Sponsored by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), the award recognises and rewards an institutional ICT initiative that has demonstrated an innovative, strategic and potentially far-reaching use of ICT in support of the goals of the institution.

Bristol ChemLabS, one of six entries shortlisted for the award, was recognised for its high level of both innovation and impact associated with its Dynamic Laboratory Manual developed by Bristol ChemLabS staff and Learning Science Ltd. The chemistry e-learning tool enables the user to carry out ‘virtual’ experiments and practise laboratory techniques – and make mistakes – all before they step into the teaching laboratory to do the real thing.

Professor Tim Gallagher, Head of the University’s School of Chemistry, said: “The award is an acknowledgement of the now very widely recognised and increasingly international educational value of what the Bristol ChemLabS team has achieved.”

Professor Nick Norman, ChemLabS Chief Executive, who received the award in London from JISC's Sarah Porter, said: "The ChemLabS DLM has transformed the laboratory experience for chemistry undergraduates at Bristol and we are delighted with the recognition that this award brings. We are all very proud of what we have achieved over the last few years and particularly pleased with how a project developed to support chemistry students is now having an impact in other disciplines and also in schools.

“All of the ChemLabS staff and students who have been involved with developing the Dynamic Laboratory Manual over the last several years can be justly proud of this considerable achievement.”