As a club, we’re very proud to announce that Carol Leeming – poet, playwright, activist, and cultural polymath and long term member of Leicester Writers’ Club – has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Loughborough University, recognising her formidable contribution to British arts and her lifelong commitment to equity, education and community empowerment.
Leicester-born, Carol has long been regarded as a singular figure in the UK’s cultural and creative landscape. Her career spans over four decades. At the club, we have always known her for her dynamic fusion of disciplines, powerful stage presence, and unwavering commitment to social equity (we’ve showered her with many club awards over the years, so Loughborough University is just catching up!)
Her choreopoetry plays are now held in the National Theatre’s Black Plays Archive and her music has reached global audiences via major labels like Sony and Warner Bros. Her local work in Leicester – from founding arts initiatives to directing major stage productions – has made her a central force in the region’s creative ecosystem.
Carol’s relationship with Loughborough University is longstanding. She has delivered keynote lectures during Black History Month, headlined the university’s spoken word series Speech Bubble, and directed work such as Harley: Scholar & Statesman. Her influence is felt not just in performance spaces but in classrooms, archives, and grassroots communities.
Carol said, “It is an incredible honour to receive this recognition from Loughborough University — a space where I’ve felt welcomed, respected and valued as both an artist and cultural thinker. This doctorate is not just a personal milestone, but a tribute to the many communities, collaborators, and cultural workers who’ve supported my journey.”
Congratulations Carol!
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