British-Palestinian wins Guardian leadership award

Palestinian Professor at Oxford University, Karma Nabulsi, won the prestigious Inspiring Leader Award at the Guardian University Awards 2017 in London last night.

The director of Undergraduate Studies at the Department of Politics and International Relations was one of two women to have been shortlisted for the award.

This ‘Inspiring Leader’ award truly belongs to the students at Oxford and right across the country, who are campaigning for equality, against all forms of racial discrimination, for decolonising the curriculum, and the freedom of expression and democratic rights at the universities every day. This is especially important during these last months when facing attacks on those rights and principles which are precious to all of us.

They are the leaders that inspire me, and of course it is our responsibility to help any way we can. Without question, the award also belongs to the Palestinian people, who always inspire me with their remarkable courage and steadfastness: their example is the greatest teacher. This was a collective gesture, coming from a public vote, so it is an award that belongs to us all.

Nabulsi told MEMO.

Good luck everyone! @Guardian University Awards 2017 @leedscofart @universityleeds https://t.co/i9F8Lrsi33 pic.twitter.com/fWkCI7W0dH

— Annabeth 🌈🔥🤯 (@Angrybeth) March 29, 2017

The general public voted who they thought deserved the award from amongst the shortlisted candidates who were chosen by a panel of higher education experts and Guardian journalists.

Nabulsi was educated in Beirut, Lebanon, New York, Rabat, Morocco, the UK and Paris. She was a PLO representative from 1977-90 serving at the UN, Beirut, Tunis and the UK.

She was a special guest at Middle East Monitor’s Palestine Book Awards last year.

Networking while we wait for the ceremony! #guardianuniversityawards @GreBusiness @UniofGreenwich pic.twitter.com/iLMheyOQq5

— Generator (@Gre_Generator) March 29, 2017

Getting ready for @Guardian University Awards. Virtual Landscapes is shortlisted for Digital Innovation. @leedscof… https://t.co/uLAmYHGx56 pic.twitter.com/vnGPHB9alZ

— Annabeth 🌈🔥🤯 (@Angrybeth) March 29, 2017