ROLE MODEL
of the year
STUDENT
FINALISTS
The LGBTQ+ student whose work most inspires the people around them.
There will be TWO winners for this category.
listed alphabetically
(by first name)
ALEX POWELL
Coventry University
Alex (he/they) has been shortlisted for the work that they have done as a member of Coventry University’s LGBTQIA+ society and the ways in which they have creating safe spaces for other students to be themselves with no fear, hate or judgement. They have run social media campaigns and put themselves out there as a visibly active Queer student on campus, as well as contributing towards changes made to the university’s non-legal name change policy.
ALFIE DAVIS
University of Oxford
Alfie (they/them) has been shortlisted for their work fighting for socioeconomically disadvantaged students via Class Act, Oxford’s biggest student campaign - and in their role as Senior Welfare Officer for Oxford University LGBTQ+ Society. In their work with Class Act, Alfie has strived for a distinctly queer approach, inviting speakers and holding intersectional events that challenge/broaden what it means to be ‘working-class’ including fundraising, campaigning, support guides and guest speakers that platform marginalised voices. The highlight of their LGBTQ+ society role has been leading a 500+ strong protest for trans rights after Oxford became centred in another transphobic debate in 2023.
BLAKE WALKER
University of Bath
Blake (they/them) - the first openly trans officer at the University of Bath - was nominated in part for the many qualities they possess as an excellent role model for other students on campus. Highlighted within the nomination received was 2023’s Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil, led by Blake and the work they have done organising and running training for Bath’s Nightline volunteers on how to better support LGBTQ+ students. In the last academic year they have created a Gender Expression Fund to support students in accessing gender affirming items, and been the lead organiser for an intersectional event, working with seven different Students’ Union groups to give a voice to many underrepresented groups affected by a politician's rhetoric after they were invited to speak on campus.
CONNOR TAYLOR
Van Dyke Upper School
Connor (he/him) was shortlisted for the dedication way in which he gives up his free time to support Year 11 English students whilst keeping up with his own A-level studies. The person who nominated him commented on the ways in which he goes the extra mile to help students and staff, and his aspirations to become a SEN specialist so he can help to make their educational experience the best it can possibly be.
JACK CRAIG
Coventry University
Jack (he/him) has been shortlisted for a number of activities which demonstrate his focus on making practical and tangible change happen. The person who nominated Jack mentioned how he is seen by many around him as someone who rolls up his sleeves, identifies ways he can help the LGBTQ+ community and just gets on with it. Activities mentioned included his role as a lead ambassador for Trans In The City’s Student Ambassador Scheme, working with Coventry University to build upon the first steps taken towards a Trans+ student inclusion policy, the work currently being done towards resurrecting Coventry Pride 2024 and application of his undergraduate studies in Psychology to address a number of the challenges being thrown at the LGBTQ+ community.
JULIAN APPLEBAUM
University of Oxford
As a mature graduate student at the University of Oxford, Julian (hehim) is seen as someone serving as an inspiring leader of the university’s trans community. he is currently writing his bold thesis on the legal regulation of queer sex establishments, involving research into an area in which queer communities are marginalised but that is often too taboo to discuss. In his role as the first ever academic officer of the university LGBTQ+ Society, building an academic community discussing queer theory where it was once lacking. In parallel with his studies he also works as a student associate on the university’s Equality and Diversity Unit, leading the university's work on inclusivity and equitability.
LAUREN SEARLE
University of Suffolk
Lauren (she/her) is the LGBTQ+ officer at the University of Suffolk, where she strives to be a student role model by embodying qualities that inspire and empower others within the LGBTQ+ community. Her passion for advocacy and activism has been demonstrated via events organized including LGBTQ+ lunches, crafts sessions to celebrate LGBTQ+ history months, and drag bingo nights, encouraging others to express themselves and engage with their identities in a positive and affirming way. She encourages her peers to participate in SU events and engage with the wider university community, in order to create a sense of unity and solidarity among students from diverse backgrounds.
LOUISE-ANNE DE BELEN
La Sainte Union Catholic School
Louise-Anne (they/them) was nominated for the support they give the LSU KS3 Anti Homophobic, Biphobic, Transphobic Bullying Committee running the club every other week during their A-level studies. Club members, who range from 11-13 years old, shared their feedback with the teacher who nominated Louise-Anne. They commented on the positive ways in which Louise-Anne supports and encourages them and how their presence has given them an example of a young Queer person that they can look up to. They create interesting and engaging presentations for the club and consistently comes up with great ideas and activities to run – including a whole school scavenger hunt to mark IDAHOBIT.
MARIAH ATSEV
University of Essex
Mariah (she/they) was nominated for the ways in which she has taken action to address concerns on campus regarding a growing LGB group of women on campus that was at risk of terrorising the Trans community. Rather than simply raising her concerns through student voice, she ran in campus elections to become the women’s officer for the university on a promise to champion intersectionality and welcome Trans women to the community. When needed she has been unapologetic in protecting the rights of Trans and LGBTQ+ women to ensure events remain a safe place for all people to express themselves. She has approached multiple societies that have historically had issues of inclusion including Women in Law and Women in STEM to further the understanding and educational development of her peers.
MATHEW STEPHENSON
Warwick University
Mathew’s (he/him) role model qualities as a results-oriented, inclusive leader who is a passionate advocate for social justice were highlighted in the nomination received. As Head of Events for Warwick PLAN he has spearheaded over 40 events, including the university's inaugural Pride Tournament, a collaborative effort with the netball team that combined fostering LGBTQ+ visibility in sports with fundraising for an LGBTQ+ homelessness charity. He also launched a free 4-week LGBTQ+ self-defence class and led Warwick Drag Race - the biggest Queer event on campus - to new heights. More widely, Mathew has championed the needs of students from low socio-economic backgrounds through his leadership of The 93% Club Warwick, and established a pilot mentoring program with Warwick Volunteers.
RIA CHOPRA
Warwick University
Ria (they/them) started their journey with Warwick PLAN as a corporate officer and has since become the Vice President and initiated the non-corporate advice series, focusing on non-corporate careers to reach a larger audience and provide a more holistic set of resources for their members. They led PLAN’s 2024 Careers Summit, the biggest LGBT+ careers conference outside of London, with over 80 attendees, 3 panels, a headline speaker, and a LinkedIn workshop. Ria has recently moved into the role of society President and has already started working on an application tracker for non-corporate careers, aiming to tackle the lack of career resources despite the wide array of opportunities, and plans to continue to grow PLAN’s reach, supporting students and alumni to succeed.
RUDI ELLIS-JONES
Cambridge University
Rudi (he/him) joined student-run societies (such as the Cambridge Union and the Cambridge University Labour Club) with the intention to change the way they were run to promote gender, LGBTQ+ and racial diversity. He has done this by hosting LGBTQ+ events and hosting talks with influential speakers, as well as completing a charity skydive at 11,000 feet raising money for LGBTQ+ charity 'Mermaids', all whilst also working with the local Queer nightclub in Cambridge 'Dott Cotton' helping them to secure a venue to host their monthly club nights at the Cambridge Union. He has also launched campaign to run for Labour Students LGBTQ+ representative on a mandate, in part, to change the curriculum across England (which remains staunchly heterosexual). Most recently, he appeared on the Channel 4 dating show, 'First Dates' where he was openly Queer in an effort to change stereotypes and to help normalise queerness on mainstream television.
SAMUEL McCRACKEN
University of Wolverhampton
Sam (he/him) visits secondary schools and further education facilities across the West Midlands, teaching the next generation of change-makers about the wider world, their rights as young people, and how to Protest Peacefully, encouraging them to use their creative skills. The class has been received well by several schools, most of which, have now added the class to their KS3 and KS4 curriculum. He also uses social media to educate those who follow him, on issues around Trans Rights in the UK, and works with the University of Wolverhampton's Students’ Union as the LGBT representative. As an Illustration Student (in his final year), he has focused his work on uplifting the Trans community, which he is a part of, making kinetic sculptures looking at the UK News Media reporting on Trans Issues, and a larger Glory(Hole) Box, highlighting Trans people in Public toilet spaces, Fetish and the old language of Polari.
