Kingston University scoops three accolades at the University Alliance Awards

Teams and individuals from Kingston University earned top honours at this year’s University Alliance Awards within three categories. The prestigious awards celebrate the work of staff, students and teams at institutions which are members of the University Alliance. Each award recognises a person or team who have made an outstanding contribution to professional and technical higher education.

The University’s KU Cares team took home the Equity and Opportunity Award, which recognises an individual or team who has developed impactful initiatives to improve diversity, equity and opportunity at their institution.

The KU Cares team were praised for their support for young adult carers. In 2021, the team conducted a collaborative research project with students on the support needs of this group in higher education. The research identified four main challenges – managing responsibilities, navigating university support, financial difficulties and wellbeing impacts.

In response, the KU Cares team further improved the support provided to young adult carers studying at the University. These include a dedicated contact for tailored advice and advocacy, helping students to navigate University processes, as well as internal and external support. They also provide young adult carers with access to flexible paid work opportunities through our KU Cares Connectors and student ambassador schemes, an increased annual bursary based on household income, and access to regular community events such as KU Cares cafes and socials.

A 2024 evaluation found this support is positively impacting young adult carers in the form of higher or similar retention, progression and attainment rates compared with non-KU Cares students.

Among the Kingston University individuals to be crowned a winner at the University Alliance Awards is Ifrah Mussa who scooped the Doctoral Training Alliance (DTA) Alumni Award. Since starting her DTA-funded PhD in 2017, Ifrah has demonstrated innovation and helped build a sense of community among fellow researchers. While completing her PhD on wind turbine icing, she continued her full-time role as a senior lecturer in aerodynamics where she led three undergraduate modules - each with over 100 students - and supervised postgraduate researchers.

Ifrah’s passion for student-led research has seen her drive major funding successes to support a range of research projects and studentships. In July 2024, Ifrah received the University’s Provost’s Award for Learning and Teaching Excellence, receiving funding which she has used to supervise a postgraduate project on owl-wing inspired aeroacoustics for drones. In January 2025, she also secured funding from the Women in STEM Hub to lead a cutting-edge study into sharkskin-inspired drag reduction for aircraft wings.

Associate Professor Thuy Mason was named the winner of the Heroes Award, which honours individuals or teams who go above and beyond to help their institutions, staff, and students thrive. During her former role as MPharm Course Director, Thuy was a driving force behind inclusive practices throughout her teaching. She enhanced the student experience through initiatives such as weekly clinics, which have led to increased satisfaction across seven key themes, most notably in amplifying student voice. In addition, she advanced inclusive assessment methods that provide stronger support for underrepresented students.

In her current role as Chair of the Ethnically Diverse Staff Network, she promotes equity through events such as student-led exhibitions during Black History Month. Her work continues to foster a supportive, student-centred environment. 

Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Spier congratulated the University’s winners, highlighting the significance of the national awards. “The University Alliance Awards highlight the meaningful contributions being made across our part of the sector. It’s tremendous to see individuals and teams from Kingston University recognised for their impactful work,” Professor Spier said. “Whether through pioneering research, championing inclusive education, or transforming student support, our award winners embody our commitment to ensuring all students can succeed.”

The University was also a finalist in the Teaching Innovation Award for the delivery of its Future Skills programme, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award - bringing the total number of categories in which it was shortlisted to five.

• Find out more about this year’s University Alliance Awards.