Climate action wins Reading two THE Awards 2023 nominations

Outstanding PhD supervision and a commitment to climate action has won the University of Reading nominations in two categories at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2023.

The University is shortlisted alongside five other universities for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership for its Planet Partners initiative, and Professor Hannah Cloke OBE is one of eight academics shortlisted for Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year.

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, said: “The THE Awards celebrate examples of the outstanding work at British and Irish universities, and I am pleased that Reading is represented among the best universities in two vital parts of our University’s activity.

“Reading has a university-wide commitment to focus on climate action and sustainability, including through our world-class research and teaching, how we run our campuses, and in how we work with those outside the University. The Planet Partners initiative has achieved great success and deserves the recognition as a project that is changing ideas and education about  climate change.

“Congratulations to Professor Hannah Cloke for her nomination as Outstanding Research Supervisor. The quality and commitment of a PhD supervision is critical to the success of doctoral training, and high-performing PhD students are the lifeblood of a university’s research activity.”

'Uniquely brilliant'

The submission for ‘Planet Partners: Leading collaboration for climate action and impact’ states that “the University of Reading is committed to being a leader in environmental sustainability… [aiming] to maximise the impact of our influence to achieve meaningful change, locally, nationally and internationally.”

Professor Cloke’s submission highlights her work as a hydrologist and climate scientist supervising 32 students across two decades, many of whom are now leading scientific figures in their field. One of her PhD students said of her supervision style: “Hannah is uniquely brilliant… never once has she stopped being awesome.”

Image: Professor Hannah Cloke and the Water@Reading research group at writing retreat, 2022