Madison is also currently completing community work under the Leeds Social Science Institute (LSSI) Postgraduate Research Student Placement Opportunity with the Meanwood Valley Partnership, collaborating with water@leeds on community events.

Panel decision: The panel was keen to recognise Madison’s work in this early stage of her research career, and felt her nomination shone in respect to the impressive job she does in supporting a research project beyond her own PhD.

The panel was inspired by the way she combines technical expertise and scientific knowledge with creativity and civic action. The way she demystifies this area and makes it accessible and user friendly impressed them all.

Nomination: Madison was nominated by Dr Paul Hutchings, Associate Professor in Water, Sanitation and Health in the School of Civil Engineering.

He said: “Maddy’s work is an inspiring example of how women can lead transformative change by combining scientific expertise with community collaboration.

“Her leadership in fostering citizen science networks, particularly in water quality monitoring, demonstrates how academic knowledge can be mobilised to empower others and create tangible environmental and societal benefits.”

Madison said: “I’m passionate about the power of community-scale action to drive real and lasting change.

“It’s an honour to support networks that bring people together to understand and monitor water quality, helping to bridge the gap between academia and the wider world. When we bring knowledge beyond the University and make research accessible, we open the door to meaningful impact and lasting transformation.”

For more Water Women see https://water.leeds.ac.uk/news/water-woman-award-winners-2025/