Piers Sellers and Priestley Centre Prizes

In 2016, the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures established two annual prizes in the name of the renowned climate scientist, astronaut and Leeds alumnus, Piers Sellers, to recognise exceptional research that furthers our understanding of climate change and how to address it.

In 2024, to mark the launch of the Priestley Centre as a Futures Institute, a new prize was announced to celebrate impactful climate collaborations.

Exceptional PhD research

This prize is designed to reward and encourage current PhD students from the University of Leeds for undertaking excellent research to better understand and/or address climate change. The award of £500 enables the winner to further develop their research career by supporting activities such as attendance at a conference, access to field work, or relevant training.

Rewarding contribution to climate solutions

The Piers Sellers prize for contribution to climate solutions is awarded to a researcher or research team (not limited to the University of Leeds) on the basis of their contribution to solution-focused climate research.

The Priestley Centre prize for collaboration

This prize is designed to recognise and celebrate collaborations between University of Leeds researchers and partners outside of the University.

Past winners

2026

The Priestley Centre Prize for Collaboration was awarded to Professor Alex Beresford and Dr Ruth Bookbinder (The School of Politics and International Studies, University of Leeds) in recognition of a pioneering body of work on just energy transitions in South Africa.

The Piers Sellers PhD Prize for exceptional PhD research was jointly awarded to Alejandro Romero Prieto (Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science/School of Earth Environment and Sustainability (SEES), University of Leeds) and Elliott Johnson (Sustainability Research Institute /SEES, University of Leeds). Their work has made a significant contribution to international climate policy discussions through the development of a draft fossil fuel phase-out roadmap for Colombia.

2024

The Piers Sellers Prize for outstanding contribution to climate solutions was awarded to both Dr Carol Zavaleta Cortijo, whose work focuses on climate change and the health of Indigenous peoples, and Dr Leonie Wenz, who explores the economic impacts of climate change.

Postgraduate researcher, Benjamin Wallis, was named the winner of the Piers Sellers prize for exceptional PhD research. Ben’s research used satellite data to explore the speed of ice flow and rate of ice loss in Antarctica.

The Priestley Centre prize for collaboration was awarded to the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission. Established in 2021, the Commission is an independent advisory body that encourages and advises ambitious climate action across the region. The University of Leeds hosts and part funds the Commission’s staff team as part of its Climate Plan.

2022

The 2022 Piers Sellers Prize for world leading contribution to solution-focused climate research was awarded to Professor Joyeeta Gupta. The Piers Sellers Prize for exceptional PhD research was awarded to both Adele Dixon and Angus Naylor. Read more about the winners.

Watch the recording of the virtual awards event:

2020

The 2020 Piers Sellers Prize for world leading contribution to solution-focused climate research was awarded to Dr Katharine Mach. The Piers Sellers Prize for exceptional PhD research was awarded to both Oliver Grasham and Harriet Thew. Read more about the winners.

Watch the recording of the virtual awards event:

2019

World leading contribution: Professor Petra Tschakert

PhD prize: Tom Slater

2018

World leading contribution: Professor Mark New - read more about Professor Mark New.

PhD prize: Kate Palmer and Jesus Vergara Temprado - read more about the 2018 PhD prize winners.

2017

World leading contribution: Professor Felix Creutzig

PhD prize: Ross Gillard

2016

World leading contribution: Dr Joeri Rogelj

PhD prize: Kate Scott