2024
Winner of the Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange Award (2024)
In 2024, Professor Zoe Knowles along with LJMU Public Engagement Officer Gemma Reed won the Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange Award for Research Support.
They developed the LJMU Engage programme for University staff and in conjunction with the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement. At the same event our Postgraduate initiative Research Roasters were Highly Commended.
Discover more about their win on our 2024 winners webpage.
2019
The Mersey Forest and the Physical Activity Exchange shortlisted for UKActive Award (2019)
The PA Exchange and The Mersey Forest were shortlisted for a highly prestigious UK Active ‘Communities award. PA Exchange supported the evaluation of a programme called the ‘Natural Health Service’ which uses the natural environment to improve health and wellbeing across Merseyside and North Cheshire.
The award focuses on organisation leading/delivering a physical activity-focused programme, product or initiative that benefits the wider community.
2018
Public Engagement Professional
Professor Zoe Knowles became one of the first National Co-Ordinating Centre for Public Engagement ‘Public Engagement Professionals’ in 2018.
The PEP Network aims to support public engagement professionals across the UK working in higher education and research to access CPD, peer support and the latest thinking on engagement.
Liverpool John Moores University hosted their inaugural event for the scheme in October 2018.
2017
Media champion of the year
In 2017 Professor Graeme Close was awarded the Inaugural SENr media champion of the year in recognition of his work in promoting sport nutrition in the UK and particularly SENr who serve to promote, develop and protect sport nutritionists.
2016
Second Vice Chancellor's award for Dr Zoe Knowles (2016)
Dr Zoe Knowles has received a second award in two years from the Vice Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University for Excellence in Socio-Economic Engagement.
Dr Edward Harcourt, Pro-Vice Chancellor for External Engagement, said Dr Knowles had ‘done exceptional work in developing the School's multi-award winning engagement platform and has developed innovative, inclusive and engaging learning opportunities’. The same award was also received in 2014.
Public Engagement Lead shortlisted for prestigious award
Dr Zoe Knowles was shortlisted for the Educate the North Award for Leadership in April 2016. The award recognises a member of staff within a higher or further education institution that can demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities as well as an inspirational and innovative approach. Dr Knowles has led the F2FSS programme since 2011 which has developed into an engaging programme of events and media delivered by staff and students to promote the discipline. Support for the award was given from National Museums Liverpool and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.
National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement Award for Dr Zoe Knowles
Dr Zoe Knowles, has been accepted into the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE)’s ambassador scheme in the role of Network Co-ordinator. Based at the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences as Public Engagement Lead, Dr Knowles has led the team through a long history of public engagement work with schools and the general public.
This has included engagement events allowing visitors to experience sport and exercise science and explore the research that underpins athletic performance and exercise and physical activity generally. In her role as Network Co-ordinator, Dr Knowles will be supporting and realising the potential of relevant networks, providing access to a range of NCCPE resources and training, sharing knowledge and information and encouraging individuals to increase their public engagement skills. NCCPE commented:
“We’re really excited to be launching the new Public Engagement Ambassador scheme in January, and it’s great to have Zoe and LJMU on board. Our hope is that the scheme will link up and resource networks across the country to build capacity for public engagement. Its success will depend on people like Zoe, who has a fantastic track record developing exceptional public engagement and working as a catalyst to inspire other researchers to get involved.”
Dr Edward Harcourt, PVC External Engagement said:
“I am delighted that Zoe has become a NCCPE ambassador – recognising the excellence of her public engagement leadership within the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and reflecting also the importance that the University attaches to public engagement activity. Through public engagement activity Zoe is ensuring that the School’s research has a broad impact on society at large.”
2015
RISES revealed as Educate North Research Team of the Year
The University’s Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences (RISES) has been named as the Research Team of the Year at the inaugural Educate North Awards.
Educate North aims to celebrate the success and growth of the knowledge sector across the North of England and many of the North’s leading institutions have chosen to engage in this first year of this uniquely Northern initiative.
The School of Sport and Exercise Science is the top sport and exercise science department in the country according to the Research Excellence Framework 2014. It was the first institution in the world to host a single honours programme in sport science and now celebrates 40 years of success enhancing the lives of others, from elite athletes through to public health. RISES covers a range of research areas from childhood obesity, performance analysis and injury prevention, through to learning via imitation in autism.
Judges felt that LJMU displayed world-leading facilities and is a real centre of excellence, which has put the University on the global map. This was with particular reference to their cardiovascular work, which is having an impact and focus on the local community, as well as having a global reach, proving the remarkable reputation of this team.
Professor Dave Richardson, Director of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences said:
"The North Educate Awards is a high profile event that aims to recognise and enhance the role of the education sector in the growth of the Northern Economy. To be awarded for the ‘Research Team of the Year’ is a fantastic achievement for the School’s Research Institute. This is further testament and recognition of the high calibre staff that we have here and also to the exceptional leadership of Professor Keith George, Head of the Research Institute."
Educate North is staged in association with The Daily Telegraph and its partners Barclays and the University of Manchester Intellectual Property UMIP. The winners were announced on 3 June 2015 at an event that showcased the world-class status of many of the North’s leading academic institutions, with a special one-day conference preceding the awards.
2014
Dr Zoe Knowles wins VC award for excellence in Social and Economic Engagement (2014)
Dr Zoe Knowles has won a prestigious 2014 Vice Chancellor award for Social and Economic Engagement.
The award reflects the achievements of the F2FSS programme from the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences over several years and its alignment with the University Strategic plan.
The award was presented by the Vice Chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor for Social and Economic Engagement in July.
Let's Talk Research: Big Comedy Workshop (2014)
The Physical Activity Exchange was one of only four research groups to secure a project supported by NHS Research and Development North West in order to run a one-day “Let’s Talk Research: Big Comedy Shop Workshop”. The purpose of the day, held in April 2014, was to explore the communication of research messages to the public via comedy.
Under the banner Move More, Sit Less, Every Day, the research messages were the promotion of physical activity and reduction of sedentary behaviour, notably total and prolonged sitting time. The workshop offered an excellent medium for team building and films from the day will be used for teaching, research and public engagement purposes.
Face to Face with Sports Science at Universities UK (2014)
F2FSS gained one of fewer than 40 coveted places at the Universities UK public engagement event held in the Natural History Museum, London in June 2014.
2013
Commendation from STEMNET (2013)
F2FSS received a commendation from STEMNET (the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network) with Professor Greg Whyte receiving an individual commendation.
The STEM Ambassadors Programme is a role-model scheme that enables anyone with Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths [STEM] skills to volunteer their time and expertise to inspire young people and demonstrate the possibilities of STEM subjects and careers.
The judges were hugely impressed by the level of dedication of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences in inspiring young people.
Professor Greg Whyte wins multiple awards (2013)
LJMU Professor, Greg Whyte, was awarded an OBE for services to sport, sports science and charity in 2013, while also receiving recognition as one of the UK's top Communicator Scientists by the Science Council.
Professor Whyte is a STEM Ambassador and works with the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences' Public Engagement team.
JMU has been recognised for its public engagement activities with a national quality mark. The university has been awarded the Bronze Engage Watermark in Spring 2026 by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), highlighting its strong foundations for public engagement and its commitment to deepening this work across the institution.
In December 2025, Dr Richie Kirwan won the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Knowledge Exchange in recognition of his work leading an international partnership between Liverpool John Moores University and the Simply Sport Foundation in India.