SHU press release
Sheffield Hallam University’s regional social mobility partnership, South Yorkshire Futures, and its Transforming Lives Strategy have both been shortlisted at the Times Higher Education Awards 2019.
The sector-leading initiative has been shortlisted in the ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community’ category, while the University strategic planning team have been shortlisted in the ‘Outstanding Strategic Planning Team’ category.
The awards, often referred to as the Oscars of higher education, will take place in London this November.
South Yorkshire Futures is a collaborative partnership, bringing together three distinct strands to improve social mobility from all sides: addressing the attainment gap, improving the recruitment and retention of teachers, and increasing progression to higher level skills and education.
Examples of current South Yorkshire Futures projects include working alongside Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis MP and Sheffield Children’s University to roll out the initiative across the region, as well as leading the £1 million Early Outcomes project, in partnership with the four local authorities to improve early years speech and language skills.
Transforming Lives was launched in 2017 as a new University-wide strategy, with a vision to make Sheffield Hallam the world’s leading applied university.
It has led to fundamental changes to every aspect of the University.
Greg Burke, Director of South Yorkshire Futures, said: “We are extremely proud that our dedication to collaborative working, regional leadership and building stronger communities has been recognised by the THE Awards.
“South Yorkshire Futures continuously strives to bring together every voice in our region, facilitating positive conversations and actions to improve support, opportunities and progression for every child and young person.
“We passionately believe in ensuring young people have every opportunity to be the best they can be. Being shortlisted for this award recognises the real on-the-ground impact we are having in our local community.”
Linda Mason, Director of Strategy, Planning and Insight at the University, said: “We’re delighted to be nominated for this prestigious award. It reflects the hard work and commitment of the team and colleagues across the University. Our strategy outlined an ambition to be ‘the world’s leading applied university’ and we’re pleased that all the indicators show we are moving towards this vision.
“The numbers of students in highly skilled employment or further study continues to increase. Sheffield Hallam is now in the top five institutions in Europe for student rating for ‘applying learning to the real world’, student satisfaction levels are ever increasing and in two consecutive years, the University has climbed 30 places in the Guardian University Guide to 55th place.”
John Gill, Editor of Times Higher Education, said: “The Times Higher Education Awards hold a place in the hearts of many in UK higher education and have now been a fixture in its calendar for well over a decade. This will be the biggest celebration of higher education that we have ever hosted.”
For press information: Laura Burden in the Sheffield Hallam University press office on 0114 225 5301 or email l.s.burden@shu.ac.uk
