An impactful multimedia communications campaign raising awareness of the ground-breaking research underway at University of the West of Scotland has been recognised with a national industry award.

UWS team was awarded gold at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards, for its integrated #UWSResearchMatters initiative.

Awarded best Low Budget Campaign, #UWSResearchMatters aims to highlight the ground-breaking impact of research conducted by UWS academics, and the tangible difference it makes to people’s day-to-day lives.

Professor Milan Radosavljevic, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Engagement) at UWS, said: “We know our research is making a significant difference to the lives of people across Scotland and beyond.

We are delighted our research communications campaign has been celebrated with this prestigious industry award. At the heart of communications is storytelling, and the strong stories of the truly globally relevant research underway by academics across our University, coupled with a range of integrated, high-impact communications tactics, is what has made this campaign such a success.

Professor Milan Radosavljevic, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Engagement)

#UWSResearchMatters was developed using a range of effective and engaging written, digital and audio content; highlighting why research really does matter. The research profiled includes using music to share experiences of those affected by Scotland’s criminal justice system, turning algae into biofuel, the impact of dementia, how to get fit using science and tackling modern slavery through theatre.

It included a research-focused social media campaign; a series of short, sharp videos sharing UWS research in an easy-to-understand way; the launch of a new research-focused podcast; and targeted effort to improve the visibility of individual academics within major media outlets, amongst other tactics.

You can listen to the #UWSResearchMatters podcast here.