Historic Fourth Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Cranfield

Cranfield University is delighted to announce that, for the fourth time in its history, it is the proud recipient of a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize.

The University has received the honour in recognition of its education and research on water and sanitation for developing countries.  Over a 25-year period, Cranfield’s has pioneered improved water services benefiting the quality of lives and livelihoods in the most impoverished parts of the world. 

Sir Peter Gregson, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield, said: “The Queen’s Anniversary Prize is marvellous recognition for the University’s pioneering research and education in this area. I pay special tribute to our staff, students and alumni together with our partners in government and business, who have been instrumental in developing improved water services in developing countries. Their work is having a profound impact on people’s lives in communities around the world.”

Simon Pollard, Cranfield’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Energy, Environmental Technology and Agrifood, said: “We are absolutely delighted. The Award acknowledges the contributions of a multitude of academic, technical and support staff.  The University has routinely, without fanfare or celebration, positively influenced the lives of millions of people in small but extraordinary ways.  Over the years, we have trained 500 professionals in the thinking and practices needed to deliver safe water and sanitation to the world’s poorest communities and had a significant influence on international policy and practice.”

Jo Johnson, Minister for Universities and Science says:  “The UK is a world leader in science and research and The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes celebrate the achievements of our universities and colleges. The outstanding academics recognised with these awards bring benefits to the everyday lives of millions of people in the UK and deserve this high honour for their work.”

Cranfield Water Science Institute has an international reputation for its transformational research and teaching in the science, engineering and management of water in the municipal, industrial and natural environments.

Cranfield is a founding member of Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor and it is estimated that, to date, the organisation has helped provide over one million people with clean drinking water, and some 400,000 with improved sanitation.

The University has pioneered innovative WCs (in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), helped to prioritise the water and sanitation needs of women and girls in less developed countries and contributed to the formation of water safety plans for several countries including Malaysia, Nigeria and India. 

The University has also been involved in improving the management of public utilities for slum dwellers through private/public partnerships supported by the Department for International Development (DfID).

Cranfield has won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize on three previous occasions:

• in 2011, for its world-leading work in aviation safety through research and training in air accident investigation, which has made a major contribution to international aviation safety;
• in 2007, it was recognised in for its international role in humanitarian demining; through integrated training programmes, consultancies and in-country support the University played a unique role in developing sustainable national capacities in landmine clearing - and;
• in 2005, for its Fellowship in Manufacturing Management; a unique and innovative programme designed for strategic-level managers with careers in the manufacturing industry.

The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes are awarded every two years to universities and colleges who submit work judged to show excellence, innovation, impact and benefit for the institution itself and for people and society generally in the wider world.  They are the UK’s most prestigious form of national recognition open to a UK academic or vocational institution.

The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for higher and further education for 2014-2016 were announced at a ceremony at St James’ Palace in London tonight and their presentation will take place at an  awards ceremony at Buckingham Palace in February 2016.