University shortlisted for two Times Higher Education Awards
10 Sep 2026
Nominations for technicians leading the way in our sustainability goals and a researcher nominated by his PhD students for his support in developing their careers.
Our University has been shortlisted for two Times Higher Education Awards.
The LabGoods4Reuse team has been nominated for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership, while Professor Vahid Niasar has been nominated for Researcher of the Year – by his PhD students.
Professor Vahid Niasar
Professor Vahid Niasar is nominated for his outstanding contribution to doctoral supervision through the research culture he has built within the Integrated Multiscale Porous Media Research Group (IMPRES).
IMPRES, established by Vahid in 2014 and co-led by him and Dr Mehrdad Farahani, is dedicated to delivering innovative engineering solutions for a wide range of porous media topics.
Through IMPRES, Vahid has supported doctoral researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, helping them develop into independent, confident researchers working across porous media physics, subsurface energy, carbon storage, hydrogen storage, fuel cells, batteries and environmental flows.
His supervision has led to sustained outcomes, including high-quality, first-author publications, external collaborations, awards and strong career progression across academia, industry and research organisations.
His students highlighted his combination of intellectual challenge, regular guidance, personal support and commitment to their long-term development. Through IMPRES, he has created a supportive, stimulating and internationally connected doctoral environment that turns student potential into research achievement and professional success.
LabGoods4Reuse
Laboratory-based research is vital to scientific progress, yet it is energy‑intensive, resource‑heavy, and a major contributor to institutional waste.
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH) Technical Operations colleagues created LabGoods4Reuse (LG4R) to reuse resources, reduce waste, provide essential equipment, and free up valuable space through innovative laboratory ‘rehoming’.
Launched in 2024, the uptake in FBMH has been fantastic:
- Over 750 items have been rehomed across 80 different lab groups.
- More than £435,000 and 3445kg of waste has been saved by rehoming equipment and consumables.
- And the LG4R team have established a sustainable culture focused on reusing items.
In addition, new and expanding research groups have gained immediate access to essential equipment that supports their work from day one. LG4R has removed barriers, accelerated research start‑up, and strengthened equity of access to resources.
At the heart of this success is the leadership of Technical Operations Managers Joanna Woodburn, Becci Higgins, Tim Rainey and Rae Watkins. Their vision, drive, and collaborative approach have united technical staff, researchers, the FBMH Infrastructure team, and the University’s Estates team behind a shared commitment to sustainability.
It also highlights the strategic role of technical professionals in advancing sustainability and building strong partnerships and establishes our University as a leading institution for sustainable laboratory practice.
Associate Dean for Environmental Sustainability at FBMH, Dr Maggy Fostier explains: “Making our research more sustainable is a priority for the University. In 2018, our purchased goods and services amounted to 29% of our Carbon footprint with laboratory and animal house supplies and services taking the largest with 34 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. In our pursuit to reach net zero in 2050, it is thus crucial at the institution level to set an infrastructure that promotes circularity. This is what LG4R does.
“Thanks to the dedication of our technical operation staff, this initiative now represents the model to follow and expand upon at The University of Manchester. As we develop the regulatory blueprint and practical architecture for such an endeavour, we hope others can benefit too.”
Lecturer in Neuroscience, Dr Gareth Morris has found it “invaluable” and says: “As a new PI, funding can be limited and it can be difficult to plug equipment gaps to perform new techniques. LG4R has provided key pieces of kit which have allowed us to expand our electrophysiology and cell culture capabilities, whilst also reusing items to maximise sustainability.”
LG4R aims to expand the initiative across our University and explore partnerships with regional higher education institutions, amplifying its environmental impact across the sector.
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