Debora Comparin and Raúl González Muñoz Receive Prestigious Study UK Alumni Awards

Celebrating Excellence: Cranfield’s Alumni Make Their Mark on International Awards

Cranfield University, celebrated for its focus on postgraduate education and research, is a prestigious institution recognised for its expertise in science, technology, and engineering. Renowned for fostering innovation and global collaboration, the university has built a thriving alumni community that has made significant contributions worldwide. At the 2025 British Council Study UK Alumni Awards for France, held in Paris on 13 March, two distinguished Cranfield alumni, Debora Comparin and Dr. Raúl González Muñoz, were honored for their outstanding achievements. These prestigious awards, which recognise the global impact of international graduates from UK universities, celebrated their contributions across business, innovation, science, and social action. Their accomplishments exemplify Cranfield's dedication to nurturing leaders who excel on the global stage.

Debora Comparin, an MSc Thermal Power graduate from 2014, received the Business and Innovation Award for her impactful work. In 2023, she co-founded the Secure Identity (SIDI) hub, a platform designed to address cross-border digital identity challenges by uniting standards organisations, governments, and non-profits. In addition, she serves as Chair of the Open Standards Initiative (OSIA) and as a Standardization Expert at Thales Digital Identity and Security. She shared that the award validates the significance of SIDI Hub’s work and motivates her to continue advancing her vision despite the challenges.

Raúl González Muñoz, a renowned expert in space policy and European strategic autonomy, received the Science and Sustainability Award. An alumnus who completed an MSc in 2014 and a PhD in 2017 at Cranfield, he now serves as a Lecturer in Space Policy and Economy at the University of Leicester and as a Research Fellow specialising in the Geopolitics of Outer Space at the Academy of International Affairs NRW in Germany. He described the award as a meaningful recognition of his career and research, emphasising that it reinforced his confidence in the path shaped by his experience in industry, policy-making, and academia. Raúl credited his PhD at Cranfield for strengthening his research skills and enabling his career with Airbus, Europe's largest aerospace conglomerate.

Cranfield University also celebrated Harald Joset’s nomination as a finalist for the Science and Sustainability Award. Expressing pride in the university’s global alumni community, Professor Dame Karen Holford, Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield, praised the excellence, innovation, and leadership demonstrated by Raúl and Debora. She extended heartfelt congratulations to both for their remarkable contributions to society. The recognition of Cranfield alumni at these prestigious awards underscores the university’s enduring commitment to producing global leaders and innovators who drive meaningful change across the world.

Editor's Note:

Cranfield University continues to exemplify excellence in higher education, empowering its alumni to achieve remarkable feats on a global stage. The recent recognition of Debora Comparin and Dr. Raúl González Muñoz at the prestigious 2025 British Council Study UK Alumni Awards for France highlights the transformative impact of Cranfield’s education and its strong industry ties. These achievements not only reflect the university's commitment to fostering leadership and innovation but reinforce its reputation as a hub for cutting-edge research and international collaboration.

Skoobuzz notes that through their contributions to fields such as business innovation and space policy, Debora and Raúl showcase the power of a Cranfield education in driving meaningful societal change. Their successes inspire future leaders to explore new horizons and create global solutions that benefit communities worldwide.