Kiran Sahota

After graduating in 2006, Kiran credits her time at Worcester with developing the curiosity and critical thinking that would later shape her career.

"I learnt so much during my time at the University of Worcester. It introduced me to new books and new ways of thinking. It taught me the value of digging deeper, pulling harder on the thread of a thought until you can follow it somewhere really valuable, really interesting."

Since graduating, Kiran has built an award-winning career as a social historian, speaker, educator and heritage consultant. Through her community interest company, Believe in Me, she has dedicated her work to empowering young people and women from marginalised communities through education and opportunity.

Alongside her community work, Kiran has gained national recognition for her research into South Asian history. Over the past decade, she has curated nationally recognised exhibitions that have been showcased at prestigious venues including the House of Lords, House of Commons and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

One of her most acclaimed projects explored the experiences of Indian women during the Second World War, bringing to light stories that had often been overlooked in traditional historical narratives. The exhibition launched at the House of Lords before touring the country, helping thousands of people engage with this important chapter of history.

Kiran's contributions have earned widespread recognition. In 2021, she received the Prime Minister's Points of Light Award for her work in South Asian and women's history and her commitment to community outreach. She was also selected as an Olympic Torchbearer in 2012 and a Commonwealth Games Batonbearer in 2022. In 2023, the organisation she founded, Believe in Me, received the King's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award bestowed on volunteer groups in the UK.

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to education, heritage and community engagement, the University of Worcester awarded Kiran an Honorary Degree in 2023.

Today, Kiran continues to champion underrepresented voices through her research, public speaking and educational projects, helping more people discover histories that might otherwise have been forgotten.