Multiple FSE winners at 2020 Making a Difference Awards

The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) has enjoyed a triumphant night at The University of Manchester's 2020 Making a Difference Awards, with a number of staff and students recognised for the positive impact they make.

Celebrating the outstanding achievements of staff, students, alumni and external partners, the awards highlight the various ways people throughout the University are 'making a difference'.

They recognise the impact made on the social wellbeing of the University's communities and wider society, provide an opportunity to share best practice around social responsibility initiatives, and encourage others to get involved.

This year's awards - the sixth held - took place on the evening of Thursday, 7 May. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony could not be held at the University's Whitworth Hall and was instead moved online. The University's Director of Social Responsibility Dr Julian Skyrme and Chancellor Lemn Sissay co-hosted the livestream.

FSE fared particularly well, with various individuals and teams either winning or being highly commended in their chosen category. They included:

Winners

• Outstanding benefit to society through research: emerging impact

Energy from agricultural waste in Southeast Asia: Angela Mae Minas and Sarah Mander (Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering)

• Outstanding contribution to social innovation

Wellspring: Elliot McKernon (Department of Mathematics)

• Outstanding national/international engagement

CreateZim: Tarisiro Fundira and Nyasha Goredema (Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering)

• Outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability: established project

Bluedot Festival sustainability programme: Teresa Anderson and Tim O'Brien (Jodrell Bank and Department of Physics and Astronomy)

• Outstanding contribution to widening participation: exceptional contribution

Julia Riley (Jodrell Bank)

• Outstanding contribution to widening participation

Inside Out: Working scientifically at the museum: Amy McDowell, Louise Bousfield and Lynne Bianchi (School of Engineering)

Highly commended

• Outstanding public and community engagement initiative (local)

MIB programme of public engagement with research and researchers: Nicholas Weise (Manchester Institute of Biotechnology)

• Outstanding professional services for social responsibility

Greater Manchester Engineering Challenge: Lynne Bianchi (School of Engineering)

• Outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability

Food Waste: Matheiu Augustin (Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering)

• Outstanding contribution to widening participation

Tactile Collider: Robert Appleby and team (Department of Physics and Astronomy)

See the full list of winners and highly commended entrants.