The University of Westminster has been named the University of the Year at the 2025 Queer Student Awards (QSAs) — a national celebration recognising the impact of LGBTQ+ students, graduates and inclusive institutions across the UK.
This prestigious award was presented at the QSAs ceremony held in Liverpool on 26 June, honouring Westminster’s dedication to fostering an inclusive, supportive and empowering environment for LGBTQ+ students, colleagues and the wider community.
The judges recognised Westminster for its wide-ranging and intersectional approach. They said: “The University of Westminster are collaborating with students, colleagues and also the local community to steer their activities, providing a nice spread of social, educational and employability support for their students, prospective students and colleagues. The opportunities they are providing are offering support and education to all. They are using feedback as part of their planning and are getting involved in so many different initiatives.”
Rajat Shah, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Westminster, who led on the award submission, said: “When I moved to the UK in 2022, I was searching for belonging. I found that, and so much more, here at Westminster. Not only did I feel a sense of belonging, but I’ve truly begun to thrive. From restarting the LGBTQ+ Society as a student, to organising our first London Pride participation, to designing the LGBTQ+ Empowerment Programme as a colleague — every step has been about making space for people like me who once had nowhere to go. This award is also for all the ‘me’s of the past and the many futures we’re now building together.”
Westminster’s recognition reflects a broad and intentional programme of support, visibility and empowerment. Landmark initiatives include the LGBTQ+ Empowerment Programme, an eight-week journey for LGBTQ+ students centred on leadership, wellbeing and self-expression; Open MiQ+ nights, which bring the University community together through inclusive, expressive performances in music, drag, poetry and storytelling; and the Queering Academia Conference, a platform for showcasing LGBTQ+ research and facilitating dialogue between academic and lived experiences. These are complemented by the University's ongoing participation in London Pride and National Student Pride, and the work of its embedded Q+ Staff Network and LGBTQ+ Student Society, which engages directly in university governance while promoting intersectionality across its inclusion work.
London Pride March 2024
Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability, said: “We are immensely proud of this recognition by the Queer Student Awards that has come on the back of individual and collective efforts of many of our colleagues and students within Westminster who have kept trust in the institution to be diverse and inclusive. We are relentless in challenging prejudices and celebrating diversities, and we are determined to be championing gender and sexuality diversities. As a senior leader who identifies as queer, I feel extra joy personally, thanks to this award.”
The award was collected by representatives from the LGBTQ+ Society, the Q+ Staff Network and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team. The colleague-student team collecting the award included Edgar Lee, Elizabeth Fraley, Gigi Goodwin, Maria Jula, Mariia Kogan and Rajat Shah.
Professor Anand added: “As Westminster celebrates this national honour, it remains firmly committed to championing queer visibility, challenging inequality and creating a future where all students and colleagues across all identities feel safe, seen and supported.”
The University has a series of events taking place in July, including the Queering Academia Conference, an Open MiQ Night and the London Pride March with a Pride Breakfast to start the day. The vibrant series is set to celebrate Pride and amplify LGBTQ+ voices in academia and beyond.
The series of support initiatives available at the University of Westminster directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about upcoming Equality, Diversity and Inclusion events taking place at the University of Westminster.
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