Essex is one of eight young universities which are part of the Young Universities for the Future of Europe alliance, which was selected by the European Commission to create one of the first European Universities, cross-border alliances of higher education institutions created to promote staff and student mobility. Essex is also a founding partner of the Young European Research Universities network. Essex was named University of the Year at the "Times Higher Education" Awards in 2018. The university has produced many notable alumni in several fields, including two Nobel laureates, a head of state, foreign ministers, MPs, scientists, artists, politicians, authors, and filmmakers.