Nick Shaw and Miriam Hill’s generosity was inspired by their son’s transformative experience at Lancaster University - an institution they’re grateful to have discovered during his search for the right place to study. Watching Lancaster support its students with integrity, innovation, and genuine care during an unprecedented global crisis strengthened their belief in the power of education to change lives. That experience motivated Nick and Miriam’s philanthropic journey at Lancaster, helping ensure that more students have access to opportunities that allow them to thrive in the years ahead.

Nick and Hill are both from Adelaide, South Australia, where they met as undergraduates. After that, they headed to New York City for grad school - Nick studied law, Miriam studied public policy. After a few years in America, work brought them over to the UK and they have been living here ever since.

“We didn’t grow up in the UK, so we barely knew anything about Lancaster University until our eldest started hunting for university options towards the end of high school. He wanted to study English, and Lancaster is one of the top‑ranked places in the UK for that subject. He wrapped up his A‑Levels in 2020, right in the middle of the chaos the global pandemic caused for exams and university admissions. Lancaster stuck to all its offers that year, and our eldest ended up having an awesome undergraduate experience there. The English department gave him a tough, modern degree. Cartmel College connected him with housemates who are still his close friends, and even with lockdowns, six‑person rules, and other pandemic limits, they all managed a decent social life.

“We were blown away not just by the quality of education our son got, but also by how Lancaster handled the pandemic. The university took a can‑do attitude despite the huge disruptions. They quickly moved lectures, tutorials, and office hours online, and the colleges worked hard to keep a social vibe going for students. As restrictions eased, Lancaster brought face‑to‑face lectures back in a sensible, sensitive way.

Charitable Giving

“For us, giving comes from recognising the support we’ve received ourselves. We know the chances we’ve had - a steady job, a solid education, the confidence to chase our passions - were made possible by family, friends, and teachers cheering us on. By acknowledging what our loved ones have done for us, we honour them and try to pass that benefit on to the wider community.

“We’re also firm believers that education is a powerful engine for social mobility, innovation, and overall prosperity. Backing education lifts individuals up and creates ripple effects that strengthen families, neighborhoods, and whole economies. While our son was at Lancaster, we saw close up how the university actively welcomes students from non‑traditional backgrounds and delivers top‑notch education to everyone. Now that he’s finished his degree, we keep seeing Lancaster’s work for the broader community through our donations to bursaries and learning programmes.

“Our hope is that our gifts help more students reach their potential and let Lancaster keep delivering excellent education in the arts, humanities, and sciences. We’re grateful for the chance to join past and present donors in this mission, and we hope our contribution inspires future donors to get involved too.”

We are deeply grateful to Nick and Miriam for placing their trust in Lancaster and for choosing to support opportunities that will shape futures for years to come. Their compassion not only honours the experiences that inspired their giving, but also lights the way for others who believe in the power of education to create lasting, positive change.