2026 Engage Watermark Awardees
In April 2026, we were delighted to recognise six institutions and faculties from across the UK with an Engage Watermark, NCCPE’s award scheme for strategic support for public engagement.
This year marked ten years of the Engage Watermark, and the awardees reflect the diversity of contexts, priorities and approaches across the sector. What they share is a clear willingness to reflect honestly on how public engagement is supported and valued within their institution, and to make a visible, long‑term commitment to strengthening that support.
At its heart, the Engage Watermark is about learning, reflection and sustained improvement. Through a rigorous process of evidence‑gathering, surveys, interviews and institutional dialogue, participants gain practical feedback and develop forward‑looking action plans that focus effort where it matters most.
Teesside University - Bronze Engage Watermark
Teesside University was recognised with a Bronze Engage Watermark for its strong foundations for public engagement and a clear commitment to deepening this work across the institution. The assessment highlighted the University’s strong connection to the Tees Valley, with staff and students motivated to contribute to positive regional change through teaching, learning and community partnerships.
Particular strengths included the role of the Community Hub, the value placed on engagement by community partners, and a collaborative approach that brings together academic and professional services staff. Assessors also welcomed Teesside’s thoughtful response to the assessment and a convincing, robust action plan to guide future development.
“Teesside’s commitment to the Tees Valley, and the desire among staff and students to contribute to positive change in the region, is reflected in its teaching excellence and strong community connections.”
Sophie Duncan, NCCPE Co-Director
“Receiving the Bronze Engage Watermark from the NCCPE is an important recognition of the progress we have made in embedding meaningful public and community engagement across Teesside University. Our staff and students are deeply committed to working in partnership with our communities, particularly across the Tees Valley, to ensure that our research, teaching and knowledge exchange deliver real social, cultural and economic impact."
Professor Stephen Cummings, Pro Vice‑Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange) at Teesside University
University of Liverpool - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences - Silver Engage Watermark
The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool engaged carefully and constructively with the Watermark process and was recognised with a Silver Engage Watermark.
The assessment found that public engagement is clearly valued across the Faculty as a core part of its civic identity and academic contribution, underpinned by a strong ethos of social responsibility. Effective leadership, cross‑departmental collaboration and the embedding of engagement within institutional frameworks were highlighted, alongside a proactive and well‑regarded support infrastructure and a thoughtful, well‑designed action plan.
“Public engagement is clearly valued across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool. The strong ethos of social responsibility, together with effective leadership and the embedding of public engagement across the Faculty, is evident in work that addresses real‑world challenges through research, collaboration and knowledge exchange.”
Paul Manners, NCCPE Co-Director
“Public engagement is at the heart of all our activities, reflecting our commitment to addressing societal challenges, maximising the benefit of our research and co-creating the strategies to do with the communities we serve. I am delighted that the faculty has been recognised by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement. This award is a testament to our dedication to strengthening public engagement and supports our vision of undertaking world‑leading research with a clear, measurable impact on society.”
Professor Louise Kenny, Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
University of Chester - Bronze Watermark
The University of Chester was awarded a Bronze Engage Watermark, recognising its deep commitment to the city of Chester and the powerful partnerships it has built locally.
Public engagement is understood as fundamental to creating a university that is open, permeable and oriented towards serving society. The assessment highlighted authentic leadership from the Vice‑Chancellor and senior team, strong staff commitment, the vibrancy of student contribution through the Citizen Student Strategy, and a long‑standing focus on tackling discrimination and inequalities. Recent investment in public engagement infrastructure has brought added clarity and coherence to this work.
“Public engagement is fundamental to creating a university that is open and permeable to different people in different ways, supporting the ambition of creating community and serving society. The ambition of Chester’s approach and the resolute commitment shown by its senior team provide a really strong foundation for the future. We are excited to celebrate the University’s achievements and to see its engagement practice continue to flourish in the years ahead.”
Sophie Duncan, NCCPE Co-Director
“Public and civic engagement have always been fundamental to the University of Chester’s mission. The importance of the relationships we build with our communities has only increased in recent years, in the face of global and local socio-economic challenges. The watermark process has highlighted just how much passion and pride there is within our University community."
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, Professor Eunice Simmons
University of Lancashire - Silver Engage Watermark
The University of Lancashire has been awarded a Silver Engage Watermark, reflecting sustained investment in public engagement and a coherent, institution‑wide approach.
Assessors highlighted the strong commitment shown by senior leaders, particularly through widening participation, and the way engagement activity is consistently showcased internally. The University’s strategic framework, evaluation toolkit and well‑established public engagement team were seen to contribute to a coordinated approach, supported by dedicated funding, effective matchmaking between academics and communities, and strong collaboration across departments.
“We’re delighted to award the University of Lancashire a Silver Engage Watermark. Senior leaders show a strong commitment to public engagement and the university’s strategic framework, evaluation toolkit and public engagement team all contribute to a coherent and coordinated approach.”
Paul Manners, NCCPE Co-Director
“We’re very proud that our public and community engagement has been recognised by the NCCPE. We’re delighted to have been awarded a Watermark and to be the only modern University in the North-West to hold a whole-institution Silver award”
Professor Graham Baldwin, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lancashire
Liverpool John Moores University - Bronze Engage Watermark
Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has been awarded a Bronze Engage Watermark for its strong values‑led commitment to public engagement, rooted in the civic spirit of Liverpool.
The assessment highlighted deep local partnerships, authentic leadership, and growing momentum through initiatives such as LJMU Engage and the Public Engagement Officer role. Communities, staff and students were placed at the heart of LJMU’s impact, with clear potential to scale this work further through joined‑up structures and clearer access routes. A thoughtful and well‑designed action plan provided strategic clarity and ambition for the next phase of development.
“We’re delighted to award Liverpool John Moores University a Bronze Engage Watermark. LJMU has demonstrated a strong values‑led commitment to public engagement rooted in the civic spirit of Liverpool and reflected in thoughtful leadership, purposeful investment and a growing culture of support.”
Paul Manners, NCCPE Co-Director
“Undertaking the Watermark process has given Liverpool John Moores University a valuable moment to pause; to reflect on our journey, our identity, and how our public engagement (PE) is seen both within and beyond our institution. We are very proud to celebrate our achievements so far and look forward to working together to shape our strategic support for engagement in the coming years.”
Prof Keith George, PVC Research and Knowledge Exchange, LJMU
University of Southampton - Silver Engage Watermark
The University of Southampton was awarded a Silver Engage Watermark, recognising public engagement as a core part of its institutional mission and strategy.
Assessors highlighted committed senior leadership, a highly developed culture of support through the Public Engagement Research Unit, and advanced policy instruments and frameworks that underpin this work. Community partners reflected positively on the University’s increasing openness and presence in the city and wider region. The assessment also noted a robust, well‑resourced action plan aligned with institutional priorities and emphasising distributed leadership and partner voice.
“Public engagement is a core strategic commitment for the University of Southampton, shaping its approach to education, research and knowledge exchange. We are delighted to award the university a Silver Engage Watermark. Southampton has shown strong leadership and a highly developed culture of support for public engagement.”
Sophie Duncan, NCCPE Co-Director
"We are honoured and delighted to receive the Silver Engage Watermark, in recognition of our commitment to public engagement. Our festivals, events and roadshows connect researchers with thousands of people of all ages each year, giving them an opportunity to find out more about the world around them."
Professor Mark Spearing, the University of Southampton’s Vice-President for Research and Enterprise
Find out more
The Engage Watermark recognises increasing levels of maturity and excellence in support for public engagement across four award levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Institutions taking part in the process submit evidence of their support for engagement, take part in surveys of staff, students and partners, receive a comprehensive institutional report and roundtable discussion, and develop an action plan to guide future improvement.