We at Energy House Labs are proud to have been awarded the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education, recognising the collective work and impact of our teams across Energy House 1, Energy House 2.0, the Thermal Measurement Laboratory, and the Smart Meters & Smart Homes Lab.
The Prize was formally collected on Tuesday 24 February 2026 at St James’s Palace. Along with Chair of Council Lord Keith Bradley and Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Beech, the day brought together colleagues from across Energy House Labs, with each of our labs represented throughout the celebrations to mark this shared achievement.
Representing Energy House Labs
Colleagues attending the Palace ceremony included:
Professor Will Swan, Professor Richard Fitton, Grant Henshaw, Benjamin Roberts, Lorna Brooke and Xinyi Zhang.
The celebrations continued into the evening, with colleagues attending the dinner:
Professor Will Swan, Professor Richard Fitton, Professor Lubo Jankovic, Dr Ioannis Paraskevas, Ian Rattigan, and Charlotte Houghton.
This broad representation reflects the collaborative nature of Energy House Labs and the contribution of teams across all our labs in achieving this prestigious recognition.
Why we won
The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education recognises Energy House Labs for pioneering research driving innovation in sustainable building design and tackling fuel poverty. Our teams have delivered world-leading studies that bridge cutting-edge research with real-world impact, helping households across the UK save money on energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and improve the quality of homes. From testing advanced heating systems to shaping retrofit strategies for thousands of homes, and collaborating with over 50 businesses through our Innovation Accelerator, our work demonstrates both research excellence and tangible benefit to society, which is why Energy House Labs was awarded this prestigious national honour.
A shared achievement
Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Salford, said:
“It was an incredible privilege to be invited to the Palace to receive this prestigious award from Their Majesties. It is recognition of our purpose to innovate to enrich lives, particularly through our commitment to sustainability and tackling the climate crisis.”
Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Labs at the University of Salford, added:
“We’re truly honoured to be presented with the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education by the King and Queen – it has been such a momentous occasion for us. This recognition reflects the incredible commitment and effort of everyone who has been part of Energy House Labs, along with the vital support of our partners.”
This award recognises the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of our entire Energy House Labs community. We are proud of what our teams have achieved together and the real-world impact our work continues to deliver.