Lancaster University Honored with Top UK Education Award

The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education recognizes Lancaster's pioneering work on the BBC micro:bit, a device that has helped 70 million children in 85 countries learn to code.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Lancaster University has been awarded the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education for its pioneering work on the BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized programmable computer that has helped millions of children around the world develop critical digital literacy and computational thinking skills. The award was presented to Lancaster researchers by the King and Queen at a ceremony in London.

Why it matters

The micro:bit has played a key role in democratizing access to digital learning opportunities, inspiring young minds to explore coding and problem-solving. Beyond just teaching technical skills, the micro:bit has also helped increase diversity in computing by engaging more girls and underrepresented groups in technology education.

The details

Lancaster University researchers, including Professors Joe Finney, Steve Hodges, and Dr. James Devine, were instrumental in the creation and development of the micro:bit. Through partnerships with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation and others, the micro:bit has been distributed to over 11 million children in 85 countries, from classrooms in the Amazon to inner-city schools in Los Angeles.

  • The micro:bit was created in the UK a decade ago by a BBC-led consortium that included Lancaster University.
  • Lancaster University researchers have continued to support the evolution of the micro:bit, working with the Micro:bit Educational Foundation.

The players

Lancaster University

A public research university in Lancaster, England, that played a key role in the creation and development of the BBC micro:bit, a pocket-sized programmable computer that has helped millions of children around the world learn to code.

Micro:bit Educational Foundation

A not-for-profit organization that has led the efforts to distribute the micro:bit to 70 million children in 85 countries, helping to drive a global transformation in digital literacy.

Professor Joe Finney

A researcher at Lancaster University's School of Computing and Communications who led the design and development of the micro:bit's run-time operating system.

Professor Steve Hodges

A Distinguished Professor in Computing and Digital Systems at Lancaster University who has worked on the micro:bit since the outset of the initiative.

Dr. James Devine

A researcher at Lancaster University's School of Computing and Communications who helped develop the micro:bit.

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What they’re saying

“We are immensely proud to receive this award recognising the global impact of our researchers whose innovation, partnership working and dedication has enabled the creation of this pioneering educational technology that empowers and inspires young people worldwide.”

— Professor Rebecca Lingwood, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Lancaster University (Mirage News)

“It is truly fantastic to see Lancaster's work recognised for its contribution to society in this way. It represents the dedication and work of so many people over the past ten years to go from a conceptual idea to a creative, educational platform that's inspiring millions of students worldwide. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what the micro:bit can achieve in the next 10 years.”

— Professor Joe Finney, School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University (Mirage News)

“This award recognises the work of a great many talented and dedicated people who have provided a wide range of skills and perspectives over the past decade. We're particularly grateful to our colleagues at the Micro:bit Educational Foundation for their continued dedication to supporting adoption of the micro:bit around the world.”

— Professor Steve Hodges, Distinguished Professor in Computing and Digital Systems, Lancaster University (Mirage News)

What’s next

Lancaster University researchers are actively seeking new research collaborators and sponsors to further develop and expand the capabilities of the micro:bit.

The takeaway

The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education awarded to Lancaster University recognizes the university's pioneering work in creating the micro:bit, a transformative educational technology that has empowered millions of children around the world to develop critical digital literacy and computational thinking skills, helping to close the persistent gender gap in technology.