Teesside University celebrates double award success

A Teesside University leader and a doctoral researcher were celebrated at the Alliance Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to higher education, research and communities.

Professor Paul Croney OBE, who served 11 years as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Teesside University before his retirement last month, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The prestigious accolade recognised his transformative leadership career which has championed widening participation, academic excellence, regional impact and the vital role universities can play in driving social mobility and economic growth.

Jake Milner collected the Doctoral Training Alliance (DTA) Alumni Award for his contributions to research, innovation and the wider doctoral community.

A graduate of Teesside University's BA History and MA History programmes, Jake is currently studying for a PhD focused on deindustrialisation and decarbonisation in the Tees Valley.

This success follows further national recognition for Teesside University after it was recently shortlisted in the Outstanding Support for Students category of the Times Higher Education Awards 2026.

Teesside University is proud to be the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2025.

Professor Mark Simpson, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Teesside University, said: “This double success is a fantastic achievement and reflects the talent, dedication and impact of our university community.

“National recognition through the Alliance Awards, alongside our recent Times Higher Education Awards shortlisting, highlights the strength of the work taking place across Teesside University and the positive difference we continue to make for students, communities and industry."

The Alliance Awards are organised by University Alliance, which represents 20 of the UK’s leading professional and technical universities.

The awards ceremony took place on Thursday 3 September at the University of Derby.

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