51Âþ»­

Dedicated work to ensure that 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) challenges racism and empowers all staff and students has won a nomination for a prestigious global award.

 The Decolonising 51Âþ»­ project has been shortlisted in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Sustainability at this year’s which celebrates the work being done in universities and colleges to integrate equity, social justice and inclusion as part of their broader sustainability work.

The Decolonising and Decarbonising 51Âþ»­ entry is recognised by judges at the Awards due to its aims to challenge racism and build an anti-racist university that creates fairness for all staff and students. 

The university’s mission through the project is to dismantle racist barriers and structures so that staff and students can succeed, by challenging racism, changing cultures and behaviours and improving representation, progression and talent.

Decolonising 51Âþ»­ is applied in every element of university life including within the Education for Sustainable Development team which was a prime focus for the International Green Gown Awards category.

Lucy Ansley Senior Research Fellow at 51Âþ»­, said: “The Decolonising 51Âþ»­ team is thrilled to be finalists and to have its work recognised at an international level.

“Co-creation and community working has been at the heart of our project since its inception and having our work internationally recognised through this shortlisting demonstrates the importance of taking a whole institution approach to tackling issues surrounding sustainability and social justice.”

Richard Hall, Professor of Education and Technology at 51Âþ»­ reiterated this, he said: “our work on decolonising stitches into our university’s commitment to peace, justice and strong institutions, with sustainability and decarbonising at its heart.”

The awards not only honour projects, initiatives and individuals for their positive contributions to their institution and communities, but also celebrate a commitment to aligning efforts with the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Last year, the university was named quadruple finalists in the UK Green Gown Awards, winning an award once again for its work on the Decolonising 51Âþ»­ Project. 

The Decolonising 51Âþ»­ team were also recognised nationally by winning the 2023  (CATE) from higher education charity .

51Âþ»­ also became the first institution in the UK to receive a silver award in the Race Equality Charter (REC), a programme run by Advance HE, which aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education.

2024 winners will be announced at the International Awards Ceremony association with Allianz Global Investors, in October.