UWE Bristol support worker recognised in national awards
See all news
A support worker from UWE Bristol who works with and advocates for students from Black, Asian Minority and Ethnic backgrounds (BAME) has won a national award for her contribution as a role model and future leader of tomorrow.
Alisha Airey was one of five women within the field of academia and education to win a Rising Star Award at a virtual ceremony on 20 July. Organised by WeAreTheCity, the Awards recognise and celebrate female contributors across 25 industries in the UK who are considered the leaders and role models of tomorrow.
After joining UWE Bristol in 2012 as a supervisor to student mentors, Alisha moved on to her current role as BAME Project Officer where she supports and advocates for students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds throughout their university experience, while also challenging discrimination and inequality.
Alisha said: ‘‘My commitment to social justice, equality and supporting others started when I became a peer mentor aged just 15, supporting young BAME males at risk of exclusion. This was my first experience of this type of work and sparked my interest in how I could support young people in innovative ways to overcome challenges but also consider how education and curriculum can be adapted to be more engaging and accessible to young people with diverse needs and backgrounds.
‘‘After becoming a young single mother myself at the age of 18, I have experienced a number of challenges personally and am passionate about using my role at UWE Bristol to tackle structural inequality and addressing the attainment gap within between BAME students and their white counterparts in our university.’’
Related news
01 October 2024
Research study aims to improve dementia assessments for diverse communities in Bristol
UWE Bristol is launching a research project aimed at transforming the assessment and diagnosis of dementia for people from three minority ethnic communities in Bristol.
17 September 2024
Repair Café returns to UWE Bristol’s School of Engineering
UWE Bristol’s Repair Café returns this autumn with a special ‘repairs skills day’ on 25 September, ahead of the café reopening monthly from 9 October.
12 August 2024
‘Absolutely incredible’ – UWE Bristol responds to silver medal win for student Izzy Thorpe
The UWE Bristol community has congratulated sports rehabilitation student Izzy Thorpe, and her partner Kate Shortman, after the pair won a silver medal in artistic swimming at the Paris Olympics.
01 August 2024
‘Tiny Wilderness’ public art at UWE Bristol’s Frenchay campus
Vital habitats and the ecosystem benefits of non-flowering plants, are the inspiration behind a series of sculptures at the university’s Frenchay campus.
29 July 2024
Student who dedicated his time at university to helping disabled people graduates
A student who has dedicated his time at UWE Bristol to helping people with disabilities has graduated.
23 July 2024
First female Bishop of Bristol awarded Honorary Degree by UWE Bristol
The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull has been awarded an Honorary Degree by UWE Bristol in recognition of her pioneering work promoting roles for women within the church.
18 July 2024
Pioneer who improved lives of people with diabetes awarded honorary degree
An inventor who vastly improved the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes with a series of innovations has been awarded an honorary degree by UWE Bristol.
17 July 2024
Chief executive of charity that runs Bristol Beacon receives honorary degree
The chief executive of the charity set up to manage Bristol Beacon, the renowned music venue in the city, has been awarded an honorary degree by UWE Bristol.
16 July 2024
Watershed chief executive recognised with honorary doctorate from UWE Bristol
The chief executive of one of Bristol’s leading cultural organisations has been awarded an honorary doctorate.
11 July 2024
UWE Bristol completes largest low carbon student accommodation development in UK
New student accommodation at UWE Bristol which is the largest low carbon development of its kind in the UK has been completed.
08 July 2024
UWE Bristol students share powerful refugee and migrant stories
A new podcast ‘Wisdom from the Global Majority’ tells the stories of both migrants and refugees in Bristol through their own words.
22 May 2024
Academic retraces footsteps of Victorian photography pioneer behind Led Zeppelin album cover
A UWE Bristol researcher has used old-fashioned photography methods to recreate images by a Victorian photographer noted for taking an iconic photo that became a Led Zeppelin album cover.