Glasgow Caledonian scoops Research Project of the Year Award
Glasgow Caledonian University’s Blood Borne Virus (BBV) Prevention Team won the prestigious Research Project of the Year Award at The Herald Higher Education Awards last night (June 1).
The Awards celebrate the extraordinary work being carried out in universities and colleges across Scotland and is run by The Herald newspaper. The Research Project of the Year was sponsored by the Scottish Funding Council.
Professors Sharon Hutchinson and Claudia Estcourt, and their Blood Borne Virus Prevention Team in the School of Health and Life Sciences’ Research Centre for Health (ReaCH), is at the forefront of international work to reduce the impact of HIV and other blood borne viruses.
Their ground-breaking research into patterns of infection and how to prevent them is key to achieving the Scottish Government's ambitious target to end transmission of HIV in Scotland by 2030.
Two other amazing projects were shortlisted for Herald Awards – The Scottish Cold Case Unit for the Partnership Award, and the MINT (Mentoring, Internships, Networking & Talks) programme for the Enhancing Student Learning Award.
The University’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Steve Decent said: “It’s fantastic that the work of our Blood Borne Virus Prevention Team has been recognised with the top Research Project of the Year, and that we were nominated for two further awards. Huge congratulations must go to all those involved in this crucially important research, together with those in the Scottish Cold Case Unit and MINT programme. Each are delivering real benefits to the communities we serve.”
Professor Hutchinson said: “I’m thrilled that our BBV research team has won this prestigious award. It is in recognition of the great strides that have been made in Scotland to prevent HIV transmission and the importance of research and innovation to that effort, involving developing services to reach those most in need and often most marginalised in society.”
Both Professors Hutchinson and Estcourt paid tribute to key research partners, in particular those who attended the awards ceremony including our Honorary Professor Rak Nandwani and Dr Ceilidh Grimshaw, Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV in NHSGGC, as well as other NHS boards, Public Health Scotland and third sector organisations.
Professor Estcourt added: “We are immensely proud to have our team’s decades of work in HIV prevention recognised with this prestigious award. It has been a huge team effort, drawing on strong partnerships with community groups, academia, public health, and most importantly, the people who stand to benefit most from HIV prevention”.
Dean of the School of Health and Life Sciences Professor Anita Simmers said: “This is a fantastic achievement. We are all so immensely proud of the BBV team’s truly world leading research demonstrating impactful results. Very well deserved.”
ReaCH Co-Directors Professors Carol Emslie and Frederike Van Wijck added: “We are delighted that the world-leading research of Professors Hutchinson and Estcourt, and their team, has been recognised by this prestigious award. This is an excellent example of how the GCU Research Centre for Health improves health and well-being for all and transforms evidence into action.”
Professor Andrea Nelson, Interim Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor said: “We are absolutely thrilled at receiving the Research Project of the Year award for the fantastic work by our Blood Borne Virus Prevention Team.
“They have achieved this by establishing an ambitious goal, building a great team of world-class researchers and clinicians, and by working in true partnership with Public Health Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and partners. We are immensely proud of the research and its outstanding impact, and are delighted that this was recognised by the Herald awards.”
Photo left to right - Scottish Funding Council Chair Mike Cantlay, Dr Ceilidh Grimshaw, Honorary Professor Rak Nandwani, Professor Sharon Hutchinson, Professor Andrea Nelson and host Bryan Burnett.