Four University of Oxford researchers win £100k prize

The Philip Leverhulme Prize, awarded by the Leverhulme Trust, acknowledges the achievements of outstanding research scholars whose future careers are "exceptionally promising".

Every year, only 30 prizes are awarded across the UK, with each winner receiving £100,000 to use for the advancement of their research.

This year, the prizes covered subject areas including classics, earth sciences, physics, politics and international relations, psychology, and visual and performing arts.

The University of Oxford was the only institution to have four award winners this year.

They include Associate Professor Natalia Ares from the Department of Engineering Science, who received her prize for her work on experimental quantum physics.

Associate Professor Natalia Ares (Image: John Cairns) She said: "Winning the Philip Leverhulme Prize is a great honour. It is a recognition of our group’s achievements and of its future potential.

"This prize will enable me to lay the foundations for bold new projects and enhance the capabilities of my laboratory."

Professor Federica Genovese from the Department of Politics and International Relations was also recognised.

Professor Federica Genovese (Image: University of Oxford) She was awarded her prize for her work on the international politics and political economy of climate change.

She said: "I am beyond honoured to win the Philip Leverhulme Prize.

"I thank my mentors, co-authors, colleagues, and family for encouraging me to freely and ambitiously explore research questions I am passionate about, and the trust for choosing me and my work this year."

The third award winner was Associate Professor Miriam Klein-Flugge from the Department of Experimental Psychology, whose prize recognises her work on experimental psychology, and cognitive and computational neuroscience.

Associate Professor Miriam Klein-Flugge (Image: University of Oxford) She said: "This recognition is a testament to the incredible people I've had the fortune to work with throughout my career.

"It also reflects the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of science and psychology, highlighting the importance of collaboration across different fields.

"I believe it’s this rich exchange of ideas that truly drives innovation."

Professor Louise Slater from the School of Geography and the Environment, who was recognised for her work on floods, droughts, and climate impacts, completed the quartet.

Professor Louise Slater (Image: Viktoriia Pyrohova) She said: "Receiving the Philip Leverhulme Prize is an exciting acknowledgment of the incredible students, early career researchers, and collaborators that I have had the privilege of working with.

"I am genuinely optimistic about how artificial intelligence and machine learning can help us better understand and prepare for some of the impacts of the climate crisis, such as heavy rainfall, extreme heat, and flooding."