Two research projects at the University of Central Lancashire have been shortlisted for prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Awards. 

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Research exposing contaminated soil around Grenfell Tower has been shortlisted for Research Project of the Year (STEM), while a collaborative project working with refugees on the Greek island of Lesvos is a contender for International Collaboration of the Year. 

The Grenfell study, which showed significant contamination by carcinogenic fire residues in soil surrounding Grenfell Tower, was run by UCLan Professor of Fire Chemistry and Toxicity Anna Stec.

It led to her giving evidence to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee and subsequent Government recommendations, including health screening for the local population and firefighters active on the night of the fire.

Anna said: “I have worked hard to make sure that serious long-term health risks caused by the Grenfell Tower Fire aren’t ignored and additional screenings are put in place.

“I am delighted to be shortlisted for a THE Award.”

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The University has also been recognised for its efforts to support the thousands of child refugees living on the island of Lesvos.

Its ‘Letters from Lesvos’ project, was led by Professor Ali Melling MBE, Director of the Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership at UCLan.

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Dr Melling and her team worked with The UN Refugee Agency, the University of the Aegean, Metadrasi – Action for Migration and Development and other NGOs to give a voice to children fleeing conflict or persecution.

They did this through art projects, peer support and a planned e-book sharing dialogue between Metadrasi, asylum-seeking children, and children from partner school Marsden Heights Community College in Brierfield, East Lancashire.

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Professor Melling said: “Through the Letters to Lesvos project, we wanted to create a welcoming environment for refugees and asylum seekers and importantly give vulnerable children a voice to share their experiences with the outside world.  

“All of the children we worked with had undertaken perilous journeys and experienced significant trauma before their arrival on Lesvos, so it is important that their stories are told.

“In the e-book we are planning to publish, we want to inform other children, policymakers and strategists about the realities of life as an unaccompanied child asylum seeker.

“To see the project shortlisted for the International Collaboration of the Year Award reinforces its significance.”

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Winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday 26 November.

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What do you think of these projects? Let us know in the comments.