Lancaster University to receive nation’s highest education honour

Lancaster University has been awarded a Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education for its pioneering work that is helping to drive a global transformation in digital literacy.

The nation’s highest education honour is to be awarded to Lancaster University for its creation and development of core technology for the BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized programmable computer.

Through the efforts of many partners including the not-for-profit Micro:bit Educational Foundation, the micro:bit has empowered 66 million children in 85 countries – around 2% of all children on the planet – to become coders and technology creators.

The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education are part of the UK national honours system, recognising outstanding work in universities and colleges at the highest level.

Lancaster University was among 19 prize-winners announced at a reception at St James’s Palace in London. A formal presentation ceremony will take place next year.

From classrooms in the Amazon rainforest to inner-city schools in Los Angeles County, the micro:bit is revolutionising digital learning. With more than 11 million devices inspiring young minds to explore coding and problem-solving, the micro:bit is helping to lay the foundation for an entire generation to develop critical computational thinking skills and explore career paths in technology.

Beyond delivering technical skills, the micro:bit also plays a key role in increasing diversity in computing, helping to close the persistent gender gap in technology.

The micro:bit was created in the UK a decade ago by a BBC-led consortium which included several major technology companies. As the sole academic institution involved, Lancaster University developed the micro:bit’s run-time operating system, helped deliver the hardware, and shaped the coding experience.

Thanks to the continued work of the Micro:bit Educational Foundation, the micro:bit has been adopted at scale by educators across the UK and in countries including Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, Spain, the Western Balkans, Denmark, Norway, Croatia, Uruguay, Brazil, Jamaica and Canada, ensuring digital learning opportunities are accessible to all.

Professor Rebecca Lingwood, interim vice-chancellor of Lancaster University, said: “The micro:bit team embodies Lancaster University’s motto, ‘Truth lies open to all.’ Through innovation, partnership and quiet dedication, they’ve created technology that empowers and inspires young people worldwide. We are immensely proud to receive this award recognising their global impact.”

Prof Joe Finney, of Lancaster University’s school of computing and communications, led the design and development of the micro:bit’s run-time operating system – the invisible magic that powers every device and underpins the micro:bit experience. Its thoughtful and efficient design enables students to exercise their creativity while empowering teachers with a low-cost, practical and reliable teaching tool.

He said: “It is truly fantastic to see Lancaster's work recognised for its contribution to society in this way. It represents the dedication and work of so many people over the past ten years to go from a conceptual idea to a creative, educational platform transforming the lives of over 66 million students worldwide. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what the micro:bit can achieve in the next 10 years.”

Lancaster researchers continue to support the evolution of the micro:bit, working with the UK-based Micro:bit Educational Foundation. In parallel, they also carry out research to better understand the benefits of teaching with the micro:bit and explore new applications for the technology.

Steve Hodges, distinguished professor in computing and digital systems at Lancaster University, has also worked on the micro:bit from the outset of the initiative – initially at Microsoft Research and now at Lancaster University’s School of Computing and Communications.

He said: “This award recognises the work of a great many talented and dedicated people who have provided a wide range of skills and perspectives over the past decade. We’re particularly grateful to our colleagues at the Micro:bit Educational Foundation for their continued dedication to supporting the adoption of the micro:bit around the world, and to Microsoft for their close collaboration on this initiative for over ten years.”

The Queen Elizabeth Prizes have been awarded every two years since 1994 by the Monarch, on the advice of the Prime Minister and following a rigorous, independent review process. This is the sixteenth round of the scheme.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said: “I want to offer my warmest congratulations to all those receiving the Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Higher and Further Education for 2024-26.

“This is a landmark year for the Prizes marking 30 years of recognising and celebrating the tremendous contribution our universities and colleges make to the life of our country.

“The UK has always been a place of learning, invention and ambition. Our institutions of higher and further education are among the very best in the world. They educate the next generation, train our workforce, and lead the cutting-edge research that drives progress, not just here at home but across the world.

“This year’s Prize winners show the strength and breadth of that contribution. From AI-powered language learning to life-saving medical research, from innovation in fire safety to tackling modern slavery. Your work is improving lives, growing our economy, and helping to shape a fairer, more prosperous future.

“I would like to thank all the winners commended this year for their commitment, creativity and contribution to our nation.”

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.”