Lancaster University has won two major awards in the fields of science and the environment.
The university won the Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year Award in the Times Higher Education Awards 2025.
There were more than 500 entries in 21 categories with the winners were announced at a ceremony held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Lancaster’s winning entry was for 'Quantum Base Q-ID®: Setting a New Global Standard in Anti-Counterfeiting Technology Through Physics Knowledge Exchange'.
Quantum Base became Lancaster University's first spin-out company to float on London's AIM market earlier this year, raising £4.8 million through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).
The award citation from the judges praised Lancaster University’s partnership with Quantum Base as “a true innovation success story and a proud moment for the institution and UK science".
The winning citation from the judges said: “The success is rooted in a powerful long-term collaboration. Lancaster provided world-class research facilities, business expertise and strategic support, while Quantum Base brought vision, drive and commercial investment. Now this innovation is changing lives – protecting medicines, securing global supply chains and helping to combat the £2.8 trillion counterfeiting problem.”
Meanwhile the university has also won a ‘Climate Action’ award at the 2025 Green Gown Awards and national recognition for leadership and innovation in sustainability.
The University won the ‘2030 Climate Action’ (large organisations) category, highlighting its bold commitment to achieving carbon net zero from energy emissions by 2030 and its pioneering approach to decarbonising operations across the Lancaster campus.
The Green Gown Awards, now in their 21st year, celebrate innovation and leadership in sustainability across UK and Irish higher education.
The award was presented at a Birmingham ceremony, which recognised institutions demonstrating measurable progress toward net zero.
This year’s awards saw 112 finalists from 76 institutions shortlisted, with 23 winners and 24 highly commended awards.
Lancaster University impressed judges with several groundbreaking initiatives:
· Net Zero Energy Centre – A government-backed project replacing gas heating with air source heat pumps and thermal storage. Once operational in Spring 2027, the centre will deliver 45 GWh of low-carbon heat annually, enough to heat 95% of campus buildings, virtually eliminating gas use.
· Renewable Energy Expansion – Building on the success of Lancaster’s wind turbine, the University is developing a new solar farm. Together, these projects will significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels and may enable Lancaster to reach its net zero target ahead of schedule.
· Sustainable Procurement – By tracking supplier carbon emissions, Lancaster ensures accurate departmental carbon data and identifies high-emitting suppliers, enabling efficient and impactful changes.
· Integrated Approach – Collaboration across departments and with suppliers ensures alignment with carbon-saving goals. Lancaster has set an industry-first with a whole-life carbon assessment of its new solar farm, influencing wider solar industry practices.
Professor Rebecca Lingwood, interim vice-chancellor, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Gown Award for 2030 Climate Action. We’re proud that this reflects our deep commitment to sustainability and reinforces the bold strides we’re making towards achieving net zero. It honours the passion of our students, staff, and partners who are driving transformative change.”
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