Dr Kalpana Surendranath, Reader in Genome Engineering, and Dr Deborah Husbands, Chartered Psychologist and Reader in Race and Sociocultural Psychology at the University of Westminster, were recently announced finalists for the PRECIOUS Awards 2025, which celebrates the achievements of women of colour in business and leadership across the UK.
Now in their 19th year, the PRECIOUS Awards were founded by Foluke Akinlose MBE, and recognise exceptional women who are making a difference through innovation, leadership and community impact.
Dr Surendranath was shortlisted in the Outstanding Woman in STEM category for her trailblazing work in inclusive science education and genome engineering. A National Teaching Fellow, the highest recognition for individual excellence in UK higher education, and founder of Gene Editors of the Future, the UK’s largest extracurricular CRISPR training initiative, Dr Surendranath has transformed access to advanced biotechnology training for over 1500 students from more than 30 countries. Her teaching-led genome engineering research facility at Westminster is the first of its kind in a post-1992 university, combining science, education, student engagement and societal impact. Through Gene Editors of the Future, she has created a global model for inclusive, research-integrated education that empowers young scientists to innovate and lead. Dr Surendranath is also the Co-chair of the Women of Westminster Network for Research and Knowledge Exchange, where she works closely with senior leadership to address gender-related challenges, focusing on career progression and representation in leadership roles.
Dr Husbands was shortlisted in the Leadership category for her work in race equity, inclusive leadership and psychological wellbeing in higher education. As Co-Chair of the Black and Minority Ethnic Network and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, she creates safe spaces, translates lived experience into policy and practice and secures sponsorship to dismantle systemic barriers. She is the founder of Black History Year (BHY), a year-round programme that reimagines celebration as transformation, alongside the BHY Researcher Network, winner of the Vitae Impact Culture & Engagement Award 2025. For students, she spearheaded BHY Create, a six-month, decolonial programme for Level 6 and Master’s students that builds confidence, visibility and agency through workshops, insight days, careers support and reflective practice explicitly addressing tokenism, microaggressions and systemic racism.
About this nomination, Dr Surendranath said: “I am deeply honoured by this recognition and extend my sincere thanks to all who have contributed to this remarkable journey. It stands as a testament to our collective excellence and to the transformative power of inclusive and impactful education.”
Dr Husbands added: “It is an honour to be selected by PRECIOUS as a finalist in the leadership category and I am grateful to my colleague, Stephen Bunbury, for nominating me. This recognition sends a clear message that EDI and representation is important, not only for the University of Westminster, but across the higher education sector and beyond.”
Foluke Akinlose MBE added: “The PRECIOUS Awards were created to ensure that the achievements of women of colour are visible and celebrated. Each finalist represents excellence, purpose and impact, and together they reflect the incredible contribution that women of colour continue to make to business and leadership in the UK.”
The winners will be announced at the PRECIOUS Awards Ceremony on 21 November, an evening dedicated to celebrating excellence, connection and empowerment.
Both nominees’ work directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education, 5: Gender Equality and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Westminster.
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