Finalists for Prestigious National Inclusion Awards announced ©

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Institute for Equity, University Centre Announces Finalists for Prestigious National Inclusion Awards ©

Huddersfield, UK – 11 September 2026 – The Institute for Equity, University Centre (IEUC), the UK’s leading organisation dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), has officially announced the shortlist of finalists for the National Inclusion Awards ©.

The shortlist features prominent academic figures, national inclusion trailblazers, and leading higher education institutions recognised for driving profound culture change and advancing social justice.

Following a rigorous judging process that evaluated measurable impacts across organisational culture, learning initiatives, and policy overhauls, the IEUC has named the following individual and institutional finalists:

Professor Matthew Chapman – Finalist in the individual leadership category, recognised for pioneering inclusive practice and equity-focused research in academia.

Loraine Martins, OBE – Finalist for individual leadership and lifetime advocacy, acknowledged for her sustained national contribution to diversity, inclusion, and social justice across major UK infrastructure, business, and public sectors.

Durham University – Finalist for the Organisational Impact Award, shortlisted for systemic overhauls in institutional policy, governance, and culture over a sustained period.

Hartpury University & College – Finalist for the Organisational Impact Award, shortlisted for its dual-institution framework expanding inclusive learning environments, student access, and operational equity.

University of East London (UEL) – Finalist for the Organisational Impact Award, shortlisted for sector-leading inclusion practices, student-centred equity frameworks, and measurable diversity outcomes.

Commenting on the shortlist, IEUC CEO & Principal, Professor Paul Miller notes:

“Selecting this shortlist from an extraordinary pool of nationwide entries was both a privilege and a formidable task. Each finalist exemplifies what it means to turn EDI principles into tangible, structural change. They represent the vanguard of a fairer society, and we are proud to give their achievements the national platform they deserve.”

Ceremony Details
The winners across all categories will be announced live during the Yorkshire Inclusion Luncheon:

Date: Thursday, 15th October 2026
Venue: Cedar Court Hotel, Huddersfield
Time: 12:30pm – 15:00pm

Media Contact & Enquiries

For press passes, interview requests with IEUC leadership or shortlisted finalists, or media assets, please contact:

IEUC Media & Communications Office

Institute for Equity, University Centre

Email: admin@instituteforequity.ac.uk

Website: Awards Luncheon – Institute for Equity, University Centre

Notes to Editors
About the Institute for Equity, University Centre (IEUC): As the UK’s foremost EDI organisation, the IEUC works at the intersection of research, policy, and practice to drive systemic change, foster inclusive workplace cultures, and advance social justice across public, private, and academic sectors.

About the National Inclusion Awards ©: Established to set a national benchmark for EDI excellence, the awards recognise individual champions, grassroots activists, organisational leaders, and entire institutions advancing equality across the United Kingdom.

The National Inclusion Awards © recognise impact from activities and not the activities themselves.