The Scottish Arts and Humanities Alliance (SAHA) congratulates The University of Glasgow for having been awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher Education for the work of the world’s leading centre for the study of Scotland’s national poet.
The Prize was awarded to the University in recognition of the range and impact of the projects undertaken at the Centre for Robert Burns Studies, chiefly Editing and Curating Burns for the 21st Century.
The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes celebrate excellence, innovation and public benefit in work carried out by UK colleges and universities. The Prizes – which showcase the positive impact of research on education, the economy and wider society – are the highest national Honour awarded in UK further and higher education and are granted every two years. They are run by the Royal Anniversary Trust, an independent charity.
This is the 6th time that the University of Glasgow has won a Queen’s Anniversary Prize. Previously the University won in 1994, 1998, 2013, 2017 and 2021. This is however the first Queen’s Anniversary Prize awarded for a Scottish literature project.
Professor Jo Gill, Vice-Principal, and the Head of the College of Arts & Humanities at the University of Glasgow and member of SAHA’s Steering Committee, said:
“It is a superb honour for our colleagues and students at the Centre for Robert Burns Studies to be recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize.
“It is also a great example of the University’s continued commitment to supporting world- leading research in the Arts and Humanities.
“This award is well deserved recognition for the commitment of our staff and students over many years to the scholarship of Scotland’s acclaimed poet and to the Centre’s work in engaging a new generation of readers from around the world.”
Professor Murray Pittock MAE FRSE, SAHA co-Chair said:
“I am delighted to hear the Centre for Robert Burns Studies was awarded with one of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize awards. It is an excellent recognition of the hard work done by the vast pool of talent that allows this project to thrive.
“Robert Burns still an active contributor to Scotland, his brand brings nearly £140 million annually and he generates over £200 million a year to the Scottish economy. This prize will help further highlight the importance of promoting Scottish literature, tradition and culture at home and abroad.
“Congratulations to the entire team at the Centre for Robert Burns Studies.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The Queen’s Anniversary Prize scheme is unique in the honours systems in that it is granted to an institution as a whole (irrespective of the area of work recognised). This is the 15th round celebrated, with the Prize winners due to receive their awards at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace in February 2024. The Prizes are managed by The Royal Anniversary Trust, which is an independent charity. The Trust was established in 1990 to create a national programme of educational activities and other events marking the 40th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s accession in 1992 and in appreciation of her many years of service as Head of State.
More information about the Centre for Robert Burns Study is available here
