Double accolade for University of Salford Chancellor Professor Jackie Kay CBE

Jackie has been made Vice-President of The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) and has also secured a place in the BBC 100 Women 2020 list.

Founded in 1820, the RSL is the UK’s charity for the advancement of literature. They support authors both established and emerging with awards and grants, and manage an Outreach Programme to inspire the next generation of readers and writers.

Jackie’s appointment as Vice-President of the society is thanks to her significant contribution to the advancement of literature. A lifetime honour, becoming a Vice-President of the society will see Jackie enjoy lifelong voting rights in the Fellowship elections.

Also honoured in the BBC 100 Women 2020 list which highlights inspiring and influential women from around the world who are leading change and making a difference, Jackie has been recognised in the Creativity category for her services to literature after she was made a CBE in 2020.

Commenting on her fantastic achievements, Jackie said: “It was a great honour to be included in the BBC 100 Women 2020 list. Here are women that make you think about life and how to use it, how to inspire and give to others, how to use their many talents for a common good.

"I was also delighted in the same week that The Royal Society of Literature has made me a lifelong Vice-President. This is a huge honour and I share it with many writers this year that I admire and have known for a long time, such as Bernardine Evaristo, Simon Armitage, Blake Morrison and Mary Beard. It was great to see that Daljit Nagra has become the new chair and that the society is shifting and changing with the times.”

Congratulations, Jackie!