A Nigerian PhD student at the University of St Andrews, Winifred Maduko, has won the Achieved Impact Award at the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) Impact Competition for her grassroots public health project in Nigeria.
The award was presented at the SGSSS Collaboration and Impact Showcase held at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, an annual event celebrating doctoral research with measurable social and economic impact.
Maduko’s project, titled “Grassroots Interventions for Antibiotic Stewardship and Antimicrobial Resistance in Nigeria,” was recognised for translating social science research into practical public health initiatives aimed at tackling antibiotic misuse and antimicrobial resistance.
The initiative engaged communities directly, promoting responsible antibiotic use and addressing misconceptions about self-medication.
Through participatory workshops, 30 community members co-created culturally relevant public health messages, producing posters, radio jingles, and a short film to educate their peers.
Speaking, Maduko described the award as a major milestone in her academic journey.
“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,” she said.
Beyond the immediate communities, the project gained wider visibility through television, radio, online platforms, and a documentary film to sustain public awareness.
It also partnered with local organisations in Nigeria to strengthen collaboration between researchers and community-based actors.
According to SGSSS, the competition drew about 40 doctoral researchers from Scottish universities, with Maduko emerging the winner in the Achieved Impact category.
The award prize will be used to expand the dissemination of project materials and deepen stakeholder engagement across Nigeria.
