Representatives from the COMPOS programme
Physics outreach programme, the Comprehensive Oxford Mathematics and Physics Online School (COMPOS), has been highly commended in the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2026. The whole-University awards celebrate excellence in the pursuit of Oxford’s core mission and more than 1,000 individuals were included in the nominations.
COMPOS was shortlisted in the Local Community Engagement Award category that recognised those who have worked to make a positive difference to the lives of individuals and communities in Oxfordshire. Initiated by Professor Alex Lvovsky, COMPOS is a programme for STEM-talented students in years 10-13 who want to push their understanding beyond the school curriculum in both physics and maths where UK state-school students receive a full bursary to participate.
Students accepted onto the programme receive assignments to solve throughout the academic year with accompanying reading material, links to online lectures and problem sets in maths and physics. Their work is marked and returned by their tutor who also delivers weekly online tutorials in small groups. The assignments and tutorials are complemented by weekly webinars for each year group.
‘Receiving recognition from the Vice Chancellor for COMPOS is totally unexpected and a huge boost for the team who work behind the scenes, running the programme,’ remarks Dr Rachael Hawkins, academic coordinator for the programme. ‘We have grown fast over the last few years and that took a lot of hard work. Knowing that other people can see and value the influence we are having makes us more determined to maintain our high quality and the significant impact on our students.
‘One project we are working on this year is with FFT Datalabs to look at the impact of COMPOS. As a large-scale, and long-term access and outreach programme, we are in a great position to dig into the data and publish our first evaluation report. We have also had more interest from schools to run their own COMPOS programmes, which would enable us to reach more students. And we plan to continue to improve and hone the main COMPOS programme to ensure we are providing the best experience for our students.’
Also shortlisted in the awards was Dr James Matthews alongside alumnus Muhammad Hamza Waseem. Dr Matthews was a contender in the Breakthrough Researcher Award category that recognised researchers at the early stages of their careers who have made a significant impact at the University. He was shortlisted for his flagship summer research internship programme that enables visiting students to contribute to Oxford Astrophysics and build research careers. The 8-week placement gives third year undergraduates from across the UK experience of research and many of the students publish papers from their projects and go on to PhD programmes.
Dr Waseem was nominated for his work with Quantum Theory in Pictures in the Research Engagement Award category. The novel way to teach quantum theory uses pictorial mathematics to enable wide audiences to understand advanced concepts without advanced maths. The initiative was pioneered by Bob Coecke and Dr Waseem has been a keen exponent supporting a pilot study and further roll-out.
‘There is a great deal to celebrate at Oxford so to get this recognition is exceptional,’ comments Professor Andrew Boothroyd, Head of Department. ‘COMPOS is a highly effective programme that nurtures a passion for physics in our state school students. Its ethos embodies a core element of our departmental mission and I am absolutely delighted that the team’s work has been commended by the Vice-Chancellor.
‘Congratulations too to Dr Matthews and Dr Waseem both of whom go above and beyond their commitment to their research to inspire and enable others. Being shortlisted in these awards is a fantastic achievement.’