Kingston University shortlisted for five University Alliance Awards

The team behind the delivery of Kingston University’s Future Skills programme has been shortlisted for a major award.

They are among five individuals and teams from Kingston University shortlisted in this year’s University Alliance Awards.

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 Future Skills team is shortlisted for the Teaching Innovation Award, which recognises innovative teaching practises that have markedly benefited students and the institution.

Over the past two years, the Future Skills team has transformed the University’s entire undergraduate curriculum, creating graduate attributes based on empirical research.

In 2024-25, all first year and second year students have been learning and being assessed on these skills as a core part of their degrees. From September 2025, every student on every undergraduate course in every year will benefit from our sector-leading Future Skills approach.

In September 2024, the second year of the programme, Explore, launched to more than 4,000 students, bringing industry experiences into the curriculum on a large scale. More than 30 employers have engaged with students this academic year, including the University’s biggest live industry brief ever to more than 600 students with the John Lewis Partnership.

Parliamentarians have praised the University’s innovative approach to putting employability and skills development at the heart of its teaching. In February 2025, Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey requested government support for Future Skills to be rolled out across universities, calling it an engine of real growth which could enhance the quality of life for millions.

KU Cares is shortlisted in the Equity and Opportunity category which recognises individuals or teams that have developed impactful initiatives to improve diversity, equity and opportunity at their institution.

In recent years, the KU Cares team has further improved the support provided to young adult carers (YAC) 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 YACs with access to flexible paid work opportunities through our KU Cares Connectors and student ambassador schemes, an increased annual bursary awarded 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 YACs in the form of higher or similar retention, progression and attainment rates compared with non-KU Cares students.

Senior Lecturer in Aerodynamics Ifrah Mussa has been shortlisted in the Doctoral Training Alliance Alumni category which recognises PhD students who have demonstrated commitment to innovation or supporting peers and local or global communities. Ifrah is set to complete her PhD on wind turbine icing later this year. Alongside this work, she leads three undergraduate modules with over 100 students each, supervises postgraduate research and has also played a key role securing internal and external funding for a host of research projects.

MPharm Course Director and Senior Lecturer Thuy Mason is shortlisted in the Heroes category, which recognises an individual or team who have gone above and beyond to help their institutions, staff and students to thrive. As course leader, Thuy has improved the student experience through initiatives like weekly clinics, resulting in higher satisfaction across seven key themes, especially in amplifying student voice. She’s also advanced inclusive assessment practices that support underrepresented students.

In her 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.

Bev Wilson, ITS Operations and Programme Office Manager, is shortlisted in the prestigious Lifetime Achievement category, which recognises individuals who have delivered a lifetime of exceptional service to their institution, students and to the higher education sector as a whole. Bev has worked at Kingston University for 37 years, including Human Resources, ITS and Library Services.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Spier said: “I congratulate all of the nominees on being shortlisted for these prestigious awards. To have five individuals and teams from Kingston University shortlisted in this year’s University Alliance Awards is a tremendous achievement. These teams and individuals are living our University values – they are ambitious, inclusive, innovative, and enterprising. I wish everyone the best of luck at the Alliance Awards ceremony on 28 September.”

 · Find out more about the University Alliance Awards.