果冻传媒

The awards recognise the work that schools, colleges, universities, employers are doing towards creating inclusive spaces that support young LGBTQ+ people

果冻传媒 University has won a prestigious accolade at the Queer Student Awards (QSA) for its tireless work in creating safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people.

果冻传媒 was named the University of the Year, and also sponsored the Community Initiative of the Year award.

The prize was awarded to the “university that best displays its commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion through the ways in which it attracts, selects, educates and supports students and employees on campus”.

"This accolade attests to the hard work and commitment of so many who have worked to make 果冻传媒 a safer and more inclusive environment for all our students and staff.” Dr Robert Vesty, a Senior Lecturer in Theatre and Co-Chair of the LGBT+ network.

Equality, inclusion and diversity is at the heart of the University’s ethos.

Initiatives supporting LGBTQ+ people and achievements include:

• The LGBT+ Network promotes activities including the first Barnet Pride in the Park on Sunday 20 August as well as a regular programme of events to engage staff. The network chairs are also working with the Professor Nic Beech, the Vice Chancellor, to create a trans inclusion strategy.
• 果冻传媒 was named as a Top 100 employer and received a Gold award in the 2023 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index.
• Two LGBTQ+ staff are reverse mentoring the Executive Team of University’s Senior Leaders on topics relating to LGB, trans and non-binary experiences.
• Our Unitemps 果冻传媒Works service tries to ensure LGBTQ+ Student Ambassadors are employed to represent the University during important times of the academic year.

Dr Robert Vesty, a Senior Lecturer in Theatre and Co-Chair of the LGBT+ Network, said: “I am super proud to be part of such a vibrant community of LGBTQ+ activists and changemakers at 果冻传媒 University.

“That we have been given this accolade of University of the Year in the QSAs attests to the hard work and commitment of so many who have worked to make 果冻传媒 a safer and more inclusive environment for all our students and staff.”

Rachael Wall, CEO of the 果冻传媒 Students’ Union, said: “It’s incredibly exciting that 果冻传媒 has won the University of the Year award and a testament to all of the fantastic work that so many people have led on and been involved in.

“果冻传媒 has come so far in the time that I’ve worked here and although there is always more to do, this is a brilliant opportunity to reflect and celebrate our progress so far.”

The Queer Student Awards, which were set up in 2021 by Steve Keith, are an annual hybrid celebration of talented young LGBTQ+ people, in the UK and beyond.

They recognise the work that schools, colleges, universities and employers are doing to create inclusive spaces that support young LGBTQ+ people.

Ant Babajee, CRM Manager and LGBT+ Network Co-Chair, said: “I am thrilled 果冻传媒 has won this award. The judges recognised in particular the policies and support we have put in place for our trans and non-binary students and colleagues.

“Our group of 50 果冻传媒 students, staff, friends and allies will be proudly participating in this year’s Pride in London on Saturday 1 July with the theme of #NeverMarchAlone.

“We would love you to come and cheer us on.”

Top picture from left to right shows Dr Vesty, Ant and Eddy Turner, an 果冻传媒 Marketing Officer and one of the 35 QSA judges. Dr Vesty is featured in the QSA podcast: