Two Caribbean researchers have been recognised among the 2026 laureates of the Yidan Prize, one of the world’s major honours for contributions to education.

Professors Susan Walker and Dr Susan Chang-Lopez, both of the Caribbean Institute for Health Research at The University of the West Indies, are sharing the 2026 Yidan Prize for Education Development with Professor Sally Grantham-McGregor of University College London.

The three researchers were recognised for developing Reach Up, an evidence-based early childhood programme that has helped improve child development and life outcomes in low-resource, displaced and Indigenous communities.

Reach Up has been implemented in more than 21 countries across the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East through health, social protection, education and humanitarian systems.

The programme grew out of research in health and nutrition that highlighted the importance of early stimulation and quality interaction between young children and their caregivers.

It provides practical, low-cost activities that caregivers can incorporate into everyday routines with children from birth to age four. The approach can be adapted to different cultural settings while supporting children’s cognitive development.

The programme’s curriculum and materials are available free of charge and are continuously evaluated and adapted for use in different communities.

Education research

The Education Development laureates were announced alongside Professor Paul W. Glewwe, who received the 2026 Yidan Prize for Education Research for research that has helped shape effective education policies and interventions, particularly for vulnerable children.

Glewwe is Regents Professor in Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota.

His research has examined how socioeconomic conditions, health and nutrition influence education outcomes, with work spanning more than 15 developing countries.

His research has included the use of literacy, numeracy and abstract reasoning measures in World Bank household surveys, as well as randomised controlled trials examining the effectiveness of education policies and interventions.

The Yidan Prize Foundation announced the four laureates at a press conference in Hong Kong, marking the 10th anniversary of the global education prize.

Each laureate will receive HK$30 million (approximately US$3.8 million), comprising HK$15 million in cash and HK$15 million in unrestricted project funding.

Since 2017, the foundation says it has awarded HK$600 million (approximately US$77 million) to 25 laureates whose work has reached nearly 60 countries and regions.

The independent Judging Committee is chaired by Andreas Schleicher, OECD Director for Education and Skills.

Yidan Prize founder Dr Charles CHEN said the laureates’ work demonstrates the role education can play in helping societies navigate major global challenges.

The 2026 Yidan Prize Summit will take place in Hong Kong from December 3-5, with discussions focusing on education, human connection, flourishing ecosystems and deep learning in the age of artificial intelligence. The awards ceremony is scheduled for December 5.

Nominations for the 2027 Yidan Prize will open on October 27, 2026, and close on March 2, 2027.