these awards demonstrate the breadth of that impact across the University of Wolverhampton.

“From improving health and advancing sustainability to supporting industry, widening inclusion and engaging our communities, our winners and finalists demonstrate the difference that research and knowledge exchange can make locally, nationally and internationally.

“I am incredibly proud of everyone recognised through the Beyond Futures Awards and grateful to our partners who work alongside us to turn ideas, expertise and research into genuine real-world impact.”

The event was supported by external partners, with category sponsors including City of Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, West Midlands Investment Zone, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, Compton Care, Wolves Foundation, Wolverhampton BID and University of Wolverhampton Science Park. NatWest Bank was the headline partner.

More than 200 professional photographs were produced following the event, capturing the winners, guests and celebrations. These can be accessed on Flickr: Beyond Futures Research and Enterprise Awards 2026