Award
Â鶹ÒùÔº Sustained Contribution to Public Education
Established by Â鶹ÒùÔº Council in 2026, the Â鶹ÒùÔº Award for Sustained Contribution to Public Education recognises individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding and lasting contribution to bringing educational research into public life.
The award celebrates those who have demonstrated sustained leadership in shaping public debate, informing educational policy and practice, and making educational research accessible and relevant to wider audiences.
Particular emphasis is placed on recognising contributions beyond academia, celebrating those who have played a significant role in connecting educational research with the public and ensuring that research knowledge reaches and benefits diverse communities.
Award criteria
Nominees should demonstrate a sustained and significant contribution in one or more of the following areas:
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Public engagement: Contributing to public debates about education and educational research.
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Leadership: Demonstrating sustained leadership in engaging diverse audiences with educational research.
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Long-term impact: Delivering meaningful impact through multiple initiatives over an extended period.
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Policy and practice: Influencing educational policy, practice or curricula through research engagement.
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Wider recognition: Gaining recognition and respect from both academic and non-academic audiences.
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Inclusion and accessibility: Widening access to educational research and making research findings accessible to the public.
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Community engagement: Engaging with underrepresented groups and communities to ensure educational research reaches diverse audiences.
The award recognises the vital role of individuals and organisations in strengthening the relationship between educational research and wider society, celebrating those whose sustained efforts have helped ensure that research informs, influences and benefits public education.
2026 Winner
Integrated Education Fund (IEF), Northern Ireland