Queen's Anniversary Prize 2011

World-renowned science, technology and management institution, Cranfield University, has been awarded a 2011 Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its world-leading work in aviation safety through research and training in air accident investigation.

The Cranfield Safety and Accident Investigation Centre is a world-leading provider of air accident investigation training and research, making it a major contributor to international aviation safety.  Over the last 30 years, it has trained over 1,000 air accident investigators and safety managers for national investigation agencies, the military, airlines, regulators and manufacturers. Past students have gone on to investigate some of the most serious aviation accidents in every continent including most recently, the Qantas Airbus A380 engine failure of late 2010.

Professor Graham Braithwaite, Head of the Department of Air Transport said: “We are absolutely delighted with this prestigious award in recognition of the role our work has played in assuring the safety of travellers worldwide. The industry as a whole has benefited from the University’s work in aviation safety including passenger behaviour and fire evacuation procedures”.

In recent years the University’s expertise has also been applied to the rail and marine sectors through a range of innovative courses and a new MSc degree programme for accident investigators.

This is the third time the University has been awarded The Queen’s anniversary prize. It was recognised in 2007 for its international role in humanitarian demining and in 2005 for its Fellowship in Manufacturing Management.

The Prizes are a biennial award scheme which is within the UK’s national honours system. They are the UK’s most prestigious form of national recognition open to a UK academic or vocational institution.  

 

About the Accident Investigation Centre

The Safety and Accident Investigation Centre has a world-wide reputation for excellence. The UK’s Department for Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority and the MOD turn to Cranfield with its deep knowledge of the aviation sector, to spearhead critical research and training across the UK’s aviation fleet. The facilities give students the opportunity to experience practical ‘real-life’ situations. Students gain skills in evidence collection and witness interviewing and analysis, through simulated accidents staged on the University’s own airport.

 

About the Royal Anniversary Trust

The Royal Anniversary Trust is an independent charity - registered number 1,000,000 -concerned with the advancement of education for public benefit.  It was set up in 1990 with the object of carrying out a programme of events and activities during 1992, funded and supported from private sources with official endorsement, to mark the 40th anniversary of The Queen’s accession and her years of service as Head of State.  The Trust currently works to promote world class excellence in UK universities and colleges through The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education.

 

The Prizes are a biennial award scheme which is within the UK’s national honours system.  As such they are the UK’s most prestigious form of national recognition open to a UK academic or vocational institution.  The honour is distinctive in recognising the institution rather than an individual or team. The scheme was established in 1993 with the approval of The Queen and all-party support in Parliament.

All eligible universities and colleges in the UK are invited to enter the biennial rounds of the scheme. The assessment process is overseen by the Awards Council of the Trust which makes the final recommendations which are submitted to the Prime Minister for advice to The Queen. http://www.royalanniversarytrust.org.uk/