Sentinel Team Wins Outstanding Achievement to Society Award at University of Strathclyde
The Sentinel team has been awarded the Outstanding Achievement to Society Award at the HaSS (Humanities & Social Sciences) Research and Impact Awards 2026 - University of Strathclyde.
The award recognises research that delivers significant societal impact, and celebrates the Sentinel programme’s work to improve the mental health, wellbeing and psychological safety of frontline and public-sector workers.
Dr Nicola Cogan and Dr Alison Kirk accepted the award on behalf of the wider Sentinel team during the ceremony, acknowledging the collaborative effort behind the programme’s development and impact.
Sentinel is a trauma-informed digital mental health intervention co-created with more than 1,600 frontline workers across healthcare, emergency services and other high-risk occupations. Developed through a close partnership between the University of Strathclyde and Sentinel Ltd., the programme translates research into practical, real-world support for people routinely exposed to trauma and chronic workplace stress.
The platform provides immediate, personalised, evidence-based tools designed for the realities of shift work, high-pressure environments and repeated exposure to distressing events. This work sits within a broader research ecosystem that includes multi-site NHS pilots, international collaborations and the development of trauma-informed practice frameworks and training tools.
Receiving the award highlights the translational impact of the Sentinel programme, demonstrating how research can move beyond academia to create meaningful change for individuals, organisations and society.
Accepting the award, Dr Nicola Cogan said the recognition reflects the shared commitment of researchers, clinicians, developers, technologists, partners and most importantly frontline workers who have shaped the programme through their lived experience.
The award also celebrates the growing role of interdisciplinary collaboration at the University of Strathclyde in addressing major public health challenges, and reinforces the importance of research-driven innovation in supporting the people who care for others.
The Sentinel team continues to expand its research and implementation programme across the UK and internationally, with ongoing NHS pilots and global partnerships helping to bring trauma-informed digital support to diverse frontline populations.
HaSS Impact to Society Award Sentinel Project