Published on 23, December, 2025
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Check out what happened at the University of Sunderland over the last year.
January
Everyone was tuned in earlier this year to the BBC1 series The Traitors, including one of the University’s experts, Dr Mark Ord.
Dr Ord, who specialises in Evolutionary Psychology, explored the question, What makes a good traitor: “The Traitors taps into something very deep in individuals. As a species we are cooperative; we need a social environment to survive, and how you navigate that environment impacts the resources you get.
“But underneath all of that, there’s always a risk that individuals are trying to take advantage of you to get those resources.”
Putting Sunderland on the music map
January came with the announcement that Sunderland had won its bid to become a Music City, joining Manchester to become the only other UK city to join the network. The Music City Network connects cities worldwide to support music industry growth, economic development and cultural exchange.
Lee Hall, Head of the School of Media and Creative Industries at the University of Sunderland, reacting to the news said: “Music is a vital release and viable career, and the Music City status will support the artists, producers, technicians and a myriad of other aspiring industry professionals by throwing a new spotlight on the city.”
Sustainability first for Sunderland film students
Media Production students were some of the first in the UK to receive a new accreditation from BAFTA albert proving that their films were sustainably made.
To show that their film, The Snakebite Anthology, was produced sustainably, students had to consider their carbon footprint and demonstrate their efforts.
Gary Stubbs, Senior Lecturer in Media Production at the University, said: "Integrating BAFTA albert into education for film and TV is essential; it empowers the next generation of creatives to produce inspiring stories while understanding their responsibility to the planet.”
February
EQUITA study backed by new funding
The University of Sunderland was awarded more than half a million pounds for a new study which aims to tackle health inequalities in Black communities.
EQUITA (EQUITy in Black Adult health), which has received £618,000 from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), will focus on a co-produced, faith-placed intervention designed to increase the uptake of breast, cervical, bowel, and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening in the north-east of England, Leeds and Scotland.
Dr Floor Christie-de Jong, Associate Professor in Public Health for Medicine at the University of Sunderland, leads the research alongside co-lead Dr Judith Eberhardt, Associate Professor of Psychology at Teesside University. The Sunderland and Teesside researchers are part of Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health.
This collaborative project involves researchers and practitioners from the Universities of Glasgow, Teesside, Northumbria and Leeds Beckett, as well as Middlesbrough Council, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.
Championing the next generation of retail leaders
The Chancellor’s Scholarship was launched in February, giving students the chance to access transformative opportunities to kick-start their careers in retail.
Leanne Cahill, university alumna, University Chancellor and CEO of homeware retailer icon, launched The Futures Fund: Chancellor’s Scholarship which offers a comprehensive package of financial assistance, industry internships, professional training and mentoring to break into the retail industry.
Leanne said: “The scholarship will give students a unique insight into the breadth of roles and opportunities available in one of the UK’s most important sectors and equip them with the skills they need to make their mark.”
March
Honouring healthcare workers past, present and future
Marking the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdown, Johannah Churchill, Lecturer of Contemporary Photography, launched her new photography series Future Care that pays tribute to healthcare workers past, present and future.
The series features her iconic image Melanie, March 2020, which featured in the Princess of Wales’ Hold Still photography project at the National Portrait Gallery in 2020 and was part of a mural in Manchester over the pandemic.
Two additional portraits of healthcare students from the University taken by Johannah have been added to Melanie, March 2020 to create the Future Care series, which was revealed at an event at the John Dawson Sciences Complex at the University.
The University’s new Harbour Exchange campus in London was officially opened in March by the Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, and Member of Parliament for Houghton and Sunderland South.
The opening of the £10million campus is based in one of the capital’s key financial districts and is training the next generation of business leaders, financiers and the NHS workforce of tomorrow.
Alan Hardie, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International Office and Branch Campuses) at the University, said: “The new campus, with its state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities, will drive our commitment to supporting student success and enhance our presence in the Canary Wharf area.”
Student paramedic helps save hiker caught in avalanche
A student paramedic at the University of Sunderland put his life saving training into action after two hikers were caught in an avalanche in the Cairngorms.
During a week of winter mountaineering, first-year student Rowhyn Gallagher hiked to Aladdin’s Couloir with his partner and friends when they saw the hikers get caught in an avalanche.
Joined by the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service, both Rowhyn and Jasmine began attending to the patient in extreme snowy conditions.
Rowhyn and Jasmine went on to continue in the patient’s care right through to getting her to an ambulance, which involved carrying the patient more than three miles to the nearest road due to the freezing conditions and avalanche-prone slopes.
April
Unlocking the life of a broadcasting legend
In April, a curated collection cataloguing the life and work of trailblazing BBC journalist and author Kate Adie was officially launched.
The collection is made up of a wealth of notebooks, tapes, letters, pictures, video and even fan mail donated to the University in 2005 by Kate. This archive, now part of the University’s special collections made possible through funding from Archives Revealed. The funding supported the employment of a dedicated Project Archivist, Dr Ellie Clewlow, who, for the last 12 months, has worked tirelessly to catalogue the Kate Adie Collection.
The launch of the collection included an ‘In conversation’-style talk where local media personality and Sunderland honorary graduate, Jeff Brown, asked Kate to talk through some of the artefacts from her collection and how they relate to her career.
May
Recognised for mental health support
The University successfully achieved the University Mental Health Charter (UMHC) Award, making it one of just seventeen institutions at the time to be recognised by Student Minds.
The award spotlights institutions that have implemented a whole-community approach to student and staff mental health.
Tracey McKenzie, Head of Student Support at the University of Sunderland, said: "This achievement means so much to us and reflects both the strength of our community and the inspiring model at the University of Sunderland.”
Knowledge Transfer Partnership portfolio hits £1.1m
In May, the University hit a new milestone as its portfolio of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) was worth more than a million pounds.
A KTP is a partnership between a university and a business, where a graduate works in the business for a period of time, bringing in academic expertise and helping to develop the business.
Each project can last up to three years and aims to foster innovation as well as provide graduates with valuable industry experience.
June
Marking a milestone to train the healthcare workers of the future
The University saw its partner, the Northumbria Health and Care Academy, officially open its new facilities in June to provide training and education to the current and future NHS workforce.
The opening event saw representatives from the University, Northumbia Healthcare Facilities Management, Assura plc and Northumbria Primary Care come together to celebrate the collaborative project.
The bespoke facility offers an ever-expanding range of courses to nurses, midwives and allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, radiographers, podiatrists and occupational therapists.
July
Celebrating success at Summer Graduations
Thousands of students crossed the stage at the University’s summer graduation ceremonies, including its first-ever class of trainee teachers with specialised educational needs and disabilities (SEND) training.
One of those students, Jack Walton, has now started his career in a primary school in the region and graduated alongside other BA Primary and SEND Education with QTS students.
At the time, Jack said: “I'm thrilled to be graduating from the University of Sunderland and beginning my teaching journey. It has been a fantastic three years, and everyone has been so supportive. I’ve secured a job at an amazing school, where I completed my mainstream placement. I'm going to be teaching year two.”
The University also welcomed broadcasting legend Jeff Brown and former MP for Sunderland Central, Baroness Elliot of Whitley Bay as new Pro-Chancellors. This comes as former Pro-Chancellors Margaret Fay CBE and The Rt Hon Baroness Morris of Yardley PC stepped down after their five-year term.
Support for care-experienced recognised as ‘exceptional’
The University received a renewed National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) Quality Mark in July, achieving exceptional marks in all seven categories – the only university to do so.
The NNECL Quality Mark is an award which supports higher and further education institutions to achieve the best outcomes for their care-experienced and estranged students.
The University was chosen as the primary filming location for UK feature Trash TV, starring internationally renowned actor Noah Taylor (Game of Thrones, Peaky Blinders, Almost Famous) as the lead role.
The project was shot entirely in the north-east, including at the David Puttnam Media Centre, St Peter’s Campus, where the crew made use of the University’s industry-standard facilities, such as the TV studio, for key scenes.
The film is the first in a partnership between the University and independent production company Turnover XXV, co-founded by acclaimed north-east actor and filmmaker, Craig Conway, and international business executive Amita Krishna.
Through this collaboration, Turnover XXV is offering real-world opportunities for students and recent graduates, integrating them into live productions and equipping them with the skills and credits they need to launch careers in film.
August
Celebrating the Women’s Rugby World Cup
All eyes were on the city as Sunderland welcomed fans from across the world to the Stadium of Light for the opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Staff and students from the University join in the celebrations, with Team Sunderland taking part in the festivities at the Fan Village based in Keel Square.
The UK Shared Prosperity Sunderland Skills and Inclusion Programme (SSIP) managed by Sunderland City Council and delivered by the University of Sunderland, was extended for another year, thanks to a cash injection of more than £1 million.
Over 100 fully funded courses are being offered through the University and a consortium of training partners to help support the needs of businesses and their employees across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, finance, esports, education and digital skills.
Strengthening the University’s governance
The University announced a series of new appointments to its Board of Governors who have taken up their roles throughout the year.
Since August, the university has welcomed to its board of governors Professor Gavin Brooks, Debre Leeves, Catherine Winfield, Professor Trevor McMillan, Alison Harkness, Adewunmi Adeoye, Suraj Acharya and Councillor Michael Mordey who will all oversee the institution’s life-changing mission.
September
Capital Breakfast crashes our campus
During Freshers’ week, Presenter Sonny Jay and the team from Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby broadcasted live from the Spark studios at the University’s St. Peter’s Campus to London, giving a returning student the chance to win big.
Lucy Ann Hughes, who studies Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care at the University, joined Alum Jordan, Chris and Sian on air from Sunderland for ‘Crash your Campus’ with eBay.
University named top 30 institution by Guardian
The University of Sunderland was named one of the UK's Top 30 universities for the first time.
Delighted staff and students celebrated as the University was ranked 27th in The Guardian University Guide 2026, which was published in September.
The University’s Pharmacy degree also ranked number one in the Guide for a second year in a row. The course was also first in the UK for graduate prospects in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
October
Groundbreaking drug taken to Clinical Trial
Researchers at the University were awarded nearly £4 million to take a drug, discovered by an “inspirational” Sunderland scientist dedicated to improving the treatment of patients with a rare, life-threatening genetic disease, into clinical trials.
Professor Roz Anderson, who lost her life to cancer in the summer of 2018, had worked tirelessly to secure a grant from the Medical Research Council (MRC) which would take her research work – designing drugs to treat and improve the quality of life for cystinosis patients – into preclinical trials.
In 2018, the MRC Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme awarded £1.6 million to the University of Sunderland and collaborators to complete the pre-clinical development stage started by Professor Anderson.
Now, the team has received a further £3.9 million from the MRC to take the drug into clinical trials.
A new Pro Vice-Chancellor joins the University
In October, the University announced that Dr Alex Hope has been appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor (Faculty of Business and Technology).
A Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Dr Hope’s internationally recognised research informs policy and practice across higher education, industry, and government. He is a trusted advisor to industry and policymakers, building high-impact partnerships across academia, business, and the third sector.
On joining the University of Sunderland, Dr Hope said: “Sunderland’s mission resonates deeply with my own values as a leader and educator. This is a university with a clear sense of purpose, a strong civic ethos, and a real opportunity to shape the future of business and technology education in the north-east and beyond.”
Strengthening ties to the city
The University started its consultation with its staff and students as it embarked on a visionary long-term strategy, aiming to transform its campus buildings and facilities, and further strengthen its role in the city's regeneration.
The University City Masterplan (UCM) is designed to ensure its Sunderland estate is fit for the decades ahead. The plan will seek views on how the University could reimagine its buildings and facilities to deliver world-class education, foster innovation, and contribute to the growth and vibrancy of the city.
November
University recognised for sustainability action
The University was recognised for its environmental sustainability action by the Green Gown Awards UK & Ireland after it won two categories in November.
This year, the University of Sunderland were successful in winning two awards:
- Creating Impact: ‘Recover, Re-use, Repair & Produce’ to reduce waste in healthcare technical support
- Sustainability Champion (Staff) Gary Stubbs
The University was also highly commended in the Tomorrow’s Employees category due to its work to help to create a sustainable screen industry and instil green skills to help shape the filmmakers of the future.
A hub for applied sustainability innovation
This month also saw the launch of the MDIS-University of Sunderland Centre for Applied Sustainability Research and Innovation.
The Centre is a landmark initiative by a private education institution in Singapore in partnership with a UK university. It aims to support Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 and the national goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
BBC Verify helps students combat fake news
BBC Academy Live Presents BBC Verify on Tour teamed up with the University of Sunderland to give students the ultimate toolkit to take on the world of media, fake news and viral hype.
More than 100 young people from schools and colleges across the north-east attended a day of events, both virtual and in-person, designed to improve media literacy.
The day was hosted by BBC Radio Tees presenter and Sunderland graduate, Emma Millen, while staff from the BBC and the University led sessions on how to find trusted sources of information, fact-checking, how to verify photos or video found online, responsible use of AI, as well as crash courses in broadcast TV and podcasting.
December
Business students break fundraising record
Students from the University took just £25 and transformed it into over £12,700 in a challenge to raise money for charity.
First-year Business and Management students worked together in teams to turn a starting budget of £25 per team into as much cash as possible for a local charity.
The annual ‘Take £25’ Challenge raised a record-breaking £12,743.30 (inc. Gift Aid) across 24 teams of students for The Children’s Foundation after four weeks of fundraising activity.
World-leading health research institute coming to Sunderland
The University of Sunderland and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) are now working to create a world-leading joined-up data centre with eye health technology at its heart, to help researchers and doctors understand who may be at higher risk of certain illnesses and how diseases develop over time.
The £4.2million Northern Ophthalmic Research and Innovation Institute will be based at the University, close to the region’s new Eye Hospital in Sunderland, helping transform the detection and prevention of eye disease by linking routine scans with secure NHS and community health data.
Rising the ranks of sustainability
The University of Sunderland has risen 45 places in the People & Planet University League for its sustainability efforts.
The People & Planet University League is the only comprehensive and independent league table of UK universities ranked by environmental and ethical performance.
In the latest league table, the University achieved 52nd place and a 2:1 classification, reflecting significant progress from its previous 2:2.
The University of Sunderland has published its Annual Report for 2024/25. You can read the full report here.