Research and Innovation: Recognising Excellence 2025 Winners
On Friday 5 December, the University of Huddersfield was buzzing with excitement as colleagues came together for the Research and Innovation: Winter Festival Awards Celebration - an evening dedicated to recognising the incredible talent that powers our research community.
From ground-breaking projects to transformative collaborations, the ceremony shone a spotlight on the people whose work is making a real difference to society, the economy, and the environment. The room was full of energy and the inspiring success stories kept everyone captivated.
This year’s celebration wasn’t just an awards night - it was a showcase of creativity, impact and collaboration across the University.
Huge congratulations to all our 2025 award winners and nominees! Your passion and dedication continue to drive innovation and make Huddersfield a leader in research excellence.
Jan Herbst - Outstanding Research Project Award
Jan has been awarded the Outstanding Research Project Award for a ground-breaking project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. This work stands out for its originality, academic rigour and significant impact, delivering a suite of innovative, open-access outputs including books, articles, video interviews and an interactive HTML eBook.
These resources enhance accessibility and practical value, benefiting scholars, producers, educators, and practitioners worldwide. Beyond its scholarly contribution, the project has elevated the University of Huddersfield’s reputation and influence in popular music research, setting a new standard for impactful research in the Arts and Humanities.
Simon Parkinson - Innovative Research Award
Simon has been recognised with the Innovative Research Award for his outstanding contributions to Cyber Security. His work has not only influenced UK Government Policy but also introduced ground-breaking detection methods that enhance security in critical sectors such as healthcare and automotive technology.
Widely cited across the research community, Simon’s impact extends beyond academia. Through public engagement and outreach, he inspires future generations of Computer Scientist's, while his research-informed teaching continues to earn praise from students both in the UK and internationally.
This award celebrates Simon’s ability to combine innovation, real-world impact, and education, setting a benchmark for excellence in research.
Phil Hwang & Matt Snell - Best Interdisciplinary Award
Phil and Matt have been awarded the Best Interdisciplinary Award for their pioneering project that empowers rural African communities to build climate resilience. Their work integrates remote sensing, citizen science and policy influence - creating innovative solutions to address critical challenges such as forest conservation, biodiversity protection and wetland degradation.
Through collaboration with NGOs and universities, Phil and Matt have developed methods that combine cutting-edge technology with community engagement, ensuring both scientific rigor and practical impact. This project has not only delivered significant environmental benefits, but also attracted major external funding, demonstrating its global relevance and transformative potential.
This award celebrates their ability to bridge disciplines and deliver research that makes a real difference to people and the planet.
Amanda Firth - Early Career Researcher
Amanda has been awarded the Early Career Researcher Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to maternity research. She is an emerging leader in the field, known for her rigorous, patient-centred approach to improving safety and communication for women and families.
Recently securing a major Wellbeing of Women Grant, Amanda demonstrates how early career researchers can deliver academic excellence with real-world impact. Her work strengthens the evidence base for maternity care and fosters collaboration across disciplines, driving meaningful improvements in outcomes.
This award celebrates Amanda’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and improving lives, marking her as a rising star in research.
Alexandros Nikitas - Impact on Society Award
Alex has been awarded the Impact on Society Award for transformative work in sustainable mobility that has improved lives in Greece and Kirklees. Through innovative, evidence-based transport solutions, Alex has influenced policy, created national programmes for bike-sharing and walking buses and informed electric vehicle infrastructure planning.
This research benefits over five million citizens, promotes healthier, more active communities and is recognised nationally for its real-world impact. By combining academic excellence with practical implementation, Alex’s work demonstrates how research can drive meaningful societal change.
Laura Mateescu - Research Support Staff Team Award
Laura has been awarded the Research Support Staff Team Award for her exceptional dedication and professionalism in supporting the Cultures Of_ programme. Her work goes above and beyond, providing stability, creativity and exemplary organisational skills across a wide range of research, teaching and engagement activities.
Laura has demonstrated outstanding teamwork and reliability, collaborating seamlessly with academic colleagues, external partners, cultural organisations, and community groups. This commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration has significantly strengthened both research delivery and community engagement at the University of Huddersfield.
This award recognises Laura’s passion, adaptability and impact in enabling research excellence and fostering meaningful partnerships.
Stephen Calcutt & Darren Sugden - Best Technical Research Support Award
Darren Sugden
Darren, Technical Services Manager in Computing and Engineering, has been awarded the Best Technical Research Support Award for his outstanding leadership and impact on research growth. He has driven success by leading major funded projects, supporting technical teams and advocating for improved facilities. Darren’s commitment to staff development, ability to maintain continuity under challenging circumstances and strong relationships across the University and with external partners have been instrumental in delivering successful research outcomes.
Stephen Calcutt
Stephen, Technical Manager in Arts and Humanities, receives the Best Technical Research Support Award for his expert and innovative contributions that enhance research across all disciplines. His proactive problem-solving, collaborative approach and unwavering professionalism foster strong teams and ensure smooth project delivery. Stephen’s dedication makes him an invaluable asset and a key contributor to the School’s research success and infrastructure.
