Educate North Awards 2026: Success for University of Cumbria

The annual Educate North Awards, which are in their 12^th year, highlight excellence, world-class achievement and improvement across the university, higher education, further education and sixth form sectors in the north of England. They attracted a record-breaking number of entries this year.

The University of Cumbria was named winner of the Digital and AI Innovation – University Sector category for ‘The Clarence Project’ Rehumanising Nursing Education.

Reimagining what nursing education can be, the project shares the lived experience of Dr Clarence Adoo MBE prior to and following a car accident which left him paralysed.

With Clarence collaborating with mental health nursing senior lecturer Steven McCarthy-Grunwald and Finn Drude, a specialist digital simulation technician within the university’s Institute of Health, the result was the creation of a 20-minute immersive experience which takes students in to his world.

The simulation allows students to experience Clarence’s journey, including the aftermath of the accident through to his ongoing rehabilitation and adapting to life with paralysis.

It also incorporates scenarios that nurses and healthcare professionals may encounter, challenging students to think about their role in supporting patients. 

Finn Drude, who is also a film-making alumnus of our university, and Clarence led a University of Cumbria contingent onto the stage to pick up the award at the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester, during the evening’s glittering ceremony.

Judges said: “This entry stood out as an exceptional example of innovative, ethically grounded immersive learning in nursing education, combining AR storytelling with trauma-informed pedagogy to build deep empathy and reflective practice. The judges praised its strong evidence base, conceptual clarity, and meaningful impact on student development.”

Finn Drude said:

“Working on The Clarence Project has been one of the most rewarding projects of my career. It’s been a privilege to represent the university and the team at the ENAs and receiving the award for Digital and AI Innovation is a great honour. It’s fantastic to see our innovative approach to lived experience using digital simulation being recognised at this level.”

Fiona Ryder, Head of Nursing within the university's Institute of Health, attended the evening alongside colleagues.

She said: “Each year the awards receive more nominees, so being shortlisted - let alone winning - is an achievement in itself.

“We were in a highly contested category and being awarded winners really does highlight the exceptional work of this project.  Its impact for our nursing students in their education continues to be felt and has helped move learning from the traditional classroom into an immersive experience through the lived experience of Clarence.  

“As Head of Nursing I am immensely proud of those involved with this project, and the impact this has in nursing education.”

More than 700 people attended the awards ceremony on Thursday 7 May in Manchester. 

Above: Steven McCarthy-Grunwald, Dr Clarence Adoo MBE, and Finn Drude inside the immersive digital lab at University of Cumbria's Fusehill Street campus in Carlisle (pictured in 2025)

ENDS