Professor John Carr wins Pilkington Prize for outstanding teaching

We are delighted to share that Fellow Professor John Carr, Head of the Virology and Molecular Plant Pathology group at the Department of Plant Sciences, has been awarded a prestigious University of Cambridge Pilkington Prize.

The award recognises John’s exceptional contribution to teaching, practical training and public engagement during over 30 years as a Teaching Officer at the University of Cambridge.

Pilkington Prizes are awarded to individuals who make a substantial contribution to the teaching programme of a Department, Faculty or the University as a whole, at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Inaugurated in 1994 by Sir Alastair Pilkington, who believed that the quality of teaching was crucial to the University’s success, the prizes are awarded annually to staff in recognition of their contributions to teaching excellence.

John teaches across the Natural Sciences Tripos at Cambridge, as well as being a Professorial Fellow, graduate tutor, and postgraduate admissions adviser at Corpus.

His teaching is deeply integrated with his research on viral subversion of plant resistance, viral gene expression, and the complex interactions between plants, viruses, and insect vectors like aphids and pollinators.

 Students particularly appreciate the clarity and enthusiasm he brings to his lectures, and his ability to make complex concepts accessible and engaging.

His innovative approach to practical teaching – most notably the design and delivery of the five-week thematic practical in Part IB Plant and Microbial Sciences – has set a benchmark for hands-on scientific training and provides vital preparation for students progressing to Part II research projects.

Beyond his formal teaching duties, John is also President of the Cambridge Philosophical Society and a longstanding champion for widening participation and the public understanding of science. Through the creation of laboratory ‘taster’ workshops, international training programmes, as well as talks and interactive exhibits for schools and public audiences, he has opened pathways into science for learners from diverse backgrounds. His ability to make plant science vivid, relevant and inspiring has made him both an outstanding educator and an ambassador for the field.

Head of the Department of Plant Sciences Professor Julian Hibberd said: “We are delighted that John is a recipient this year of a Pilkington Prize in recognition of his contribution to teaching excellence.”

Recent Corpus PhD graduate and now postdoc Dr Satish Viswanathan (pictured at left with John at the annual Supervisor's dinner) says, “I am very glad to hear that John has been made an Honorary Member of BSPP. He truly deserves the honour. Over my five years as a PhD student and a postdoc, he has been an excellent supervisor, guiding me well through all situations. The best thing about him is that he genuinely cares about your well-being and wants you to do well on all fronts. I am very lucky to have him as my mentor. And of course, anyone who has met him would attest to his excellent sense of humour.”

John was recently recognised with an Honorary Membership by the British Society of Plant Pathology. 

The 2026 Pilkington Prizes will be celebrated at St Catharine’s College on Tuesday 16 June.