To mark our centenary, we launched the Centenary Project Grant Scheme, an initiative that invited our global university community to propose projects that celebrate our heritage and create lasting impact.
We received an incredible response, with 33 projects awarded a total of £250,000 in funding.
These initiatives span sustainability, education, creativity, and community engagement, and reflect the diversity and innovation of our people.
Read about how the centenary grant projects have made a positive impact on our communities.
As part of the University's celebration of volunteering, this project launched a new Student Activist of the Year award.
The award recognises students whose actions bring about positive change in their communities. The first winner was Kevin Gannaway, for his work restoring and conserving Fobney Marshes in Reading. Nominees included Effective Altruism, Ramandeep Nijjar, Reading Marrow, WaterAid, University Hockey Club, Zeid Sharif.
Nearly 70 people joined Kidical Mass, Reading's spring family bike ride at the University's Community Festival in May. Kidical Mass promotes safe cycling for children and families.
The ride showed how families can use Whiteknights campus as a safe place to cycle. The campus has many bike paths completely separate from traffic, making it ideal for young riders.
Four local councillors also took part, including the Mayor of Earley.
Read more about the ride on the Kidical Mass Reading website
In May, the Centre for Autism's Wellbeing Hub brought together autistic young people, families, practitioners and researchers for Autistic Thriving at School and Beyond.
About 700 people attended the evening, in person and online. Dr Jo Billington, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, led the hybrid event, which explored how autistic children and young people can flourish in education and beyond.
Andy Smith, founder of Spectrum Gaming, gave the keynote speech, sharing insights from his work developing Barriers to Education, new guidance on school attendance for autistic young people. One attendee said their 14-year-old daughter had never wanted to go to university, but the event had made her see it as a possibility.
Watch a recording of the Autistic Thriving at School and Beyond event
On 11th September 2025, more than 200 guests came together to commemorate 50 years of the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication.
The event celebrated the visionary leadership of Professor Michael Twyman and the UK’s first typography-focused academic department. We were delighted to welcome back staff and students from almost every year of our course. With hands-on printing demonstrations, a letterpress poster exhibition, displays of 50 years’ of degree show invitations and graduate photoshoots, and a chance to take away a handmade keepsake produced by current undergraduates, the event was a great success.
The stories shared between old friends and across generations reminded us all of the strength of the typographic community fostered by so many great people here at the University over the years.
In April, Reading University Boat Club (RUBC) held a centenary gala dinner at Greenlands campus in Henley. The dinner celebrated 100 years since the University received its Royal Charter and rowing's place in its history.
120 guests attended, including alumni, University leaders and current student rowers, while the Vice-Chancellor, RUBC alumnus Adam Freeman-Pask and current student leaders spoke of the club's legacy and the connections between generations of Reading rowers. A historical showcase of memorabilia, archive photographs and personal stories brought the club's history to life for guests.
Shortly after the gala, RUBC won a historic triple crown at the 2026 BUCS Regatta.
Led by Rhi Smith from Museums and Special Collections, Voices of Reading's Women brought the stories of notable and overlooked women from the University's history to new audiences throughout the centenary year.
The project began with a series of talks during Women's History Month in March. At the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL), the Imprint exhibition celebrated women printmakers. A student-designed exhibition looked at student activism and the unsung heroes of the University's first 100 years.
The project has also gathered a growing collection of stories about women across Reading's history. This will be a lasting record of their contributions for future generations of staff, students and visitors.
For 24 hours during the Community Festival, staff, students, residents, and nature groups came together on Whiteknights campus to record as many wildlife species as possible. 323 species were logged in total.
The 06:00 dawn chorus walk, the first Bioblitz for most participants, recorded 36 bird species in an hour. Around 14 people joined the evening Bat Talk and Walk, and many stayed until 22:30, spotting two tawny owl chicks and four bat species.
The event built on the University's quarterly Bioblitz events and added to a growing record of the wildlife on our Green Flag-awarded campus. It also gave the local community a chance to discover the campus's nature for themselves.
The Whiteknights Trees online arboretum helps visitors explore the wide variety of tree species on our Whiteknights campus.
Professor Jonathan Gregory developed the online arboretum with the Friends of the University of Reading and the University's grounds staff. The resource identifies more than 320 species across the estate and suggests walking routes across the central campus and the Harris Garden.
The arboretum showcases the rich biodiversity of Whiteknights campus, which the University maintains as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability. Use the arboretum to explore the campus and connect with nature.
Centenary grant funding connected Meteorology at Reading with farmers in San Francisco Libre, Nicaragua. This project examined how climate change is affecting livelihoods in Central America’s Dry Corridor.
Eoin Ware, a Meteorology student, spent six months analysing 35 years of weather data and surveying local farmers. They reported longer midsummer dry spells, drying rivers, reduced crop yields, cattle heat stress, and rapid deforestation near Lake Xolotlán.
The project provided tailored climate projections, along with recommendations for reforestation and agricultural training. By combining scientific findings with local experiences, the project helps the University's commitment to tackling some of the greatest challenges of the century ahead.
For the centenary, the Institute of Education (IoE) explored its archives, reconnected with alumni and celebrated the impact of generations of teachers trained at Reading.
The project's main legacy is a series of films telling the stories of IoE graduates and the difference they make in schools and communities. The films already support student recruitment and will continue to inspire future teachers long after the centenary year.
A centenary survey of 77 alumni showed the lasting impact of teacher education at Reading. One in three respondents now holds a leadership position, and nearly three-quarters still live and work locally. 82% said the IoE helped build their confidence as teachers.
Celebrating Class: Working-Class Identities at Reading looked at the past, present and future of working-class life at the university. The project included an exhibition and conference that brought together archival research, lived experiences, and stories to show how class shapes everyday life in our learning community.
Read more about the Celebrating Class: Working-Class Identities project
Botanical University Challenge (BUC) returned to Reading - the competition's birthplace - for the centenary year.
BUC is an annual contest of botanical knowledge between teams of undergraduate and postgraduate students from universities and botanical institutions. Questions cover plant identification, taxonomy and evolution, ecology and conservation, plant health, horticulture, agriculture and forestry, and plants in culture and history.
We hosted the 2026 semi-finals and final, where the University of Cambridge team took the 2026 title, with the University of Aberdeen as runner-up.
This women-only running event ran for nine weeks and welcomed over 300 participants.
Three of the run leaders completed their Leaders in Running Fitness (LIRF) course with England Athletics, funded by the centenary grant. Due to the success, they are looking to relaunch this initiative in October.
This project aimed to introduce the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) to the University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM) community, increasing awareness of the importance of marketing within UK-Malay commerce.
Over 120 students engaged with the two events run as part of the grant project. 40 students applied for, and were awarded, CIM student memberships, funded by the centenary grant.
This project contributed to the sustainability and biodiversity goals of the University by planting four trees and four shrubs, as well as installing six nest boxes and a freestanding bird bath.
This supports wild birds and insects by providing them with a water source and spaces for nesting and sheltering. It also supports community wellbeing by providing an attractive outdoor space with seating for staff and students to enjoy.
The workshop engaged 10 panellists and 12 authors on their draft contributions to the edited volume on International Advisory Opinions on Climate Change, currently under contract with Cambridge University Press.
The collaboration also provided an opportunity for PhD students to develop their learning and experience in publication.
Painted on the side of the Edith Morley Building, the new mural depicts scenes from the University's history, collections and student life, reflecting experiences from the past to the present day.
The design was led by artist duo Studio Studio, who engaged staff, students and alumni through design workshops. Three undergraduate students from the School of Art also contributed to the mural, gaining hands-on experience in large-scale painting.
View the University's public art programme on Bloomberg Connects
Digital displays have been set up around campus with a live feed of data from our Atmospheric Observatory. These displays honour our legacy and institutional leadership in measuring weather and climate - a legacy that stretches back more than a century.
Situated in the Learning Garden, Bring Power to the Garden is a sculptural bamboo windmill by artist Anthony Greentree, alongside a modern wind turbine. The installation explores the connections between historic windmills and modern renewable energy technologies.
The project combines research, storytelling and art to make energy systems feel accessible, tangible and relevant to everyday life. It was created to help audiences understand the relationship between heritage and sustainability, and how past knowledge can inform the present.
Bring Power to the Garden will help school groups and young people understand how wind energy is generated through a simple, interactive visual demonstration. Made from sustainably sourced bamboo, it reflects renewable design principles while encouraging curiosity and engagement.
To help staff, students and visitors stop, rest and enjoy the campus, six new handcrafted benches were installed around the Whiteknights lake and in the new University Learning Garden.
The benches create welcoming spaces where you can pause and enjoy the campus.
All six benches were beautifully crafted by Pete Hill, a local Wokingham-based furniture maker who has lived in the area for 35 years. Pete has longstanding ties to the University: he met his wife Silvana here while she was studying Psychology.
Dr Mark Dallas, Associate Professor in Pharmacy, and Professor Teresa Murjas from Film, Theatre & Television worked with local artists Lisa-Marie Gibbs and Anurita Chandola to produce a unique soundscape.
R U Listening? 100 Whispers captures the everyday sounds of our University community, from over 100 audio submissions sent in by staff, students and visitors.
A time capsule was buried in the garden of the Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) at the University's London Road campus on 1 June. Packed with visions of the future of food and farming, it marked the University's centenary.
The project brought together research outputs alongside contributions from staff, students and local communities, combining science, creativity and personal reflection. It captures a snapshot of education and research at Reading today while exploring how farming might look a century from now.
Inspired by environmentalist Rob Hopkins and his work on the role of imagination in shaping better futures, the project encouraged participants to reflect on the future of food and farming, as well as the University's contribution to it.
The world premiere of Reading Illuminations took place at the Hexagon on 9 May. Funded through the centenary grant, the project brought together the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), the University of Reading Music, and local community groups.
The performance featured the University's Orchestra and Choir, 15 musicians from the RPO performing alongside students, and over 50 community musicians. The day also included contributions from the University's Big Band, Limpopo Groove and the Reading Community Gospel Choir, creating an opportunity for students, staff, alumni and local communities to collaborate through music.
Head of Music, Dan Miller, said: "This project showcased the University of Reading at its finest: students, staff, alumni and others making wonderful (and unique) music and working confidently with both community musicians and high-level professionals."
In June, the University of Reading's Biological Resource Unit (BRU) presented the premiere of a video walk-through of their facilities at a public lecture titled: "The Past, Present and Future of Animal research".
The lecture, attended by members of the local community, students, and university staff, was opened by John Meredith, from Understanding Animal Research. John discussed public attitudes towards animal research over the past three decades, and the significance of employing openness and transparency in animal research.
Professor Gary Stephens followed and presented his work with llamas to develop medical treatments using nanobodies.
The lecture closed with a question-and-answer session with the audience.
400 staff, students, alumni and members of the local community took part in the Institute of Education’s 100 People Pots and Peace Doves project, creating four new pieces of art at the University's London Road campus.
The three large pots were built using 100 individually crafted clay tiles to represent the collective strength of our community. These pots sit alongside around 50 clay doves, each inscribed with the word Peace in the many languages spoken across the community, symbolising harmony, unity and cultural diversity.
The installations are also featured on Reading's Public Arts Trail.
Three new globes were installed on campus in 2025 with funding from the Centenary Project Grant Scheme. Complementing the inaugural World Reimagined project, launched in September 2024.
One of the new globes is displayed on the London Road Campus, connecting the University's two campuses and adding to the public art collection across both sites.
Centenary Grant funding also supported the training and employment of student Art Guides to deliver Public Art tours. Students led around 20 tours during the Community Festival, gaining valuable work experience.
Overall, the project has supported the University's Public Art Strategy while strengthening its relationship with The World Reimagined project.
View the University's public art programme on Bloomberg Connects
Led by Vicki Harman and Dawn Clarke from the Department of Politics and International Relations, this project explores the changing nature of women's lives. It looks at the balance between home and work and at shifting social expectations. It draws on research by Reading academics and on the experiences of women in our community.
At the heart of the project was a series of creative zine-making workshops. Participants used collage, drawing, writing and poetry to reflect on their experiences, observations and hopes for the future. The first workshop, for staff and students, ran in March as part of the University's Women's History Month programme, with the women@reading network. In May, women from over-60s groups run by Wokingham Borough Council joined a workshop at 3SIXTY, combined with a tea party hosted by Reading Students' Union and the University's Community Outreach team. A further workshop took place during Refugee Week in June.
The research team has also written an academic article about the zine-making with the over-60s groups. It has been submitted to the International Journal of Qualitative Methods for a special issue on creative methods in institutions.
The project will end with a conference on 25 November, with a keynote from Professor Benedetta Cappellini of Durham University. An exhibition of zines from the workshops will help shape discussion of women's experiences and future research.
Browse the full list of funded projects – click to expand each project title to see applicant details and a summary.
A research project seeking to understand the experiences and challenges of working-class students and staff at the University. This is partly in response to evidence that some students from working class backgrounds find largely middle class university environments uncomfortable and hide parts of their identity. The project will include engagement with staff and students, an exhibition and a teaching and learning conference. The findings will inform policy development and widening participation efforts at Reading.
A 24-hour event in which the local community, nature groups, staff and students will be invited onto our campus to help record as many wildlife species as possible. This special celebratory event will share our passion for the campus with the wider community and build upon ongoing quarterly Bioblitz events that we began this year.
A celebration event, using rowing as a focus for celebrating 100 years of the University of Reading. The event will feature a formal dinner at Greenlands campus for staff, students and supporters, to strengthen connections with the community and share the positive effect rowing has had on countless students’ lives.
A hybrid event focused on autistic thriving, building on the successful launch event of the Centre for Autism in 2023. It will bring people together to explore the topic, showcase the work of staff and students at the University, and create a space for talks by autistic scholars and advocates.
This project will collect memories of staff, students, alumni and the local community to connect these stakeholders through nostalgia. It will put our people at the heart of the celebration, creating a sense of connection with the University and the centenary, and ensure the memories of our community are not lost.
Activities will include a RAG parade, window dressing, theatre production and Varsity match.
This project focuses on the changing nature of women’s lives, including the balance between home and work, and social expectations. It will be based on research by Reading academics as well as the experience of community members, and will showcase the new BSc Sociology degree being launched at Reading in 2026. A reading group and special collections visit, a community engagement workshop, and an academic conference will be held.
Building on Reading’s reputation for climate science and communication, the project will drive two-way community engagement exploring how climate science is received and understood. This will be via workshops held in the local area and seeks to create new communication methods to inspire people to support the transformation required to address climate change.
Develop and launch an engaging and educational guide to the diverse range of trees on our Green Flag-awarded Whiteknights campus, which can be accessed via mobile phone. It will support the educational activities around the Reading Nature Park Project and further enhance the nature-based experiences available to our community.
Working with other Students’ Union colleagues, University colleagues and students, this will educate students about past student activism, showing the power of action in bringing about change in society. It will include a new award, a commemorative magazine and a short film.
A project exploring dairying as part of the University’s origins and ongoing work and research. It will share archived photos and collections and capture new photos and film of dairying on our farms. It will also include a launch event at The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) and community workshops and tours.
A project allowing Master’s students to use data from a weather station in Reading’s twin town of San Francisco Libre, a small town in Nicaragua, Central America, in their dissertations. Young people in San Francisco Libre will visit forests and nearby ecosystems to collect photos to share with Reading. Reading-based students will use all this data to study climate issues in Nicaragua and share it to inform agricultural and forestry practices there. A photo exhibition and seminar will also be held at Reading.
This project will share the stories of notable and forgotten women who lived during the University’s beginnings in the late 19th century, including how the University advanced women’s education. The stories will be told in collaboration with students and staff in various departments, through an exhibition, an audio trail and a theatre performance.
Bringing the finals of Botanical University Challenge 2026 to Reading, which will host staff and students from across the UK and Ireland, and look to establish a new festival. The events will celebrate the influential role of botany teaching and research at Reading during the past century, and our alumni who have made significant contributions worldwide.
The Department of Typography and Graphic Communication at Reading is celebrating its 50th anniversary, with an exhibition showcasing how it has built a distinctive approach to graphic design taking place this year. The grant funding will help enhance this exhibition with a public launch event and an online version to extend its reach.
A bike ride event connecting local schools and the Whiteknights campus nursery will be organised as part of the Kidical Mass initiative. The event will demonstrate how parents and children can use our campus grounds as a safe cycling route, with free bike training rides taking place before the main event.
Educational workshops will be organised in Reading, Nanjing in China and Ibadan in Nigeria using portable air quality sensors to measure pollution and carbon dioxide levels. This will support the ‘Clean Air for the Next Century’ global citizen science movement. It follows a previous award-winning community project in Reading and will involve school children and local communities to collect data and boost understanding.
Teacher education at Reading traces back to 1892 and this project aims to secure its legacy by celebrating partnerships. It will connect with former Institute of Education students now in teaching, as well as partner schools, to establish a network of educationalists to mentor the next generation of teachers and leaders. It will also capture stories through images, film and sounds.
Workshops will be held to allow students to express the value of our natural campus environment to their wellbeing and learning, through the creation of ‘zines’. The zines will allow ideas to be recorded artistically to celebrate the University’s commitment to a greener future and the connection between our students and our campuses.
