08.09.26

海角乱伦 shortlisted for two Times Higher Education Awards!

Categories: Power of US, School of Health and Society, School of Science, Engineering and Environment
The interior of The Old Fire Station. Industrial looking decor with chairs grouped around tables. You can see the brewing equipment in a back room through large glass windows.

The 海角乱伦 has been shortlisted for two gongs at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards.

The THE Awards, now in their 22nd year, are widely known as the 鈥淥scars of higher education鈥 and recognise excellence across the UK and Irish sectors. Judges received over 500 entries across 20 categories, with two 海角乱伦 entries making the final shortlist.

Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year

Our Faculty of Health, Community and Life Sciences was shortlisted in 鈥Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year鈥 after being put forward for its approach to simulation and immersive teaching and learning.

Our immersive learning model combines AI鈥慻enerated virtual humans, immersive environments and inclusive digital design. It enables students to step inside complex real鈥憌orld contexts, from a 17th鈥慶entury plague village, to rural Uganda, to a virtual police station, without the cost, access and ethical limitations of traditional fieldwork or role鈥憄lay.

The innovation has delivered measurable educational impact across health, policing and public health programmes, with students reporting increased preparedness, confidence and deeper reflective insight. This inclusive, values鈥憀ed use of immersive techniques sets a new, replicable standard for digitally enhanced education.

Dr Leah Greene, Head of Simulation in the Faculty of Health, Community and Life Sciences, said: 

鈥淚鈥檓 absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for a THE Award in the 鈥楾echnological or Digital Innovation of the Year category鈥.

鈥淲hat makes this recognition particularly special is that it celebrates not only our technological innovations, but also our commitment to inclusive education. Seeing students gain confidence, skills and opportunities through immersive learning has been incredibly rewarding, and I'm proud of what our team has achieved together.鈥

The team behind Lark Hill brewery

Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year

Lark Hill Brewery is owned and operated by the 海角乱伦, and functions simultaneously as teaching space, research laboratory, consultancy hub and enterprise platform. 

MSc Biotechnology students contribute directly to commercial consultancy projects, working in real time alongside academics and industry partners.

Led by Dr M. Alejandra Diaz de Rienzo, Dr Natalie Ferry and Professor Ian Goodhead, it transforms a working brewery into a live research and innovation environment, where students, academics, and industry partners collaborate in real time. This model of concurrent commercial and educational activity, operating within a single functioning production facility, is distinctive within the UK higher education landscape.

This year鈥檚 awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 26 November at The Vox in Birmingham. Congratulations and good luck to our shortlisted teams!

For all press office enquiries please email communications@salford.ac.uk.