Sheffield Hallam University has been awarded two of the most prestigious prizes in the higher education world – collecting the honours at the Times Higher Education Awards 2023
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Widely recognised as the ‘Oscars of higher education’, the awards celebrate the talent, dedication and innovation of individuals and teams across all aspects of university life.
Sheffield Hallam won awards for ‘International Collaboration of the Year’, and for Marketing & Communications Team of the Year’.
International Collaboration of the Year
The University won the International Collaboration of the Year category for its work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on a security platform that has been used to keep UN agency staff safe in some of the world’s most volatile environments, including the current conflict in Ukraine.
The Security Communications and Analysis Network (SCAAN) is a world-leading security platform, used by more than 30,000 staff across six United Nations (UN) agencies working in over 175 countries to enhance staff security.
Developed in partnership by Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre of Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence and Organised Crime (CENTRIC) and IOM, SCAAN uses innovative technology that provides real time alerts for staff on the ground and allows them to report back and signal for help if they are at personal risk.
SCAAN has been used around the world in various critical environments, including: during the World Health Organization’s response to Ebola (2017-18); to support convoy movements in Ukraine (2022); and, more recently, supporting humanitarian interventions following the Turkey-Syria earthquake and staff evacuations during the Sudan crisis (2023).
Professor Babak Akhgar OBE, director of CENTRIC, said: “It is a huge honour to be recognised by the sector for our work on SCAAN. CENTRIC is one of the most advanced research centres of its kind in the world. The fact that we are able to collaborate with global partners like IOM and apply our work to real-world conflicts is not only rewarding, but also hugely important in a time of escalating geopolitical uncertainty. Technologies like SCAAN play an indispensable role in keeping people safe.”
Luc Vandamme, Director of the Office of Staff Security at IOM, said: "SCAAN exemplifies the impact that cross-sector collaboration can have in creating solutions that address real-world issues and provide tangible support to UN staff working in high-risk contexts."
Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Chris Husbands said: “I’m delighted Sheffield Hallam has been recognised for our work on SCAAN, which is a hugely important international project. At a time when international security looks especially fragile, research projects like this one offer tangible solutions to complex problems."
“To win two of the most prestigious awards in our sector is a testament to the talent and dedication of our staff and students. Sheffield Hallam’s vision is to be the world’s leading applied university, and this is an excellent example of applied research in action, having a positive impact on society. We are also a University of place, and the ‘Sheffield. Your University City’ campaign goes to show how our region is at the heart of everything we do.”
Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team of the Year
Sheffield Hallam University also collaborated with the University of Sheffield to win the Outstanding Marketing/Communications Team of the Year category for their joint campaign Sheffield. Your University City.
The two universities worked alongside Marketing Sheffield, part of Sheffield City Council, to develop a sector-first campaign to celebrate Sheffield as a great student city, promoting it as a destination for prospective undergraduate students. The project exceeded targets and has paved the way for further collaboration around student marketing.
Sheffield. Your University City not only highlights the academic opportunities which the Steel City offers, but also profiles how prospective students can expect to live and work in one of the UK’s most affordable and economically vibrant cities.
Jacqui Robinson, Director of Communications and Marketing at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Anyone who has spent time in Sheffield knows how welcoming it is, and how important our universities are to the region. Thanks to this campaign, we have been able to highlight how Sheffield is a great place to study, live and ultimately to start a career – it has been a great success for us, and for our city."
“This project was built on trust, compromise, respect and openness, and that is why it was such a success for both universities. Not only have we shown people around the country – and indeed around the world – the fantastic student experience we offer, we’ve also demonstrated how we collaborate with our partners locally to deliver impactful results for the region.”
Dan Barcroft, Director of Student Recruitment at the University of Sheffield, said: "We are incredibly proud that our innovative and collaborative campaign with our partners has been recognised by this award. Our marketing teams have shown that true partnership to raise the profile of the city amongst prospective students can be really effective."
"Sheffield is such a special and unique city compared to many others in the UK, which is why so many of our students choose to make it their permanent home after graduating. Being able to share what Sheffield has to offer with a wide audience through our campaign has been fantastic."