Women of the Future triumph for Goldsmiths Lecturer

Naomi Thompson, a Senior Lecturer from the Department of Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies (STaCS) at Goldsmiths, University of London, has won a Women of the Future award.

She was presented with the Professions Award, at a ceremony at Hilton, Park Lane on Wednesday 15 November.

The Professions Award recognises women who are making a significant contribution in sectors such as legal, medicine, accounting and education, and who are tipped to reach the top of their field.

The judges described her as 'an ambitious role model for students, especially with her mixed methods research experience and focus on youth work, religion and crime'. 

Naomi Thompson said: "I was humbled and delighted to win the Women of the Future Award after being short-listed alongside some incredible women. The judges commended my research in many areas and my journey from becoming a young parent at aged 20.

"However, the award is a recognition not just of my journey but of the people who have supported me along the way, including the academics and students who supported my nomination – proving no woman is an island."

The Women of the Future Awards were founded by Pinky Lilani CBE DL, with the aim of creating an informal community of influential women in the UK who are advocates for an exciting new generation of business talent.

Other winners included those working to make medical breakthroughs in skin rejuvenation in order to advance the treatment of burns victims; athletes who are due to compete at the next Winter Olympics and sixth form students who have developed their own apps.