Stand-up comic and celebrated alumna Luisa Omielan to host University's Create Student Awards

The BAFTA-winning comic will host the traditional end of academic year event at Manchester Hall on Wednesday 10 June.

Widely recognised for her bold, high-energy and empowering style of comedy, Luisa is a graduate of the University of Salford’s BA Performing Arts programme and had her breakthrough on the comedy circuit with the solo show What Would Beyoncé Do?!

A self-made artist, Luisa has spent over 19 years writing, producing, promoting and performing her own work, building a loyal global audience without industry representation or financial backing. Every show has been independently funded through her performances, allowing her to retain full creative control and develop a distinctive, culture-shaping voice in comedy.

She was the first comedian ever to be selected as a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit in 2018, and her follow-up show Am I Right Ladies?! toured the UK to critical acclaim and five-star reviews, further establishing her as a leading voice in contemporary comedy.

Her work has been broadcast across the BBC, including Live at the Apollo, and she has appeared on Stand Up Central for Comedy Central. She has also been featured in major publications including The Guardian, Vogue and Forbes.

Luisa said: “I’m super excited to come and celebrate the talent from the University of Salford. In these times, art is harder and harder to make, create, release and sustain. Salford taught me that no one is going to give it to you, you have to take it.

“I am excited to see the output from these brilliant young individuals.”

Her stint as host continues a Create Student Awards tradition of having a Salford alumni host the evening’s festivities, with fellow comedians Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Charlotte Cropper hosting the last two ceremonies respectively.

The Create Student Awards is 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 eight categories and award a member of our alumni with the Alumni Achievement Award.

The awards on offer for students 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 and the prestigious Dean's Award. 

Since being established in 2016, the event has been hosted at venues across Salford and Manchester and has seen hundreds of students shortlisted for their efforts at the University. Manchester Hall is the award’s seventh venue and follows on from last year’s landmark 10th anniversary celebration at The Lowry hotel.