University of Warwick nominated for University of the Year in the UK Social Mobility Awards
The University of Warwick has been nominated for University of the Year by the UK Social Mobility Awards, 2023. Social mobility refers to a change in a person’s socio-economic situation, linked to equality of opportunity. Warwick’s commitment to widening participation has been recognised as the university is on this year’s shortlist.
The UK Social Mobility Awards recognise and celebrate UK organisations that are making strides and creating initiatives to advance social mobility within their own workforce or beyond it. Organised by societal change charity Making The Leap, the SOMOs were the first national awards dedicated to social mobility, which aims to raise awareness of social mobility by sharing the innovative work of forward-thinking organisations working to improve it.
The winners of this year’s event will be determined by an independent judging panel, made up of leading figures from business, charity, and the public sector. The judging panel is chaired by the HM Lord Lieutenant of London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE. Winners will be announced at an in-person awards gala on Thursday 12 October 2023.
Paul Blagburn, Head of Widening Participation at the University of Warwick, said: “We are delighted that we have made the shortlist of this prestigious award, positive recognition for the work and focus the university commits to this important agenda. Looking ahead, we will commit to go further in advancing social mobility and lead the way in how we evidence the role that HE plays in supporting this national endeavour.
Tunde Banjoko OBE, the Chief Executive of Making The Leap, said: “I am so pleased with the response to the 2023 UK Social Mobility Awards. Social mobility is an increasingly important issue in our society, and the SOMOs were established to encourage those UK organisations, for whom social mobility is not their core business, to play their part in addressing it. The breadth and quality of entries we have received this year is an indication that UK business is up for the challenge.”