Dr Kate Lister, course leader for Creative and Professional Writing at Leeds Trinity University, has been shortlisted for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year in recognition of the projects she set up to encourage students to challenge language and understand sensationalism and media bias.

In one project, 17 students worked with Basis, a charity that supports sex workers in Leeds, to commemorate the last 17 sex workers who were murdered in Leeds and Bradford between 1978 and 2010. Students researched the life of one of the victims and explored how media representations influence social attitudes and the use of derogatory language against sex workers, before producing a piece of writing in remembrance.

In February 2020, Dr Lister also published her first book – ‘A Curious History of Sex’ - and donated the pre-sale profits to Basis Sex Work Project, to support female sex workers and young people experiencing sexual exploitation in Leeds.

Dr Lister said: “I am really blown away to be nominated. It’s a real honour. It’s always been really important to me to show students the real world applications of their studies, and when the opportunity arose for my students to work with Basis Yorkshire and create an event to remember sex workers who have been killed in Leeds, I knew they would do a wonderful job. Watching them come into their own as writers and researchers was wonderful. Being nominated for an award on top of that is just incredible.”

Esther Brightman, Creative and Professional Writing graduate, said: “Kate’s methods for imparting knowledge through thought-provoking questions, tasks and projects leave you wanting to know more, and do more. With the ability to put a group at ease and open up dialogue about subjects which maybe sensitive or triggering, but nevertheless need to be openly discussed, she leaves you feeling empowered. The module with Kate opened my eyes and mind. I had the opportunity to produce work that will go on and effect a change for the better in some people’s actions and opinions.”

2020 marks 16 years of the THE Awards, and the first-ever virtual awards ceremony. This year, there are 20 categories in total, covering the full range of university activity across leadership and management, administration and academia.

The Awards will take place on Thursday 26 November. For more information and to register for this year’s free virtual ceremony, visit the website.