Top European Award For UK Partnership

The North East’s biggest university and the region’s leading science centre have scooped a top European award for their contribution to the development of excellence in science engagement.

The International Centre for Life’s strategic partnership with Northumbria University has been recognised as Highly Commended at an awards ceremony held by the European network of science centres and museums (Ecsite) at its annual conference in Graz, Austria.

Created in 2015, the Mariano Gago Ecsite Awards encourage creative and impactful work within the informal science education sector and recognise organisations whose partnerships contribute to the development of excellence in science engagement.

Life’s partnership with Northumbria University was established in 2013. It has served as the basis for a continuing programme of activity that reinforces Life’s mission to be the best place in the UK for enthusing and engaging everyone in science, and Northumbria University’s vision as a research based, business focused, and professional university with a global reputation for academic quality. Joint activity includes exhibitions, public events, courses, internships and research collaborations.

As the Jury put it: “We were impressed by the breadth and depth of the partnership built between the International Centre for Life and Northumbria University. It struck Jury members as a long-term inspiring example of collaboration between a university and a science centre, and an expertly articulated strategic alliance.”

Linda Conlon, Chief Executive at Life, said: “We’re thrilled with this accolade for our partnership with Northumbria University. It comes just as we are renewing our partnership for a further three years. The partnership has brought together different, but complementary skills and experiences, meaning that we have been able to undertake imaginative and exciting projects that neither party would be able to do on its own such as Maker Faire UK, a Master’s degree in Science Communication and a GCSE Astronomy course.”

Lucy Winskell, OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business and Engagement) at Northumbria University, said: “I was delighted to see our innovative partnership with the International Centre for Life recognised in this way. The partnership has brought a wealth of positive benefits for both Northumbria students and visitors to Life. We have an excellent and long-standing relationship with our colleagues at Life, which has gone from strength to strength over the last few years. This can be seen through a number of unique collaborative exhibitions, research projects, and the launch of pioneering education courses, all of which have a real and tangible impact on the world.

“We look forward to working with Life to achieve even greater success in the future.”