Lyell Centre Wins Research Project of the Year at Herald Education Awards
The Lyell Centre has won Research Project of the Year at The Herald Higher Education Awards 2026, an annual celebration of exceptional achievements in Scotland’s further and higher education sectors.
The international 3SIP2C project to tackle plastic pollution in Vietnam was recognised for its wide-ranging impact in addressing one of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges.
Led by Professor Michel Kaiser (Lyell Centre) and Dr Ngo Thi Thuy Huong (Phenikaa University), the five-year initiative brought together a diverse range of scientists and stakeholders to educate and empower Vietnam's coastal communities to better understand the sources, pathways and impacts of plastic pollution, and to develop practical solutions.
Focusing on Vietnam’s extensive coastline, where marine industries underpin billions in economic activity, the project has explored how plastic waste moves through rivers and coastal systems, where it accumulates, and how it affects ecosystems, human health and livelihoods.
A defining feature of the project is its interdisciplinary approach, spanning environmental science, business, health and policy. By working closely with stakeholders - from fishers and local communities to government and industry - the project has helped inform more effective and equitable strategies for managing plastic waste and reducing its impacts.
Professor Michel Kaiser, project lead and Co-Director at the Lyell Centre for Earth and Marine Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, said: “We are thrilled to receive this award, which recognises the real-world impact of our research. This project demonstrates that plastic pollution is not only an environmental issue, but also a serious economic and social challenge for vulnerable coastal communities. By working closely with fishers, communities, schools and government, we have identified where impacts are most acute and developed practical solutions that support both livelihoods and the environment.”
Alongside its scientific findings, the project has prioritised community-led solutions and behaviour change. Communities involved proposed initiatives such as incentive-based plastic collection schemes, where fishers are compensated for removing waste from the ocean. The project has also supported citizen science activities and engagement with policymakers, helping to inform more effective and equitable approaches to marine management.
Professor Chris Turney, Deputy Principal for Research and Innovation at Heriot-Watt University, said: “This award is fantastic recognition of the Lyell Centre’s commitment to delivering research with meaningful global impact. The 3SIP2C project showcases how international collaboration can address some of the most pressing environmental and societal challenges, while supporting the communities most affected. It highlights the strength of Heriot-Watt’s research in driving innovation, sustainability and positive change worldwide.”
Funded by UKRI-NERC through the Global Challenges Research Fund, the project contributes to wider efforts to tackle plastic pollution in Vietnam, which accounts for an estimated four per cent of global marine plastic waste. It also reflects the Lyell Centre’s focus on interdisciplinary research that connects environmental science with social, economic and policy outcomes, including its work on the wellbeing economy.
The award comes as the Lyell Centre marks its 10th anniversary in 2026, celebrating a decade of interdisciplinary research addressing global environmental challenges.
The University’s Campbell Maths Gym was also shortlisted as a finalist in the Enhancing Student Learning (sponsored by QAA) category in recognition of its innovative, cross‑campus support for students to strengthen their mathematical skills and confidence. Since launching in 2020, the Maths Gym has grown into a global service supporting students across our different campus locations.