In my last newsletter of this academic year: a review of the University strategy; funding under the Prosperity Partnerships programme; UNESCO day at the University; the summer graduation ceremonies; and a look back at the year.

Reviewing our University strategy

Each year we review the University strategy, Creating Better Futures. Together, to assess whether it remains relevant and appropriate. A summary of the broad conclusions from this year’s review, which was undertaken in consultation with the University Executive Board and the Professional Services Leadership Teams, was considered at University Council earlier this month.

Three overarching priority areas have emerged from our discussions to date.

• We must enhance the Loughborough Student Experience and maintain our leading UK ranking, to support our student recruitment.   
• We must grow our research power for REF29, which will put us in the best possible place for research income generation and impact.    
• And we must protect our sport USP (unique selling point) to raise Loughborough University’s global profile and give us a competitive edge over other institutions.

Further discussions are taking place to develop a three-to-five-year delivery plan that will be considered by Council in October and Senate thereafter.   

As I imagine you are already aware, there are a number of significant challenges facing the UK higher education sector at this time, including rising costs, stagnant undergraduate home student fees and fewer international students. Loughborough University is not immune to these pressures and so we have reviewed the trajectory and deliverability of our strategy in the context of these challenges.   

Given the sectoral challenges, it is important that we are able both to secure our financial sustainability and preserve our distinctive strengths. I believe that Loughborough is better placed than many others to do both of these things, but we cannot afford to be complacent.

Put simply, the funding assumptions that underpinned our strategy when it was approved in 2022 have not materialised. So, we must be realistic about the resources we have available and the timescales we need to deliver the key performance indicators (KPIs) in the core plans. Our strategy remains the right direction of travel for the University but we cannot continue to deliver everything at the pace and intensity we originally planned. We will have to be prepared to take difficult decisions to focus our efforts on a smaller number of priorities and this means that some KPIs will have to be delivered over a longer period than originally planned.   Given the work underway to develop the plan, and the exceptional commitment shown by staff across our two campuses, I am confident that we can face the coming academic year with optimism. Our student experience and the pedigree we have in sport set us apart from others in the sector, and we must take full advantage of that. We will also continue to grow our research and innovation prowess for REF29. This increased focus will enable us to concentrate on growing our income, maximise appropriate new opportunities as they arise, and make sure we’re operating as efficiently as we can. By making these choices about what to prioritise, focusing our efforts and being sensible with both our time and resources, we will have a bright future.

Funding received for new research centre

I was delighted to hear this month that we have been awarded funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), as part of its Prosperity Partnerships programme, to establish the Centre for the Decarbonisation of Heavy-duty Power Systems.

The Centre will be led by Professor Adrian Spencer from the School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering, in partnership with Perkins Engines, and will focus on reducing, and ultimately eliminating, greenhouse gas emissions from the heavy-duty vehicle sector.

It will look at the use of alternative fuels including hydrogen and synthetic e-fuels such as methanol and ethanol. It aims to optimise engine efficiency for alternative fuels, while reducing emissions, and enhancing material durability and performance, aligning strongly with our Climate Change and Net Zero strategic theme. The EPSRC has invested £41million in this latest round of projects, matched by a further £56 million from business and academia. Each of the projects funded under the Prosperity Partnership scheme is co-created and co-delivered with UK business partners, bringing together world-class expertise from businesses and academia to turn research into practical solutions that can make a difference in people’s lives – a fundamental objective of our Partnerships strategic aim.

UNESCO day held at the University

At the start of July the University hosted an event to celebrate UNESCO’s global mission, bringing together researchers, staff, students and policymakers from the University, UNESCO, the UK National Commission for UNESCO (the central hub for UNESCO-related matters in this country) and the UK Government. 

The event was organised by the University’s Institute of Advanced Studies and showcased the work of the three UNESCO Chairs based at Loughborough. Loughborough now holds more UNESCO Chairs than any other UK university: Professor Mike Wilson, who was appointed in June as UNESCO’s first ever Chair in Storytelling Education for Sustainability; Professor Qiuhua Liang who is the UNESCO Chair in Informatics and Multi-hazard Risk Research; and Professor Richard Giulianotti, who is UNESCO Chair in Sport, Physical Activity and Education for Development.   UNESCO Chairs provide expert insight that helps to shape UNESCO’s strategy and influence global policy development. The diversity of our UNESCO Chairs is testament to the quality and vibrancy of our research culture at the University and contributes to our strategic aim to foster collaborative research and international networks.

Achievements recognised with Honorary Doctorates and University Medals

Earlier this month we welcomed thousands of our 2025 graduates, their families and friends to the University for our summer degree congregations. It’s always wonderful to see the campus so alive with celebration. I know that the ceremonies are the culmination of a lot of hard work by many teams across the University. Thank you for everything you do to make them so special for all those involved. 

The graduation ceremonies are also an opportunity for us to honour the achievements of people who have made a significant contribution to the University or to fields the University has links with. 

This summer we presented Honorary Doctorates of the University to seven individuals whose achievements align with our strategic aims, themes and values. 

On Tuesday we recognised Thomas Heatherwick CBE, one of the UK’s most prolific designers, whose work is characterised by its originality and inventiveness; Carol Leeming MBE, the Leicester-based, multi-award-winning artist and advocate for equity; and Loughborough alumnus Colin McFarlane, an actor, narrator and director who has used his platform and profile to promote men’s health awareness. 

The following day we awarded Jason Wilsher-Mills MBE with his honorary degree. Jason is a world-renowned artist and storyteller, and an influential disability activist. On Thursday we honoured Pia Sinha, the first Asian woman to become a prison governor in England and Wales and now Director of the Prison Reform Trust. 

We also recognised two Paralympic champions, Emma Wiggs MBE and Jessica-Jane Applegate MBE, in recognition of their outstanding sporting achievement and significant contributions to disability sport. Emma is a three-time Paralympic gold medallist in Paracanoe and a passionate campaigner to improve sport for disabled athletes. Swimmer Jessica-Jane made history by winning gold at the London 2012 Paralympics in a Games record time and is a powerful voice for neurodiversity. 

At the ceremonies we also awarded University Medals to seven members of the University community in recognition of their exceptional service, dedication and leadership across the University and beyond. 

Anne Cato, Loughborough Students’ Union Action Coordinator, has played a pivotal role in establishing LSU Action as one of the most active and wide-ranging student volunteering programmes in the country. Professor George Havenith from the School of Design and Creative Arts, and Professor Marsha Meskimmon, former Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies, have both helped to elevate Loughborough’s research profile. 

Graham Herring from the Research and Innovation Office is a tireless volunteer with the University’s and local community football clubs. Will Relf has cared for our outdoor sports grounds for more than 20 years. Alumnus Mark Sismey-Durrant has served as Pro Chancellor of the University, President of the Alumni Association and chaired various University committees; and Jane Snape from IT Services has helped to ensure that we remain at the digital forefront of higher education during her dedicated 34 years of service at the University. 

Congratulations to them all on their awards.

A look back at the academic year

Towards the end of each academic year we hold the Senate and Council dinner, which provides an opportunity for us to reflect on our achievements over the past 12 months. You can read the summary of some the highlights from the past year that I mentioned in my speech at the event. 

Since I gave my speech, I’m delighted to say that Loughborough has again won the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) title, for a 44th consecutive year. Congratulations to all our student athletes and the coaches, support staff and volunteers who support them. 

While the summer may afford some of us a little time to breathe, I know that many of you are currently working incredibly hard for Confirmation and Clearing. Thank you in advance for all your work at this particularly demanding time of year.   Whatever you are doing over the coming weeks, I hope are able to enjoy the summer. 

Wimbledon win

Loughborough-linked duo Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash made history at Wimbledon by becoming the first all-British pair to win the men’s doubles title for 89 years. Their Wimbledon victory followed titles at Queen’s Club Championship and the Eastbourne Open.

Jet engine research

Loughborough University is joining forces with leading academics from Oxford University, Imperial College London, and King’s College London to develop hydrogen-powered jet engines. The £9.5 million project, backed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), aims to transform aviation by achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Conference on campus

Last week we welcomed more than 500 visitors to campus for the TUCO Summer Conference. TUCO is the leading professional membership body for in-house caterers in higher and further education and the public sector. I was honoured to give the welcoming address at the event, joining high profile speakers such as the former government communications director, Alastair Campbell, and the maître d’hotel, Fred Sirieix. Using our campus to host events such as this not only allows us to showcase the University but crucially also provides opportunities to diversify our income streams.