The Lawson-Croft Award is the highest honour presented by the sigma Network for excellence in mathematics and statistics support. Named after Professor Duncan Lawson MBE and Professor Tony Croft, the award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and excellence in mathematics and statistics support over a sustained period.
When presenting the award, the sigma Network acknowledged Emma's outstanding contribution across many areas, saying:
[The award] recipient has made an extraordinary contribution to our community — not simply through direct support of students, but through leadership, scholarship, innovation, accessibility and an unwavering commitment to improving the experience of both students and practitioners.
You can read the full award commendation below.
About Emma
Emma has been a leading figure in mathematics and statistics support both at Bath and nationally. Through her work with the University's Mathematics Resources Centre (MASH), she has helped thousands of students develop confidence in quantitative skills, supporting their academic success across a wide range of disciplines. She has also played a significant role in developing resources, sharing good practice and strengthening support provision across the higher education sector.
Beyond her work at Bath, Emma has made a substantial contribution to the sigma Network, the UK's professional association for excellence in mathematics and statistics support. She currently serves as Vice Chair (Technical) on the Network Steering Group and has been instrumental in supporting national initiatives, resources and professional development opportunities for practitioners across the sector.
Commenting on the award, Emma said:
I am deeply honoured to receive the Lawson-Croft Award. Mathematics and statistics support is built on collaboration, generosity and a shared commitment to student success, and it has been a privilege to work alongside so many dedicated colleagues both at Bath and across the wider community. This recognition reflects the collective efforts of those who have helped shape and strengthen mathematics support over many years.
Helen Stringer, Director of Employability and Student Success, said:
Emma's impact on students, colleagues and the wider higher education sector has been remarkable. Her commitment to improving access to mathematics and statistics support, her innovative approach and her leadership within the national community have benefited countless learners and practitioners. This award is a fitting recognition of her sustained contribution and achievements.
Maths and statistics support at Bath
The award highlights the University of Bath's longstanding leadership in mathematics and statistics support. MASH has played a central role in the development of the sigma Network, with University staff continuing to contribute to its national leadership and activities.
Everyone at the University congratulates Emma on this well-deserved recognition.
Find out more about the university’s involvement with the sigma Network.
The full award commendation
The Lawson-Croft Award recognises outstanding achievement and excellence in mathematics and statistics support over a sustained period.
Tonight’s recipient has made an extraordinary contribution to our community — not simply through direct support of students, but through leadership, scholarship, innovation, accessibility and an unwavering commitment to improving the experience of both students and practitioners.
The recipient has led a highly respected mathematics and statistics support centre at a UK university, developing an environment in which students can access the support they need to succeed. Through this leadership, mathematics and statistics support has been embedded as an important part of the student experience.
But the contribution goes considerably further.
For many years, this person has been a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion in mathematics and statistics. Particular attention has been given to something that can all too easily be overlooked: the accessibility of mathematical documents and digital resources. Work has helped move the community towards producing resources that are accessible from the outset, rather than attempting to retrofit accessibility afterwards.
This contribution has been backed by an impressive body of scholarship and dissemination, including publications on accessible mathematics resources, inclusive curricula, autism and group work, accessible learning environments, and the awareness of accessibility barriers among mathematics instructors.
The recipient has also had an enormous influence beyond their own institution.
There has been longstanding involvement in the sigma National Network, including service as Chair and as Vice-Chair and a leader of the South-West Maths Hub. The technical role perhaps captures something particularly distinctive about this contribution: a willingness not only to lead and represent the community, but to get involved in the difficult practical work that keeps the community functioning. This includes supporting constitutional matters, helping to organise AGMs, resolving technical problems, maintaining national resources and contributing to the development of the Network's digital infrastructure.
There has also been an important role in the development and maintenance of mathcentre and statstutor, including work towards clearer, more accessible websites and resources.
And then there is the contribution that is perhaps hardest to measure, but which those working in this community know so well. It is the willingness to help, to answer the technical question that nobody else can solve, to share expertise generously with colleagues.
This is someone whose influence can be seen in students supported, practitioners trained, resources developed, research published, websites improved, professional networks strengthened and, ultimately, in the way our community thinks about mathematics and statistics support. There has already been recognition through previous awards and honours within the mathematics and statistics support community. But tonight provides an opportunity to recognise the full breadth and sustained nature of the contribution.
It is therefore a tremendous pleasure to announce that the winner of the 2026 Lawson-Croft award is Emma Cliffe.