UHI finalists announced for Herald Education Awards 2025

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Staff and students from across the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) partnership have been named as finalists in The Herald Education Awards for Further and Higher Education 2025.

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Clockwise from top left: Sam Monie, Student Engagement Coordinator and Deborah Lally, Director of Student Experience at UHI Perth; Dr Euan Bowditch; Professor Chris O’Neil, Principal of UHI Inverness, with Holly Richardson at the UHI Business Competition 2025; Ian Turnbull.

Dr Euan Bowditch, a researcher with the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation and a lecturer at the Scottish School of Forestry, UHI Inverness, has been shortlisted for Research Project of the Year for his work tackling the Dutch elm disease epidemic.

Through his Treescape Fellowship, Dr Bowditch worked in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to identify and collect samples from surviving wych elms in areas where intensive spread of Dutch elm disease had occurred. The study found that the disease had spread 90 miles further north than previously recorded.

UHI Perth has been shortlisted in three categories:

  • Supporting Student Wellbeing Award: The Big Project initiative addresses food insecurity and financial hardship, ensuring that no student has to choose between their education and basic necessities.
  • Outstanding Contribution from a Staff Member: Ian Turnbull, Computing Subject Leader, was nominated by his students for his excellent teaching and passion for sharing his enthusiasm and expertise.
  • Outstanding Contribution from a University Student: Holly Richardson was nominated for being an exceptional and dedicated science student who has transformed challenges into opportunities, demonstrating resilience and commitment.

With a record number of entries, a spokesperson for the judging panel said the judges were "delighted and hugely impressed" by the quality of submissions across all categories in this, the 10th year of the awards.

A total of 18 awards will be presented at the ceremony on Thursday 29 May, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow, in front of an audience of influential and inspirational figures from across Scotland’s further and higher education sectors.