Alumni shortlisted for Exeter Impact Awards

The shortlisted projects include the Heart of Borneo Project led by Exeter alumni Tim van Berkel and Martin Holland.

In 2010 as students the pair organised and led an 18-strong expedition to Borneo to document the flora and fauna of Bukit Batikap Nature Reserve, one of the most remote, biodiverse and threatened rainforests on earth.

The quality of the scientific research and pioneering use of interactive communications, through which exciting discoveries were shared in real time with a worldwide audience, brought numerous awards, extensive media coverage, and the accolade of ‘Expedition of the Year’.

The University of Exeter undertakes research worth over £65 million a year, much of which is helping to tackle major global problems The Awards recognise successes in knowledge exchange, collaborative working and partnership, which have led to benefits for the wider economy and society. Much of the work of the 28 finalists relates to these universal problems which have an impact on millions of people across the world.
 


Exeter alumnus, author John Gubert who is one of the external reviewers said: “This is a great initiative and attracted high quality work from a wide range of disciplines. I was pleased to see the teamwork between industry and academia working to such good effect.”


The winners in each category will be announced at a gala ceremony in the Great Hall on 7 December, hosted by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith who said: “I am delighted to see that so much important work is going on at Exeter, which makes me extremely confident for the future and justifiably proud.”
 

The awards event is being sponsored through a partnership with Midas Group.  Steve Hindley, Chairman of Midas group said:  “We were extremely pleased to be able to work with the University on this initiative and we are look forward to seeing which of these exciting projects have scooped the prizes.”

Find out more about the shortlist by visiting the Impact Awards website.