A Keele PhD student has been honoured in a ceremony at Windsor Castle to celebrate his work in campaigning for environmental and social causes, and his extensive volunteering efforts.  

Elliott Lancaster, who was made an MBE in 2022 for services to Youth Empowerment and Sustainability in Staffordshire, received his honour from the Princess Royal in the investiture ceremony this week. 

This is the latest in a long line of prestigious awards that Elliott Lancaster has received for his work in recent years, which also includes a Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award; a British Citizen Award medal; and the Diana Award. 

Elliott has a passion for social change and youth empowerment, and alongside studying for his PhD in Management, he has provided significant impact and encouragement for young people across a range of activities. He has also engaged with over 20,000 young people in events and raised £50,000 collectively between projects. 

Elliott was a Top 10 finalist for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize in 2021 thanks to his work campaigning for mental health, social enterprise, sustainability, and a solution to homelessness. He also supports a number of charities both locally and nationally, including his work as a volunteer and Trustee of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, I Have a Voice CIC, Spirit of Peace, and an Ambassador of GEN UK. 

In 2016 Elliott also established ‘Utter Rubbish’ - a social enterprise and mobile phone app that connects UK citizens to local councils, helping to reduce waste and updating residents on recycling policies in real time. 

Elliott said: “This honour is more than just about me. I am excited to continue to use this platform to empower more young people to make an impact.” 

Professor Trevor McMillan OBE, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, added: “Elliott is a credit to Keele and to himself, and his dedication to his campaigning and volunteer work embodies the best of the impact that our students and alumni have in the wider world. To receive such a prestigious recognition of his work is nothing less than he deserves.”