LSTM shortlisted for three Times Higher Education Awards

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has been shortlisted in the 2026 Times Higher Education awards in three categories.

LSTM’s potentially life-saving impact globally and in the local community has been recognised in the ‘outstanding contribution to the local community’, ‘knowledge exchange’ and ‘STEM research project of the year’ categories.

The ReCITE team have been working with communities across the Liverpool City Region to tackle health inequalities. From improving uptake of immunisation and cancer screening to building trust, strengthening local partnerships and influencing policy and practice, the team are showing what can happen when communities are genuinely involved in developing solutions.

The LIGHT Research Programme, a finalist in the knowledge exchange category, has been working with partners in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda and the UK to improve gender-responsive prevention and care of TB, one of the world’s deadliest diseases which disproportionately affects men more than women.

In the running for research project of the year, the DETECT team have been developing the world’s first rapid diagnostic test for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, reducing the time needed to identify cases from days to around 30 minutes. For a disease where delays cost lives and increases the risk of transmission, DETECT will make a huge difference.

Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation Giancarlo Biagini said: “It is always rewarding when LSTM is recognised by peers in this way so I’m delighted to see three of our projects shortlisted for Times Higher Education Awards this year.

“ReCITE, LIGHT and DETECT are all brilliant examples of how research at LSTM is translated into practical, usable and life-saving impact both here in the UK and around the world.”

The Times Higher Education Awards, known as the sector’s ‘Oscars’, is an annual celebration of excellence in UK universities.

LSTM hopes to build on the success of recent years: in 2025 LSTM’s Estates team – won Outstanding Estates Team of The Year and in 2024 REDRESS, a project which tackles severe stigmatising skin diseases in Liberia, was named International Collaboration of The Year.

Winners will be announced in November.

Find out more about research and education at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.