London Metropolitan University has been named one of just 19 UK institutions to receive the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Prize for Higher and Further Education, recognising nearly four
decades of pioneering work by its Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit (CWASU).
The award will be formally presented this evening at St James’s Palace during a ceremony hosted by the Royal Anniversary Trust and held with the permission of His Majesty The King.
The accolade celebrates the profound influence of CWASU, led since its inception by Professor Liz Kelly. Over the years, the unit’s research has played a defining role in shaping national policy and frontline responses to violence against women and children. Its work has contributed to landmark developments such as the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and the nationwide establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres.
CWASU’s expertise continues to guide policing practices, legislative reforms, survivor support services and international policy frameworks. Among its global contributions is research supporting implementation of the Istanbul Convention — the Council of Europe treaty obliging governments to prevent violence against women and ensure protection for those affected.
The unit also broke new ground in higher education by creating one of Europe’s first postgraduate degrees dedicated to tackling all forms of violence against women and children. The MA Woman and Child Abuse programme remains a leading course in the field and has trained successive generations of practitioners, service leaders and policy specialists across the UK and beyond.
Professor Julie Hall, Vice-Chancellor of London Metropolitan University, said: "This award reflects the extraordinary contribution that the CWASU team has made to national and international policy, law reform and survivor support. It is a powerful example of London Met’s rigorous research, meaningful partnerships and our commitment to social justice.”
Professor Fiona Vera-Gray, Co-Director of CWASU, said: "It is wonderful to see CWASU recognised at the highest level for work that has now spanned almost four decades. We have always been committed to producing useful knowledge - evidence rooted in grassroots practice, developed alongside those working directly with survivors. We are especially proud that most of our researchers have worked as practitioners and that so many of our students go on to lead change."
Professor Liz Kelly CBE, Founder of CWASU, said: "This recognition honours work that began before violence against women and girls was widely acknowledged as a distinct area of policy and academic study. CWASU has always had strong links to the third sector. We have developed language, evidence and approaches that are now widespread and accepted framings. I am deeply proud to see this legacy carried forward and renewed by new generations."
Sir Damon Buffini, Chair of the Royal Anniversary Trust, said: “The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education celebrate the power of education to change the world for the better. This much-loved national honour recognises, at the highest level of state, outstanding work in UK universities and colleges, and the remarkable benefit they bring to our economy, society and the wider world. This year we are delighted to honour 19 institutions whose work offers an inspiring snapshot of the excellent and innovative work going on in universities and colleges across the UK. Congratulations all!”. Photo by Alan Stanton, Wikimedia commons.