Edge Hill University and senior EU official meet to discuss UK-EU research and innovation
Edge Hill University welcomed Elias Centellas, First Councillor of the EU Delegation, to the Ormskirk campus to discuss the Erasmus+ programme with senior leaders.
Elias also delivered a talk to students and staff from Edge Hill as well as visitors from the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.
Mr Centellas’ insightful visit, organised by Edge Hill’s student-led European Union Society in collaboration with the Politics Lab and politics department, was a milestone for the University.
Dr Steven Daniels, Lecturer in Politics, said: “Elias’ visit shows the commitment Edge Hill has to educating students about the ‘real world’.
“Learning directly from high-level international diplomats is a wonderful opportunity for students to grow their portfolios and complements our existing networks of MPs, Lords and Government Ministers well.”
Jamie Holliday, a second year history and politics student and co-founder of the European Union Society, said: “Meeting Elias was an amazing opportunity for us, both as students and as the founding committee members of the new EU Society, to learn about the workings of UK-EU relations post-Brexit from someone actively working in that field.
“It was a great space to make connections with people active in politics and allowed our new society to have something under its belt to say ‘look what we can do’.”
Find out more about Edge Hill University’s Erasmus programme.
Edge Hill education lecturer awarded grant by International Olympic Committee
Greg Irving, Professor of Primary Care and Director of the Health Research Institute, has been awarded a prestigious NIHR Senior Investigator Award.
This is the first time this competitive award has been conferred on a member of Edge Hill University staff and Greg is one of only a handful of academic GPs to ever receive this award nationally.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research Senior Investigator Awards are among the most selective and prestigious honours in UK health and care research, recognising a small number of senior academics who demonstrate internationally leading research excellence, sustained impact and national leadership.
Professor Irving has been recognised for the quality of his research and his influence on policy, practice and the wider research system.
“I am extremely honoured and particularly proud that this is the first award of its kind for Edge Hill University.
“The funding will be used to help build primary care research capacity, supporting clinicians, practices and emerging research leaders to develop and deliver research that makes a real difference to patient care.”
Professor Irving is also the NIHR National Specialty Lead for General Practice within the NIHR Research Delivery Network, providing national leadership for the development and delivery of research in primary care settings across England.
He works clinically at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre, run by Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which host an NIHR Primary Care Research Hub.
The funding will help to strengthen research leadership, expanding opportunities for participation in research within general practice, and ensuring that studies reflect the needs of patients and communities.
Professor Irving has made a sustained contribution to applied primary care research, playing a key role in embedding research in everyday clinical practice and fostering collaboration between universities, the NHS and community partners.
The award represents a significant milestone for Edge Hill, reflecting the University’s growing national and international profile in health and care research and a commitment to research that delivers tangible benefits for patients, practitioners and communities.
Edge Hill University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor George Talbot added: “I am delighted to congratulate Greg on this prestigious award.
“As Director of our Health Research Institute, Professor Irving displays excellent leadership by example.
“Translating ideas into action is a pillar of our new strategy and the research of his team will make palpable changes to the lives of so many people across the North West and ensure that our teaching inspires the next generation of health professionals.”
The NIHR Senior Investigator Award supports senior researchers to undertake strategic leadership activities, including mentoring, capacity building, and shaping the future direction of health and care research in England.
Find out more about research at Edge Hill University.
Edge Hill researchers delve into University’s founding years with British Academy grant
The Research Catalyst group, consisting of archivists and researchers from the Department of History, Geography and Social Sciences (HiGGS), have collaborated with Lincoln Bishop University (LBU) on a fascinating teacher training project.
‘Developing an Understanding of Women’s Teacher Training Colleges in Britain and Their Archives, 1836-1914’ explores the transformation of the teaching profession for women, from its early days at trailblazing institutions like Edge Hill and Bishop Grosseteste University (now LBU).
Research Catalyst aims to develop awareness and research for use in teaching, with schools and for the development of local and regional networks.
Co-lead Professor Alyson Brown said: “We feel we have achieved a lot in the three and a half years since our group was launched, including a schools archives competition, training a research intern, conference papers and public facing publications.
“We are beginning to make meaningful connections and partnerships externally which will further enhance the use of Edge Hill’s archive and support good quality academic research which can also be shared with the wider public.”
The team have now received a British Academy Grant, enabling the employment of a research assistant, and are planning to host a workshop event in Liverpool on 2 June.
They hope to build a better understanding of women’s teacher-training colleges, those who attended and taught at them, their experiences at college and their lives thereafter.
Co-lead Dan Copley, Edge Hill archivist, added: “We will bring together scholars to build a national picture of what archival resources exist about these trainees, while producing a national archive directory for history societies.
“The project will delve into a significant period of the University’s history, which paved the way for future generations of female teachers.”
Find out more about research at Edge Hill University.
School of Nursing and Midwifery awarded Gold Commendation by Skills for Care
The team was awarded for their exemplary leadership in enabling social care nursing placements.
The University is the first in the country to receive the commendation from Skills for Care, which supports the adult social care sector.
Jodie Roberts, senior lecturer in practice learning, said: “Taking our civic duty seriously, we work with partners to strengthen the healthcare workforce and widen opportunities.
“Through forward-thinking approaches, including a Joint Care Sector Fellowship, strong placement partnerships and a curriculum embedding social care, we ensure students gain meaningful experience in diverse settings.
“This prepares them to be highly employable and versatile in a changing care landscape.”
Skills for Care recognises universities, colleges and social care providers which demonstrate exceptional commitment to developing future nursing professionals who understand and value social care as part of an integrated health and care system.
Find out more about studying at Edge Hill University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery.
March 27, 2026
