Dr Bill Davies and Dr Alexandria Bradley, both from the School of Humanities and Social Science, attended the ceremony on behalf of LBU and were presented with a silver medal and certificate (signed by The King) by Their Majesties The King and Queen at an investiture ceremony at St James's Palace. The prize, which forms part of the UK Honours system, recognises the impact of LBU's Educational Alliance with HMP Full Sutton (LEAF) led by the two LBU criminologists. It celebrates their project's pathbreaking and innovative approach to prison education and its clear benefit to society. Bill and Alex attended the ceremony with some former students. Rachel Greene studied a degree in Criminology with Psychology and then a Masters in Criminology and was taught by both Bill and Alex: The best part of my university experience was being accepted onto the Learning Together course. We used to go to Full Sutton prison every other Tuesday and I loved it. The most important part about the whole experience was the integration between the students from Leeds Beckett and the students within Full Sutton. As soon as we entered the classroom, we were all equal. We were there for the same purpose. We supported each other. I found it so special. Once the course had ended, I was extremely gutted. However, I was invited back to be a peer mentor, which was so exciting and I was honoured to be asked. This module will always have a special place in my heart. I am so honoured and grateful to have been a part of it. She is delighted that Bill and Alex have received the award for Leeds Beckett: I am so lucky to have met Bill and Alex. They have both encouraged and supported me through difficult times, academically and in my personal life.I am so proud of them for achieving this award, they truly deserve it! They both work so hard and they have also made the Learning Together Course one to remember. It was not just a course; it was a privilege. Thats why I am extremely honoured to be invited to witness them receive this award. I cant think of two more deserving people. LEAF, based in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, delivers inclusive higher education at HMP Full Sutton, a long-term high-security mens prison. The programme supports learners to gain recognised qualifications through targeted study that improves future opportunities. Combining trauma-informed teaching with social justice and higher education practice, LEAF creates a supportive and stable learning environment for people who may have experienced disrupted education or limited support. The programme focuses on strong stafflearner relationships, consistent teaching and inclusive, student-led learning. Dr Bill Davies, Reader in Teaching and Learning at Leeds Beckett University and Co-Director of LEAF, said: We are incredibly proud to receive the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education, which recognises the dedication and collaboration at the heart of the LEAF partnership. The award reflects the commitment of students from both Leeds Beckett and HMP Full Sutton, whose enthusiasm for learning and willingness to embrace education in a unique setting have made this work possible. We are thankful to everyone involved in supporting this shared learning community and look forward to continuing to widen access to meaningful educational opportunities for those who can benefit most. Dr Alexandria Bradley said: Im absolutely thrilled that our educational alliance with HMP Full Sutton has received this prestigious award. Positive educational experiences are inspiring, they increase confidence and they start to open the door to real personal growth. When we, as a society, prioritise education in prisons, we invest in peoples potential and in stronger communities. It has been wonderful to see our alumni flourish through their experiences and use them to help others involved within the Criminal Legal System. Feedback from partners at HMP Full Sutton used as part of LBU's submission for the prize attested to the importance of the work:"The impact of this over the years is huge. On the back of these courses, we saw an increase in engagement in education. It has challenged preconceptions and changed behaviours and attitudes. In some ways this led to a more profound change than achieving the qualifications for some." For Leeds Beckett, the award reflects the outstanding contribution of Dr Davies and Dr Bradley and the university's mission to advance social justice through education and research. Professor Peter Slee, Leeds Beckett University Vice Chancellor, who accompanied Bill and Alex today along with Chancellor Sir Bob Murray and Chair of the Board of Governors Iain Cornish, said: This national recognition highlights the outstanding collaboration between our colleagues and partners at HMP Full Sutton. The LEAF partnership demonstrates the powerful impact that innovative teaching and strong partnerships can have in transforming lives and supporting communities. I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Dr Bill Davies and Dr Alexandria Bradley for their leadership in delivering this pioneering and sector-leading work. The recognition affirms Leeds Beckett University's leadership in educational innovation and community engagement. It celebrates a project that has changed lives, challenged inequality and shown the transformative potential of education in restricted environments. Sir Bob Murray CBE, Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, said: Education changed my own life, and I have been a lifelong advocate of its power to change lives and strengthen communities. For that reason, I am immensely proud to see Leeds Beckett University recognised in this way. It is a privilege to serve as Chancellor and to work alongside Bill, Alex and their colleagues, whose commitment and dedication have made this honour possible. This recognition is richly deserved. Find out more aboutLEAF and the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education and studying Criminology at Leeds Beckett.
The collaboration brings together LBUs expertise in computing, data systems and applied research with Zenergy Solars experience in delivering bespoke renewable energy solutions for the commercial, public and third sectors. Together, they will develop a new digital platform to address the complexity that often prevents businesses from adopting solar energy at scale. The 28-month project is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) through Innovate UK, and is led by Dr Akbar Sheikh-Akbari, Reader in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing. Dr Sheikh-Akbari said: Zenergy Solar build and supply custom-built solar energy solutions, including solar panels and battery storage. They work mainly with commercial and public and third sector clients, including care homes, social housing associations and schools. The solar energy market can be complex, with a wide range of suppliers, technologies, and considerations around cost and long term maintenance. Our KTP with Zenergy Solar aims to support their ambition to make solar energy solutions easier to implement and manage for organisations, such as social housing landlords and care home providers, who have multiple properties and a complex infrastructure of solar energy to manage. At the heart of the project is the development of ZenSmart, a new research-informed digital platform that will allow businesses and organisations to manage solar energy systems across multiple properties from one place. Using advanced computing and data modelling, ZenSmart will enable organisations to: Monitor energy generation in real-time, enabling quicker fault detection and resolution Manage multiple buildings and sites through a single, user-friendly dashboard Create bespoke solutions that optimise different solar panels, battery sizes and manufacturers in one platform Julian Wiley, Managing Director at Zenergy Solar, said: The solar energy sector faces significant challenges due to the diverse suppliers available, complicated monitoring systems and ineffective fault detection technologies. ZenSmart will be an innovative product, bringing LBUs advanced technical expertise and cutting-edge research to simplify the social energy market and encourage broader adoption and ongoing innovation. It will track and operate multiple potential solutions without the added headache of multiple portals and data repositories. Using advanced AI, we will be able to enhance fault detection, reduce downtime and improve reliability, whilst performance modelling will support more complex product installations. An experienced graduate will be recruited to manage the project as a KTP Associate. The role, Smart Energy Systems Engineer, will be a full-time member of the Zenergy Solar team, with full support of the LBU academics. For more information and to apply for the role, please visit the Leeds Beckett University Jobs site. The closing date for applications is 26 February 2026. The full LBU KTP team consists of: Dr Akbar Sheikh-Akbari, Reader in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing, Professor Amar Aggoun, Head of Computer Science and Professor of Visual Computing, Dr Pooneh Bagheri Zadeh, Course Director for MEng/BSc Computer Science in the School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing.
Building on the success of a previous programme, this initiative helps develop leadership capability, confidence and emotional intelligence among women at all stages of their professional journey. The programme, hosted by the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Knowledge Exchange (CEKE), supports women working in SMEs, those leading teams or projects, and women setting up or growing their own businesses. CEKE has collaborated with The Leadership Centre who will deliver a 12-month development series Women Leading with Impact combining leadership workshops, mentoring and peer-to-peer learning. Participants learn about practical tools that they can apply immediately and can discover valuable insights into their leadership strengths through an Emotional Intelligence (EQ) diagnostic. Additionally, those taking part can join in events, roundtables and networking opportunities that bring together a diverse and supportive community of women. Recognising the importance of inclusive leadership and shared responsibility for gender equity, they can also invite a male ally, helping to extend learning and influence beyond the programme itself. The programme focuses on three core leadership themes: Leading self Leading others Leading for impact and influence Together, these themes provide a structured pathway for personal development, team leadership and organisational growth. #WECAN Impact and Growth offers clear benefits for SMEs, enabling them to invest in the development of women in their organisations. Businesses taking part in #WECAN report stronger leadership capability, increased confidence and resilience, and improved people management and strategic decision-making. Previous participants have responded positively: Imogen Steiner, Senior Account Manager at Blueberry Marketing, said: The #WECAN course created a rare, open space for our team to step back, reflect and have honest conversations about strategy, leadership and how we work together. Completing the course early in my career also gave me the confidence to develop my skills and step into more of a management role. Amy Leadbetter, Account Manager at C2events, added: The #WECAN programme was an incredibly valuable experience for me from start to finish, on a personal and professional level. "A fantastic way to build on my skills, whilst also expanding my knowledge and confidence in identifying and implementing the most effective communication styles. The practical tools were immediately useful in my day-to-day role. #WECAN has also launched a Pay It Forward Scheme inviting established SMEs to support the next generation of women founders by offering a ladder down to those at earlier stages of their journey. Through the scheme, businesses can fund a years #WECAN membership for an early‑stage woman entrepreneur or encourage the clients and networks they work with to access the programme. Professor George Lodorfos, Dean of the Leeds Business School says #WECAN demonstrates our commitment as an anchor institution to regional development. At Leeds Business School, that begins with developing the people that build the businesses that grow the region. This targeted intervention through our #WECAN programme continues to deliver positive outcomes and I encourage women leaders to take advantage of this opportunity. Professor Lebene Soga, Academic Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Knowledge Exchange adds: We believe the future of business must be more inclusive than its past. At Leeds Business School, were not just supporting women in business, were actively closing the leadership gap. #WECAN Impact and Growth reflects Leeds Beckett Universitys ongoing commitment to inclusive leadership, business growth and meaningful social impact. For more information about the programme which starts in April 2026, visit www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/wecan
It will explore the rapidly evolving relationship between climate change, peace and security in Nigeria, and provide a platform for conversation about national policy directions and opportunities for collaborative research that can help support meaningful impact in Nigeria and across Africa. Key themes of the event include: Emerging security risks linked to environmental degradation Climate change and gender Policy responses and national climate action priorities Pathways for strengthening resilience and peacebuilding Opportunities for UK-Nigeria academic collaboration and impact It is being hosted by Dr Olayinka Ajala, Associate Professor for Politics and International Relations at Leeds Beckett University. Dr Ajala said: Climate change is reshaping security dynamics across Nigeria and the wider African region, and our research at Leeds Beckett seeks to understand these emerging risks and identify pathways to resilience. Hosting Hon. Yussuf Kelani offers an invaluable opportunity to connect evidence‑based scholarship with national policy thinking, strengthening the collaborative work needed to address one of the most urgent challenges of our time. The other speaker is Dr Pedi Obani, Associate Professor of Law from the University of Bradford. All the speakers will take part in a roundtable event after the talk. The event is at the Rose Bowl RB538 on City Campus on Tuesday 17 February from 12:00 to 13:30. For more information or to book a place please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/climate-change-peace-and-security-in-nigeria-challenges-and-opportunities-tickets-1982441358469 Find out more about studying Politics and International Relations at Leeds Beckett.
Led by Thomas Bindle, Head of Development and General Manager of the Womens Super League, and Dr Sean Scallenbury, Senior Research Fellow at Leeds Beckett University and Lead Performance Coach for England Womens Rugby League, the event saw clubs including Saints, Leigh, Wigan, Barrow, Leeds, Huddersfield, Featherstone and York take part. The PaCE Day forms part of a wider programme designed to support the continued growth and professionalisation of the womens game. Across the two days, players completed league-wide physical testing using Leeds Becketts strength and conditioning suite, pitches and specialist equipment from Hawkin Dynamics, alongside education sessions covering topics such as nutrition, anti-doping, brain health and concussion. Coaches and staff also took part in continuing professional development sessions, using shared data and discussion to support long-term improvement across the league. The PaCE Day brings the entire Womens Super League together in one place, which allows standardised testing to be carried out across an entire league. Dr Sean Scallenbury explained: It allows us to profile them from an anthropometric and a physical perspective which allows us to capture data on an entire league in terms of their strength, their power, their speed and their aerobic capacity. For us, its about understanding the physical demands of the game and supporting players and coaches with evidence-informed practice. For the Womens Super League, the partnership with Leeds Beckett is central to its development strategy. Thomas Bindle said: Weve been on a journey with the Womens Super League for a number of years, trying to elevate and improve the product. Having everyone together for league-wide testing helps us understand where players are, how they compare across teams, and what we need to do to support them to get fitter, faster and stronger. That ultimately builds a better game, and a better future for womens rugby league. We dont think we can do this without the likes of Leeds Beckett, theyre fantastic partners for us. The event also highlights the role Leeds Beckett plays in supporting womens sport at all levels, from elite performance to education and research. The university is home to England Womens Rugby League, with players regularly returning to campus for training camps ahead of a major international year. Among those attending were Leeds Beckett students and alumna currently competing in the league, as well as Leeds Beckett Sport Hall of Fame alumna and Head Coach of Leeds Rhinos, Lois Forsell. York Valkyrie and England Womens Rugby League player Tamzin Renouf returned to campus alongside her teammates, having completed her undergraduate degree and PGCE at Leeds Beckett. She said: Its great being back at Beckett. The facilities here are so good, and we train here with England so its a familiar environment for me. Its brilliant to bring the girls here and see everyone using facilities like this together. Fellow England teammate and alumna Keara Bennett also attended the day with her Leeds Rhinos teammates. Keara said: It epitomises how far the game has come for us girls to be able to come to a place like this. Its like a home away from home. Alongside elite athletes, current Leeds Beckett students studying sport-related courses were embedded throughout the testing process, gaining hands-on experience working directly with professional players. Sam, a third year Sport and Exercise Science student from America, said: Being involved in this testing is some of the best real-world experience you can get, using this unreal gym, getting to work with professional athletes in a very intimate setting, seeing how theyve improved, its a great experience. Reece, a second year Sport and Exercise Science student, added: All the opportunities you get here, such as the PaCE day and supporting live testing are really brilliant and help with my aspirations to be a strength and conditioning coach. The PaCE Day reflects Leeds Becketts long-standing partnerships with organisations including England Rugby League and Women in Sport, and its commitment to creating learning environments where students are taught by practitioners actively working in the industry. As the Womens Super League continues its development, the collaboration highlights the value of bringing elite sport, research and education together in one setting.
The site has been reimagined as the Rowland Road Play Patch a free, inclusive outdoor space designed for creativity, exploration and community-led play. Through this partnership, staff and students from Leeds Beckett University have contributed their specialist expertise in Childhood Development and Playwork and Landscape Architecture and Design, with students embedded through placements and ongoing volunteering, bringing together academic learning to real-world community practice in support of the community's aim to create an enduring resource for local children. Learning through community engagement Two final-year Childhood Development and Playwork students, Erykah Bourke and Isabel Wagstaff, completed their work placements at the Play Patch last year and have continued to volunteer since. Their involvement has included supporting play sessions, engaging with families and helping shape the evolving use of the space alongside the local community. Erykah said: I have absolutely loved doing the placement and getting involved. Every visit is something new. The best part of this whole project is the people there. The sense of community spirit at Rowland Road is truly inspiring. Isabel added: I loved being able to be a part of such a community-based project. My best part of this project was seeing the transformation from going to a neglected area at the back of a working men's club to somewhere inviting, with children coming through the gates with big smiles on their face not wanting to leave, as this showed the positive impact we all made. The Yorkshire Contemporary project continues to be supported by Leeds Beckett course staff, with monthly volunteering currently taking place and plans to increase student involvement during Semester Two. Erykah is also focusing her final-year dissertation on the Play Patch, exploring its wider social and community impact. Landscape Architecture and Design students worked alongside Playwork students and community partners to design and develop the outdoor environment, transforming the neglected site into a flexible adventure playground that encourages building, planting, creativity and free play. One of those students, Poppy West, worked at the Play Patch as part of a 12-week Design Community module. She said: "My favourite part about working on this project was using the relationships formed with the community to inform our designs. From our weekly visits, we got to know the children and volunteers, how they liked to play and what was important to them. This could then inform how I designed play on the site." A space shaped by the community The Rowland Road Play Patch is open every Saturday from 11am to 2pm and is free for everyone to access. The space has been designed to be welcoming and inclusive, with step-free access, accessible toilets and changing facilities, seating areas, and support for neurodivergent visitors, including sensory backpacks and visual stories. Crucially, the Play Patch is community-led. Children, families and local residents are encouraged to shape how the space develops, ensuring it reflects local needs and ideas. Working alongside Yorkshire Contemporary and Rowland Road Working Mens Club, the project highlights Leeds Beckett Universitys commitment to working with and supporting the city, while giving students hands-on experience of real-world collaboration, inclusive design and community engagement. By combining academic learning with volunteering, design practice and social impact, students are helping to create a space that not only supports play and wellbeing but also strengthens community connections in Beeston. Find out more about Childhood Development and Playwork and Landscape Architecture and Design degrees at Leeds Beckett University.
Professor Dan Kilvington will be delivering his inaugural professorial lecture and will speak about five essential principles to create impact with research. At the heart of Professor Kilvingtons research is a drive to better understand inequality in sport and online spaces, and to use evidence to help create fairer, more inclusive environments. During his inaugural on Wednesday 11 February, he will reflect on several research projects that represent some of his proudest academic achievements. These include delivering a TEDx talk, The Virtual Stages of Hate, and leading or contributing to major projects focused on tackling online hate in football, promoting anti-racist coaching practice, and increasing diversity in refereeing and match officiating in English football. Together, these projects demonstrate how his research has translated into practical action and meaningful change across the sport sector. Liam Anderson, Premier League Coaching Insights Manager, said: Dans support and expertise in the creation of our Anti-Racist Coaching Workshop has provided us a platform to increase the awareness of inclusive coaching practice across the entire professional academy environment in football and has laid the groundwork for our ambition to ensure that all academies are supported in their adoption of a proactive inclusive approach that is effective and sustainable. Alexis Simms, EDI Development Partner for Lawn Tennis Association, said: Dans work is helping to reshape how inclusion and impact are understood. His research amplifies voices that are too often unheard and is directly influencing practice, policy, and wider understanding of the lived experiences of ethnically diverse participants and coaches. Tahir Khan, Development Manager for Yorkshire Sport Foundation said he owes a lot to Dan: I first met Dan at a workshop he was running about the lack of diversity around coaches in professional football, specifically around ethnicity. I turned up and I didnt really know what to expect. Id been trying to get into the sector I was smashing my head against the wall trying to have an opportunity to work in football or work in sport and there was nothing anywhere. On that night I made some really good connections, and Dan spent a lot of time with me, helped me immensely, followed that up with some emails, made some connections and then from that it just snowballed. I got into football and from there Ive progressed to where I am now at York Sport Foundation. I always tell Dan that hes made the biggest impact on my career genuinely without Dan I wouldnt be where I am today. As an action researcher, Dan has always attempted to use his research to develop outputs which lead to real-world impact. Impact has been secured through, for example, developing policies through evidence, changing attitudes and behaviours through newly developed educational resources, and using data to inform protection and support mechanisms for those affected by abuse. Along this journey, he has learnt many lessons and for the first time he will share five essential principles which help turn evidence into impact. Daniel Kilvington is a Professor in Media and Culture in the School of Humanities and Social Science at Leeds Beckett University. His teaching and research focus on race/ethnicity, racism, anti-racism and anti-discrimination more broadly in sport and new media contexts. This lecture is part of Leeds Beckett University's inaugural professorial lecture series.
The collaboration brings together academic expertise from across LBU in supply chain management, leadership and computing systems. Working closely with Dent Steel, the team will apply research-driven approaches to introduce data-led warehouse management, alongside organisational and cultural transformation to support future growth. The 30-month project is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) through Innovate UK. It is led by Richard Hitchcock, Lecturer within the Operations and Supply Chain Management subject group at Leeds Business School, who specialises in improving efficiency and resilience in complex industrial environments. Richard Hitchcock said: The KTP is an exciting opportunity to overcome the traditional growth barriers in the steel industry, and to help secure the British steel industrys place in a global market. As well as strengthening Dent Steels supply chain position, the partnership will transform the working culture at Dent Steel from succession planning strategies to creating new progression routes and embedding digital skills to attract and retain talent.
Over 370,000 people live in over 15,000 care homes in the UK. Having skilled staff is important for delivery of high-quality care. This requires care homes to provide an environment where staff can learn to deliver care effectively and are able to put learning from training into practice. There is currently limited evidence on what effective learning environments in care homes look like or how to best implement them. Now, a team led by Professor Claire Surr, Director of the Centre for Dementia Research at Leeds Beckett University, and Dr Isabelle Latham, Researcher in Residence at Hallmark Luxury Care Homes, will be working with staff, residents and families to look at what makes a supportive and inclusive learning environment in a care home and importantly, how care homes can make this a reality. The research team also includes members from the universities of Kent, Bournemouth, Leeds and Bradford, The National Care Forum and people with lived experience of receiving care in care homes. Professor Surr said: "Care staff need the right knowledge and skills to deliver good care. We often think of this as being largely provided through formal training. However, learning in care homes tends to be shaped by many other factors including the workplace culture, leadership, resources and policies, and the majority of learning may actually take place through informal learning opportunities such as shadowing and mentoring and on-the-job experience. This may explain why care home staff report that it can be difficult to put formal training into practice, if it doesn't fit with what they are learning informally." Dr Latham said: "I'm delighted that this study will build on my previous doctoral research to explore how informal and formal learning opportunities work together in care homes. From this we will produce a free, practical toolkit that will help care homes to improve learning, care quality and workplace culture, meaning that residents of these homes receive the best possible care. We also hope that providing a supportive workplace learning environment can improve confidence and job satisfaction, which may help to tackle the known challenges of recruitment and retention the sector is facing." Care homes in Yorkshire, Kent, East London, Bournemouth and the South-West will be invited to take part in the study. The findings of the three-year study will be shared nationally with care providers, policy makers and sector organisations.
On 13 December 13, 1975, the biggest fire the city had ever seen was spotted by an employee at a flower stall at the market - it had only closed just half an hour earlier after a busy day trading. Fortunately, no lives were lost but traders and cleaning staff were still inside the premises at the time the fire was discovered and had to smash locked gates to escape, with traders leaving their takings behind. In the run up to the 50th anniversary of the fire, Leeds Beckett historian and Professor of History in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shane Ewen, has spoken to the some of the firefighters who attended that night: "I have been involved with the Leeds Fire Heritage Group since 2017 and am the academic researcher on the Trailblazers project working with the local arts and social change charity Space2. We are producing story maps - interactive digital histories involving images, text, memories and a searchable map - to share stories about the Fire and Rescue Service in Leeds and West Yorkshire. "The story maps are a unique interactive method for sharing research and stories that are useful for teaching, public engagement and further collaboration with external partners. "Some of the core members of the East Leeds Fire Heritage Group served at Gipton and other fire stations across Leeds and attended the fire at Kirkgate Market in 1975. To date, no-one has asked them for their experiences and memories of that iconic fire despite the fact they were the boots on the ground tackling such a ferocious fire. Normally we hear about the stories from the point of view of the market traders, city councillors and senior officers in the emergency services. So, we decided to ask three of the men who attended the fire for their memories of working at such a challenging operational incident." Trevor had only just been promoted to Sub Officer at Gipton Fire Station, and the day of the fire was his first shift in charge of his watch:"Exactly at 6.30pm, the fire station alarm went off signalling a turn out and the orders that all seven pumps were to get into town." Within minutes of getting to work, Trevor knew this was going to be a tough job when a flashover occurred in the main hall and he had to evacuate his crew:"I can't believe how quick it was really. We came in and it was really going by then so two of the pumps went round the back of the market hall. We went in and then less than two minutes we came straight out quickly, I had to get them out, it was so quick, it was just unbelievable how quick it was. "It just went on and on. For the next two and a half hours up there, we were working there all the time." The Leeds crews were soon joined by pumps from across West Yorkshire, including Bradford and Keighley. Leading Fireman Norman Fields was working at Bramley station. He recalls going upstairs where the fire was clearly visible from several miles away. He told his colleagues to get their kit on as it was going to be a long night ahead. Alan, another firefighter at the time said:"This was an unprecedented fire, the likes of which Leeds has not seen since. That was one thing that struck me - we'd all been to a lot of big fires, and it's put a lot of people out of work. But the market was slightly different because it put businesses, dozens of businesses, out of work." In total, fifteen pumps attended from across West Yorkshire to provide operational support. More than five hundred firefighters were called in, many working into the early hours of Sunday morning to save the premises, in difficult and dangerous conditions. You can view the Story Map with more information. Find out more about studying History at Leeds Beckett University.
A collaboration across nine universities Launched this autumn, the YBDTP is a collaboration of nine universities: the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, the University of Sheffield, the University of York, Sheffield Hallam University, Teesside University, the University of Bradford, the University of Huddersfield and the University of Hull. It has been established to train the bioscience researchers of the future, and to make sure they are fully equipped to address fundamental and strategic biological questions of national and global importance. Building on the success of the previous White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership in Mechanistic Biology, the collaboration has attracted major investment from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and from the partner institutions. The partnership will offer cutting-edge research projects in bioscience and biotechnology, complemented by an interdisciplinary training programme and professional placements to give students the variety of skills needed for the UK bioeconomy. Building a community The first cohort of PhD students recently attended a multi-day induction event at the YHA National Forest in Derbyshire, which provided training and opportunities to build networks across the partnership. Professor Gary Jones, Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange in the School of Health and Leeds Beckett's representative on the YBDTP management board, said: "The YBDTP offers Leeds Beckett students researching in the area of biomedical sciences a wonderful opportunity to access world class facilities across partner institutions across the Yorkshire region. Six students from biomedical sciences joined the first cohort of the YBDTP and were actively involved in the successful inaugural residential. We look forward to growing our participation in the YBDTP over the next five years." Training was delivered by representatives from the University of Leeds, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of York and focused on some of the key elements of PhD research, including: The nature and expectations of PhD research training Experimental design and data generation for publication Effective project and time management During the residential, students also had the opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of the partnership, taking part in creative workshop sessions to explore the development of YBDTP's identity as well as team-building activities that enabled them to explore their own research projects and build connections with their peers. Further information Applications for entry to projects for 2026 are now open. For further information, including how to apply, visit the, YBDTP website.
Yee, an Olympic triathlon champion and ad honoris graduate of Leeds Beckett, clocked 2:06:38 - the second-fasted marathon time ever recorded by a British runner, trailing only Mo Farah. Yee prepared for Valencia by training with the elite marathon runners - Team GB Olympians Phil Sesemann and Emile Cairess - and coaches based at LBU's Leeds Talent Hub. Phil was hot on Alex's heels, setting a new personal best of 2:07:11 - his second 2:07 marathon of the year. Emile - who finished fourth in last year's Olympic marathon and was himself the second fastet Brit until Alex's run on Sunday - was on pacing duties. Leeds Beckett's Head of Athletics Andy Henderson and physio support from James Wilkinson had played key roles in group's training block leading up to Valencia. This remarkable performance underscores what the Leeds Talent Hub does best: provide Olympic-calibre athletes, global contenders and emerging talent with world-class coaching, cutting-edge sport science and high-performance preparation at our Headingley campus. Yee's result was not achieved in isolation. Two other Talent Hub runners were among the top 7 British female finishers in Valencia, Katy Wood running 2:34:23 on her debut, and Sarah Potter with a personal best of 2:34:26. Head coach Andy Henderson said: "We're really pleased Alex recognised that Leeds Beckett is the place to come for a marathon training block. Our Talent Hub is home to many of the best marathon runners - add an athlete of Alex's calibre and the results in Valencia show how much it helps everyone."