Kiri Pritchard-McLean to host University's 10th Create Student Awards

Kiri will host the traditional end of academic year event at Salford's renowned Lowry Hotel for the first time on Thursday 12 June.

The alumna regularly hosts Live At The Apollo, hosts a weekly show on BBC Radio Wales, has appeared on Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats, QI, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and has fronted numerous podcasts such as All Killa No Filla, Who Are You Wearing and Pod of Wales.

The awards are the flagship event for the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology in which we celebrate the work of final year undergraduate or postgraduate students across nine categories.

Established in 2016, the event has been hosted at venues across Salford and Manchester, including Hotel Football, Lancashire County Cricket Club, the Museum of Science and Industry and the New Adelphi Theatre.

For the last three years, the event has taken place at the Lowry Theatre but will now move to The Lowry Hotel in Salford city centre this year for a special celebration to mark its tenth anniversary.

Kiri Pritchard-McLean said: “I am absolutely delighted to be hosting the University’s Create Student Awards as it celebrates ten years of pioneering student talent.

“As a Salford alumna who has worked with and seen first hand just how talented Salford students are, I am excited to hear about this year’s remarkable crop and celebrate their achievements on the night.”

Professor Allan Walker, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology, said: “I am delighted to share the details for our tenth Create Student Awards – an event which celebrates the wonderful creative talent of our students and their commitment to caring and the community.

"The last ten years have seen many inspiring students cross the Create stage who have gone onto careers in the creative and cultural sectors, making a difference in society and to people’s lives.

"Create also provides an opportunity to say a special thank you to our creative industry partners who provide so much advice and opportunities for our students. 

"It is fitting that for this special 10th year anniversary, we are taking this flagship event to the Lowry Hotel for an evening in which we will celebrate the very best that Salford has to offer.”

In total, the awards will celebrate the work of 25 students across nine categories which consist of; the Engagement with Industry Award, The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award, The International Student Award, Civic Engagement Award, Outstanding Commitment Award, The School Ambassador Award, Sustainability Champion Award, The Dean's Award and Alumni Achievement Award.

We are also delighted to be joined by five prestigious alumni who will be joining us to present awards on the night;

• Timothy Cho – Timothy is a two-time North Korean escapee who was imprisoned four times in his home country and in China. After seeking asylum in the UK in 2008, he went on to graduate from Salford with a BA in International Relations in Politics in 2016, winning The Dean’s Award at the inaugural Create Student Awards. Timothy currently serves as an Open Doors UK Spokesperson for Korea and is CREDO Ambassador for persecuted people worldwide. He has addressed the United Nations and European Parliament multiple times over the years. 
   
• Vicky Hawkesworth – Vicky is the co-presenter of BBC Radio 1’s Group Chat with co-host Nat O’Leary and made history in 2022 when she landed a presenting slot on the first weekday programme to be moved out of London and broadcast from Salford. Vicky graduated from the BA Television and Radio Production programme in 2017 and was named the Alumni Achievement Award winner at the 2024 Create Student Awards. 
   
• Seren Hughes – Seren is an Operations Manager at Alike, a charity that is dedicated to ending loneliness caused by cancer through their pioneering cancer support app. Seren graduated from our BA English Literature programme in 2018 and graduated with a MSc in Public Health in 2022. She has worked extensively in public health, peer support and research for policy change. Her early diagnosis of cancer at the age of 19 lead to her work with charities focused on educated and supporting people affected by cancer. Seren was a runner-up for The Dean’s Award at the 2018 Create Student Awards. 
   
• Qudsia Akhtar – Qudsia is a poet and is currently undertaking a Creative Writing PhD at the University of Salford. Qudsia graduated from our BA English and Creative Writing undergraduate and master’s programmes and her debut poetry collection Khamosi was published in 2022. Qudsia won the Performance, English and Creative Writing award at the 2019 Create Student Awards.
   
• Kay Ashton MBE – Kay is an author, vlogger and podcaster. Kay is the author of Kirsty’s Story and the voice behind the Love, Life & Disability podcast. Kay graduated from the University with a Foundation degree in Radio Production in 2011.