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It has been one year since the launch of Dare to Do Different, our most ambitious philanthropic initiative yet, created to spark progress across the areas that shape our world. Over the past twelve months, the campaign has built remarkable momentum, inspiring generosity and collaboration that have already made a tangible difference across our four key pillars: Climate, Creative, Health and Campus.
Watch our short film celebrating one year of achievements and stories of change
Climate
Driving innovation and action for a sustainable future
Our world-renowned scientists, including those from the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change, are conducting vital research to combat global warming and safeguard our planet for future generations. Professor Nitya Rao, Director of the Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development, is leading research on how gender justice and climate adaptation intersect, showing how climate policies must account for the unique challenges faced by women in rural and marginalised communities.
Donor-supported Doctoral student Viktoria Nikolaus’s bold Southern Ocean climate research highlights UEA’s commitment to empowering the next generation of environmental leaders.
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Creative
Championing creativity as a force for connection and transformation
Creativity in Action, our university-wide cultural strategy, reaffirmed UEA’s commitment to putting creativity at the heart of learning, research, and community engagement.
This year’s Booker prize ceremony that took place in November saw our Booker prize scholars, both past and present, attend and celebrate their achievements and the extraordinary power of higher education. There was a strong UEA connection on the night with Andrew Miller (EAS89) shortlisted for his book The Land in Winter, and Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ (LDC13) on the judging panel. Since 2009, the Booker Prize Foundation has given 16 writers with talent and vision the opportunity to come and hone their craft at UEA on our world-renowned Creative Writing MA – Prose Fiction.
UEA’s East Anglian Film Archive was awarded £79,813 from BFI Screen Heritage for a Community Curating project, working with heritage partner, Queer Norfolk.
As part of the launch of a new strategy for Norwich as a UNESCO City of Literature, UEA has been awarded funding of £10,000 from the Charlotte Aitken Trust for the creation of a ‘Book of Dreams’ for all year three pupils, to celebrate the Department for Education’s National Year of Reading. The book will be a fun and interactive celebration of stories, encouraging children to create and illustrate their own tales, inspired by famous figures from the city’s history.
UEA hosted Arts Council England funded partners from Great Yarmouth: Freshly Greated, Out There Arts and Right to Succeed; at a networking event with CreativeUEA, arts and humanities and Tyndall Centre researchers to map out future creative projects.
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Health
Improving lives through discovery, compassion and innovation
In June, UEA, led by Professor Colin Cooper, took its pioneering prostate cancer research to Parliament, showcasing the Prostate Urine Risk (PUR) and Tiger diagnostic tests – breakthroughs with the potential to save thousands of lives each year. The event, generously sponsored by the Alan Boswell Group, highlighted the impact of donor collaboration in bringing research from lab to clinic.
Philanthropic support continues to propel the work of Dr Darrell Green, whose next-stage testing of Bensofib, a precision drug for childhood bone cancer, offers a potential future with more hope, subject to accreditation and clinical trials.
The Jonathan Knowles Clinical Fellowship, established by alumnus Prof Jonathan Knowles (BIO66), champions interdisciplinary research into diseases including dementia and cancer.
From the inaugural Susan Marmor Prize recognising excellence in brain health research, to Norfolk local and Honorary Fellow Margaret Doggett raising £150,000 for cancer research, this year has again shown the transformative impact of philanthropy on health innovation.
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Campus
Creating dynamic, inclusive spaces where students and ideas thrive
Work advances on the Centre of Advanced Environmental Microbiology, part of our net-zero 2045 ambition and the renovation of Lasdun Wall’s Building 3, creating state-of-the-art science laboratories for the next generation of researchers.
Distinguished supporters Lady Philippa Dannatt MBE and Koolesh Shah (ECO73) were also honoured for their lifetime contributions.
Local residents and partners have donated towards a campaign to restore and improve the Yare Valley Boardwalk, a much-loved trail between the River Yare and University lake. The project will increase accessibility and return a safe and welcoming space for exercise, family walks and connection with nature.
Alumni engagement continues to thrive: Rob Anderson (SOC89) returned to campus to support Alex Flude (DEV21) and the Reframe Cycling project; Bob Goodson (EAS98), co-creator of the technology behind the Facebook “Like” button, returned to campus to inspire students on the future of innovation, creativity, and ethical design; BBC Radio 1 presenter and Drama graduate Greg James (DRA04) returned to campus twice this year – first to celebrate UEA’s ninth consecutive Green Flag Award for outstanding green spaces, and later to revisit his roots at Livewire1350, inspiring the next generation of student broadcasters; and the UEA Motorcycle Club celebrated a major milestone.
Scholarships, grants, and targeted support continue to help students from all backgrounds succeed. This spring, over 50 donor-funded scholars attended the 2025 Annual Scholarship Reception, themed around belonging and belief.
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Looking ahead
As we mark this first milestone, we are energised by the progress achieved and the possibilities ahead. Every gift, every partnership, and every story of support continues to shape UEA’s next chapter. A chapter built on innovation, creativity and care for our world.