Leeds Beckett University recognised with Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education for pioneering prison learning partnership

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 LBU criminologists, Dr Bill Davies and Dr Alexandria Bradley. The award celebrates their project's pathbreaking and innovative approach to prison education and its clear benefit to society.

Presented by the Royal Anniversary Trust, the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education is regarded as one of the highest national honours open to universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. To mark the achievement, the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Keir Starmer MP, has written personally to congratulate to congratulate LBU on their success.

Professor Peter Slee, Leeds Beckett University Vice Chancellor, said: "I am delighted that the remarkable work of our colleagues and partners at HMP Full Sutton has been recognised with the award of this national Honour. The LEAF partnership shows how high-quality and innovative teaching, and deep collaboration can change lives and strengthen communities. I want particularly to congratulate Dr Bill Davies, Dr Alexandria Bradley for their leadership of this transformational and sector-leading work."

Transforming education in a challenging environment

LEAF is based in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. It is led by senior criminology academics Dr Bill Davies and Dr Alexandria Bradley. The programme brings high quality, relational and inclusive education into HMP Full Sutton, which is a long-term high secure Category A and B men's prison. The work helps inmates gain real-world qualifications through targeted study that increases their life chances.

Since its creation, LEAF has been driven by a commitment to widen educational participation in communities that have experienced significant disadvantage. The team draws on lived experience of incarceration, trauma-informed practice and research-led teaching. This enables them to design learning that is meaningful and supportive for men in custody. Many learners have experienced serious disruption in their education before entering prison.

Statistics show that more than 40 per cent of the adult prison population has been permanently excluded from school. Nearly 60 per cent have literacy skills below the level expected of an 11-year-old. More than half have undiagnosed or unsupported neurodiverse needs. Cuts to prison education have removed up to 60 per cent of prison education funding in recent years. This has limited access to even the most basic learning opportunities. For the majority of long-term prisoners, especially those who cannot self-fund higher education, the pathway to university-level study is extremely limited.

In this context, LEAF offers one of the few routes for learners to access higher level educational engagement. It provides consistency, trust and a focus on long-term goals.

Dr Bill Davies, Leeds Beckett University reader in teaching and learning and co-director of LEAF, said: "We are deeply honoured to receive a Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education. This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of the students - both from our university and HMP Full Sutton - who embraced the challenge with a pure enthusiasm for education. Their determination to engage with education in such a unique environment has been the true driving force behind this partnership. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to creating opportunities for growth and understanding across the prison and university communities, and we look forward to building on this work to expand access to education for those who need it most."

A partnership built on trust and continuity

The LEAF partnership with HMP Full Sutton will reach its tenth anniversary in 2026. Over this period, Dr Davies and Dr Bradley have built strong and sustained relationships with prison governors, education teams and learners. Their approach is centred on dignity, reliability and the creation of a learning environment where men feel safe, encouraged and able to re-engage with education after negative or traumatic earlier experiences.

The wider benefits of this work are clear. Evidence shows that taking part in purposeful learning can reduce the likelihood of reoffending. LEAF contributes directly to this by offering opportunities for men in custody to build confidence, develop skills and imagine new possibilities for their future.

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."

National recognition for innovative work with real impact

Queen Elizabeth Prizes celebrate leading examples of innovation and benefit across the UK tertiary sector. Over the past 30 years, the prizes have recognised work across many fields including arts and humanities, business and the economy, education, health and medicine, engineering and manufacturing, environment and conservation, pure and applied science and social sciences. Winners report positive effects for students, staff and communities. These include strengthened morale, increased confidence and a shared sense of achievement.

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.

LBU will be presented with their award by a senior member of the Royal Family at a ceremony at St. James' Palace in February 2026.

A moment of pride for the university

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.

Find out more about LEAF and the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education.