A Nigerian PhD student at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom, Winifred Maduko, has emerged winner of the Achieved Impact Award for grassroots project impact in Nigeria.
The Impact Competition was organised by Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) ,the award was presented to her during the SGSSS Collaboration and Impact Showcase at the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
The organisation announced the award in a post in its website obtained on Friday in Enugu.
According to it, Maduko of University of St Andrews emerged winner based on her work titled “Grassroot Interventions for Antibiotic Stewardship and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Nigeria”.
“This exemplifies how participatory research can create meaningful public health impact and through community co-production, media engagement, and policy influence, the project has transformed AMR awareness and behaviour in Enugu, Nigeria.
“Voters said: “Incredible wide-ranging impact on a worldwide problem”, “This project brings social science into global health conversations”.
“The winners each receive a £500 prize which could support their ongoing impact. Huge congratulations to our winners, and to all the shortlisted candidates,” the organisation said.
Speaking on the award,
Maduko explained that the event was an annual flagship celebrating doctoral research that makes a demonstrable contribution to society and the economy.
“This project was recognised for translating social science research into real-world public health impact through community co-production, media engagement, and policy-relevant outcomes.
“The project focuses on Nigeria, where antimicrobial resistance (AMR) driven by antibiotic misuse remains a growing public health concern,” she said.
Maduko added that her project engaged community members directly in producing public health messages and that through participatory workshops, 30 community participants co-created posters, jingles, and a short film addressing common misconceptions about antibiotic use.
The PhD student explained that these materials were later showcased at a public engagement exhibition attended by wider community members.
“Beyond community engagement, the project achieved wide public reach through media coverage, including television, radio, and online news platforms, with a project documentary produced for sustained awareness.
“The project also partnered with local organisations working in Nigeria,” Maduko stressed.
She further said that the competition attracted around 40 doctoral researchers from across Scotland in 2025, with eight finalists shortlisted across the categories of Planned Impact and Achieved Impact.
She disclosed that finalists’ projects were showcased through posters and videos, drawing nearly 2,000 public votes and close to 4,000 online views.
“It was an absolute pleasure and an exciting experience to be part of the SGSSS Impact Competition 2025, and I am truly honoured to have won the Achieved Impact Award.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity and as part of my growing impact portfolio, I have also published from my research in BMJ Public Health journal.
“I am currently developing a non-academic book to support researchers, practitioners and community organisations interested in running similar grassroots public health communication interventions.
“I also plan to use it to expand public dissemination of the project’s materials and support further stakeholder engagement in Nigeria”.