World-leading social science research at the University of Essex has been recognised with the presentation of a prestigious award at Buckingham Palace.

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall officially bestowed to the university the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, the highest form of national recognition for the work of a UK university.

The award was received by vice-chancellor professor Anthony Forster and director of the Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) professor Emily Grundy.

The official commendation states the Prize is for the University of Essex’s “authoritative social and economic research to inform the policies of governments for the improvement of people’s lives”.

The award particularly recognises the work of ISER which has built a global reputation since being established in 1989 and has attracted significant funding support from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Professor Forster said: “Winning our second Queen’s Anniversary Prize is a huge honour for the whole of the University of Essex.

“ISER is a flagship research institute at Essex and its work exemplifies our mission to undertake research which has a real impact on the world. ISER’s track record of producing exceptional postgraduate researchers is exemplary.

“This prize recognises how ISER researchers are delivering influential and authoritative research which has an impact at a regional, national and international level. They push the boundaries, stretch across disciplines and innovate to increase the accuracy and relevance of their research.”

ISER is home to nearly 50 researchers who are working on externally funded research, with a total value of £13.6m in 2017.

Large-scale research centres include the ESRC Research Centre for Micro-Social Change (MiSoC) and Understanding Society, the UK Household Longitudinal Study – the largest panel survey of its kind.

The award follows the university being ranked 22nd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide and achieving the highest rating of gold in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework.