Wolfson GBF wins CIBSE Award

Following the news earlier this year that Wolfson was nominated for a CIBSE Award, we are delighted to announce that Professor Jesus Lizana and Wolfson College were winners in the Learning and Development category 2025, awarded for a commitment to advancing teaching and education.

This award celebrates the groundbreaking teaching and internship programme launched in 2024 by the ZERO Institute – in collaboration with three Oxford Colleges – Wolfson, Exeter, and Lincoln – and the Department of Engineering Science, dedicated to advancing zero-carbon energy systems for buildings.

Coordinated by Professor Lizana, Wolfson GBF, the programme introduces innovative courses in Building Services Engineering as part of the Master of Engineering (MEng) degree and different MSc programmes at Oxford. These courses equip future Oxford engineers with the expertise to drive innovation and implement zero-carbon energy solutions for buildings. With hands-on learning at its core, the programme integrates real-world case studies while actively contributing to Oxford’s transition to net zero.

The judges highlighted the ZERO Institute’s innovative approach to training future leaders in the built environment, integrating cutting-edge research with hands-on learning experiences. Specifically, the judges praised the Institute’s use of novel digital tools, including novel energy simulation software created by Oxford academics, to enhance student learning. They also highlighted the strong engagement with real-world projects in the three participating Colleges, ensuring that students gain real-world insights into decarbonisation challenges and solutions. Positive feedback from students further reinforced the impact of these initiatives, emphasising the value of interactive teaching methods, tailored mentoring, and experiential learning opportunities in preparing the next generation of net-zero innovators.

This achievement highlights the commitment of the ZERO Institute’s academics, researchers, students, industry partners, and the three participating Colleges to pioneering sustainable solutions for the built environment.

Congratulations to Professor Lizana and a huge thank you to everyone at Wolfson supporting this teaching and education mission, especially Home Bursar Chris Licence who has been instrumental in fostering a practical, real-world focus for the students’ learning.

We look forward to continuing our journey toward a net-zero future!