TLDR: The University of Reading has secured two nominations for the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2025. One project focuses on sustainable cocoa production in Ghana, achieving a 40% yield increase. The other, an AI-powered system, has successfully reduced missed NHS appointments by 40%, saving an estimated £250,000. Both initiatives highlight the university’s commitment to impactful research.
The University of Reading has proudly announced two nominations for the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2025, recognizing its innovative research in sustainable agriculture and artificial intelligence in healthcare. The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Edinburgh on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
One of the nominated projects, an international collaboration led by Dr. Andrew Daymond and Professor Tom Sizmur, is a contender for the “Knowledge Exchange/Transfer Initiative of the Year.” This initiative focuses on making cocoa production in Ghana more sustainable. The project has already demonstrated significant success, with an average yield increase of approximately 40 percent recorded during the 2024 season, achieved through the application of five tonnes of compost per hectare. Furthermore, the team conducted field-based collaborative workshops, providing training to over 1,000 farmers and extension agents. Key collaborators in this endeavor include the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
The second nomination is for “Research Project of the Year (STEM prize),” honoring Professor Weizi Li and Nicholas Berin Chan from Henley Business School. Their groundbreaking work involves developing an artificial intelligence system designed to reduce missed appointments within the NHS. This AI-driven solution has proven highly effective, reducing high-risk non-attendance by 40 percent and generating an estimated £250,000 in cost savings. The system utilizes AI-generated insights to guide staff in conversations with high-risk patients, enabling targeted support based on individual patient needs.
Professor Parveen Yaqoob, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Reading, expressed her enthusiasm for the nominations. “These nominations showcase Reading’s commitment to research that makes a real difference to people’s lives,” she stated. “Our researchers are addressing some of today’s most pressing challenges and are demonstrating how universities can be a force for positive change both locally and globally. It’s fantastic to see this important work recognised at such a prestigious level.”
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The Times Higher Education (THE) Awards are widely regarded as the most significant celebration of UK and Irish higher education, acknowledging excellence across various domains including academia, professional services, leadership, and management.
