Stirling receives Queen’s Anniversary Prize for ground-breaking social marketing research

The University of Stirling has received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its ground-breaking social marketing research at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London today.

The University received the award for its globally-recognised research into the effects of marketing on public health, conducted by the Institute for Social Marketing (ISM). Their research has largely focused on the effects of tobacco, alcohol and food marketing on young people’s health, and has also examined the effectiveness of policies designed to protect public health by introducing controls on such marketing.

Recent research conducted by the ISM has investigated the plain packaging of cigarettes and marketing techniques used to promote e-cigarettes to young people.

Professor Linda Bauld, Professor of Health Policy and Director of the Institute for Social Marketing at the University of Stirling, said: "We are delighted that the University of Stirling has been awarded this prize on behalf of ISM's work, in recognition of studies conducted over several decades on the impact of alcohol, tobacco and food marketing on children's health and wellbeing.

“The award provides us with added impetus to keep conducting high quality research that has a direct impact on policy and practice in the UK and internationally. For example we are now exploring new priority areas for public health like e-cigarettes and alcohol promotion in digital media."

Professor Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Stirling, said: “It is a great honour to accept the Queen’s Anniversary Prize on behalf of the University of Stirling.

“Receiving this highly prestigious award for the first time is a landmark accomplishment for the University and recognises the hard work and commitment shown by all of our staff in the Institute for Social Marketing. I look forward to the University continuing our ground-breaking and innovative social marketing research in the future.”

The Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education are awarded biennially in recognition of outstanding work within universities and colleges in the UK. They are the UK’s highest form of national recognition open to academic and vocational institutions.