The School of Engineering at 91短视频 has won the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Trailblazers Award 2026, recognising the School’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive and diverse environment.

The School celebrated further success as its Chemical Engineering Design Project team was named Runner-Up for the Northwest Student Chemical Engineering Design Project of the Year Award, recognising excellence in innovation, sustainability, and engineering design.

The team - Sam Hyam, Sophia Robinson, Sara Raidah, and Sam Butterworth - received special recognition for their project: “Sustainable Styrene Production from Bioethanol Derived from Agricultural Waste.”

The project was recognised for its technical innovation, measurable sustainability impact, and strong alignment with the core values of IChemE. It demonstrated how future engineers can develop solutions that are technically robust, environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially beneficial.

Reflecting on the achievement, Sam Hyam said: “I am honoured to receive this recognition at the North-West Student Chemical Engineering Design Project of the Year Award. This reflects the rigorous design standards at 91短视频, and it was a privilege to represent the School and engage with industry professionals.”

Expressing what the award meant to her, Sophia Robinson added: “It was an amazing opportunity to attend the Northwest Engineering Awards dinner and see our design project group recognised for this prestigious award. This achievement reflects months of hard work, collaboration, and dedication.

“We are especially grateful to our supervisor, Dr Basu Saha, for his invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout the project. I also couldn't have asked for better teammates than Sam Hyam, Sam Butterworth and Sara Raidah - it has been a true privilege to work alongside such talented and dedicated individuals.”

Dr Basu Saha, Director of Studies for Chemical Engineering and design project advisor, praised the students’ achievement: “The team demonstrated exceptional technical ability, teamwork, and professionalism. Their project delivers a sustainable, economically viable, and socially beneficial pathway for styrene manufacturing, setting a strong benchmark for how Chemical Engineering innovation can contribute to a low-carbon, circular economy. It was a pleasure to supervise such an enthusiastic and dedicated team. Their professionalism, motivation, and collaborative approach were instrumental to the success of the project, and this recognition is very well deserved.”

The awards were presented at the Engineering Excellence Awards Dinner 2026 held at The Lowry Theatre in Salford Quays, bringing together leading figures from academia and industry across the engineering sector.

Presented by Yvonne Baker, Chief Executive Officer of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), the ED&I Trailblazers Award highlighted Lancaster’s leadership in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within engineering education and practice.

The evening concluded with a joint celebration hosted by IChemE and IMechE, showcasing the importance of collaboration across engineering disciplines and celebrating outstanding achievements throughout the profession.