2024 at Goldsmiths

We reflect on the achievements and milestones of our students, staff and graduates over the last 12 months.

Awards and recognition

Once again, the outputs and impact of our staff have been recognised. 

Rose Sinclair received an MBE for her groundbreaking work in textiles and design. Her research sheds light on the craft traditions of African Caribbean women, including the role of Dorcas clubs in fostering community and cultural networks. Sinclair’s efforts have bridged academia and public engagement, reshaping how we perceive and celebrate crafting histories.

Dr Carmen Yau was recognised in the prestigious Disability Power 100 for her groundbreaking work challenging perceptions of disability. Her research addresses the intersectionality of disabled women, interpersonal violence, health inequality, and the needs of disabled caregivers. Dr Yau’s advocacy has significantly enhanced accessibility in transportation, tourism, and public spaces, inspiring empowerment and inclusion.

A collaboration led by lecturer Tassia Kobylinska and Professor Sue Clayton uncovered the harrowing plight of Filipino domestic workers in Britain. Their report, The Domestic Slaves Rescued from London’s Richest Streets, aired on Channel 4 News, earning acclaim at the Anti-Slavery Day Awards. The project, developed with The Voice of Domestic Workers, underscores the importance of media in highlighting human rights abuses and modern slavery.

The pioneering Forensic Architecture team was honoured with the "Alternative Nobel Prize" of a Right Livelihood Laureate 2024 for their innovative human rights work. By analysing micro-details to reveal systemic injustices, they continue to shape how we understand and respond to global conflicts and human rights abuses.

Dr Siddhesh Mukerji was named a Fulbright US Scholar for his research on Navayana Buddhist social action in India. Meanwhile, Dr Becca Voelcker was recognised as a New Generation Thinker, affirming Goldsmiths’ commitment to fostering the next generation of humanities academics.

 

 

Pushing the boundaries of creative excellence and inspiring audiences

Using creativity, imagination and leadership, our outputs and influence have continued to shape cultures and drive innovation across the world, pushing the boundaries of excellence, inspiring audiences locally, nationally and globally.

Pioneers of computational art, Professors William Latham and Frederic Fol Leymarie brought their creativity and the innovative practise they are renowned for to Beijing’s Taikang Art Museum and closer to home, London’s Tate Modern. The residencies mark a decade since the first Creative Machine exhibition at Goldsmiths, consolidating our status as a leading centre for exploring the intersections of technology and creativity.

Celebrating boundary-pushing fiction, the 2024 Goldsmiths Prize was awarded to Rachel Cusk for her novel Parade. The book’s meditation on art, gender, and identity exemplifies the creative daring at the heart of the prize, now in its 12th year. This year’s Goldsmiths Young Writer Competition – our prize for aspiring writers aged 16-18 – went to Valerija Savicka, for her story Back Once More, "a whip-smart, explosive and unafraid story that is full of ideas".

As we head into a season of major releases and film awards, the remake of vampire classic Nosferatu draws on the expertise of Goldsmiths’ Theatre and Performance lecturer Marie-Gabrielle Rotie. Rotie used her research into the Japanese dance Butoh, possession, transformation, and the occult,  to help Hollywood star Lily-Rose Depp bring a haunting physicality to her role.

Our students inspire, gain acclaim and industry connections

We celebrated student success at the graduation ceremonies in January and September – including the achievements of our first cohort of students who received support from the Equity Awards, which are intended to level the playing field for students of colour. Matthew Taryee Laryea celebrated getting a First Class BA (Hons) Social Science, Community Development & Youth Work, with local news website Southwark News telling his story.

The work of our graduating students was showcased in a series of highly successful degree shows which welcomed more than 6,000 visitors. Many of these were critically and professionally acclaimed, affording the students positive feedback and new industry connections.

Goldsmiths’ computing students also excelled at the Innovate UK Immersive Tech Awards. The team behind BeatBoxVR, a virtual reality drumming simulator, won the Jury Prize, while PhD student Chaojing Li received the Sensory Winner Award for her innovative VR storytelling project, Echoed Grin – Lonely No More. Both projects highlight Goldsmiths’ leadership in blending technology, creativity, and social impact.

We also received visits from a range of luminaries, such as Sir Michael Marmot, Absolutely Fabulous actor Jane Horrocks and award-winning novelist, Evie Wyld. Their informative talks, readings and lectures were thought-provoking and inspired conversations and debates across campus.

Our expertise shapes the discourse and dialogue of social justice

Dr Panagiotis Pentaris’ research on LGBTQ+ families was instrumental in the passage of Greece’s landmark same-sex marriage bill. His social policy work provided critical data and insights, supporting legislative efforts to secure adoption rights and legal equality for same-sex couples.

An initial award from Oak Foundation meant work could get underway to establish the Migrant Futures Institute (MFI) a new centre dedicated to advancing migration studies. Through partnerships with migrant communities and stakeholders worldwide, the institute will seek to foster social justice, challenge divisive narratives, and co-create hopeful futures for migrants and host communities alike. The MFI will launch formally in 2025.

Delivering transformative education on campus and beyond

As a national delivery partner for Arts Council England’s Artsmark initiative, Goldsmiths has supported over 600 schools in embedding arts and culture across their curricula. Led by Professor Tara Page, this transformative programme has reached 900 teachers, championing creativity in education.

To mark the national Being Human festival’s 10th anniversary, we teamed up with local partner, the Horniman Museum and Gardens to co-curate a series of interactive experiences, installations and participatory performances.

And Alchemy, our professional creative music lab and mentoring programme, were invited to Stavanger, Norway to deliver workshops and share their innovative practice at the Mobilizing Citizenship project in October.

Graduates and former staff make their mark

Our student and staff alumni continue to be celebrated for their contributions and achievements.

Goldsmiths’ music graduate and celebrated composer, Errollyn Wallen, MBE was appointed Master of the King's Music by King Charles back in August. The distinguished Honorand also composed music for the London 2012 Paralympic Games and was the first black woman to have a work featured in the BBC Proms.

Film-maker and artist Sir Steve McQueen, who graduated from the BA Fine Art course in 1993, released the Second World War film Blitz which was hailed as a “monumental achievement in British cinema”. 

Continuing the link to art in the 1990s, the work of former Head of Department Sir Michael Craig-Martin was celebrated with a career-spanning exhibition at the Royal Academy.

We welcome a new Chair of Council

Our new Chair of Council, Tom Sleigh, took up his position in September. Tom brings extensive experience of the arts and corporate sectors, including having served for four years as the Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Barbican Centre Board, the body responsible for oversight of the celebrated institution and architectural icon. 

Supplemental charter gives us new powers and flexibility

After an eight-year process, in Autumn 2024 Goldsmiths was granted a Supplemental Charter by King Charles III. This confers on us the right to formally use the title of University instead of College – while still belonging to the University of London. The Supplemental Charter is a prompt for us to consider what Goldsmiths can be going forwards and an opportunity to think about both our place in the world and how we present to the world.  

Looking forward

From groundbreaking research to international recognition, achievements reflect the College’s unwavering dedication to fostering innovation, inclusion, and excellence.

We look forward to continuing this rich legacy as we head into 2025 the year in which we celebrate 120 years since we first opened our doors to students as Goldsmiths’ College.