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A graduate of the ¹ú²úÊÓƵ is celebrating her second award of the year, after the organisation she founded was recognised with a King’s Voluntary Award.

Kiran Sahota, who received an Honorary Degree from the University in September in recognition of her charity and education work, is an award-winning social historian, exploring South Asian history through a female perspective.

She is the founder of a community interest company, Believe in Me, that empowers young people and women from marginalised communities through education.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK.

“I am beyond words with the award,” Kiran said. “I never thought when I started my research in history back in 2015, that it would lead to this recognition. I am still recovering from the news of the Honorary Degree so to be receiving this award is really special. Indian women have long been overlooked from the military narratives and I have always ensured that they will be remembered. A massive thank you to all our volunteers who work on the projects and share the research we uncover.”

Over the last 10 years, Kiran, who graduated from the ¹ú²úÊÓƵ in 2006 with a degree in English Literature and American Studies, has curated three national exhibitions exploring stories of how Indian men and women have contributed towards the First and Second World War. The exhibitions have been featured on BBC Women’s Hour in the House of Lords and House of Commons, HMS President, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and other national partners.

When Kiran is not curating national projects, she is also guest lectures at various universities across the UK.

In 2021, the Prime Minister awarded Kiran the Points of Light Award, recognising her research in South Asian history, Women’s history and community outreach work. In 2012, Kiran was an Olympic Torchbearer recognising her work for education and charity and in 2022, was a torchbearer for the Commonwealth Games.