Emily Campbell awarded Leeds Beckett Honorary Doctorate

Team GB weightlifter Emily Campbell is among the list of Honorary Graduates at Leeds Beckett university this year. In 2016 Emily completed a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science and has gone on to win a silver and bronze Olympic medal as well as being a champion for inclusion and participation in sport.

Alongside MND campaigner Lindsey Burrow, triathletes Georgia Taylor Brown MBE and Alex Yee MBE, Performance artist Rose English, Former Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan CBE and Community leader Dennis Robbin, Emily will be awarded an Honorary Doctorates for service to sport.

Emilys continued influence in women’s sport is one of the reasons why she is a panellist at this year’s Leeds International Festival of Ideas. Since her professional debut at the English championships Emily has been a pioneer for encouraging other women to take up weightlifting.

Emily is also a strong advocate for body positivity after receiving online abuse and body shaming comments after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Emily encourages women of different body types to go to the gym and build strength and before retirement she wants to leave as much inspiration for girls to follow in her footsteps, she may be the first, but she won’t be the last.

Women’s sport is finally getting the spotlight it deserves—bigger crowds, more funding, and growing visibility on screens and in stadiums. But beneath the progress lies a harsh reality. Gender pay gaps, poor TV scheduling, sexist commentary, homophobia, trans exclusion, racial underrepresentation, and body shaming are still an everyday occurrence.

So, how far have we really come—and what needs to change next? Join our expert panel as they use their first-hand experience to discuss the inequalities facing women in sport—and how we create a profession that’s equal, inclusive, and empowering for all.

We would like to wish Emily a huge congratulations for receiving this honorary award and we can’t wait to welcome you at #LIFI25

If you would like to see Emily Campbell at this years Leeds International Festival of Ideas check out our panel event How Level is the playing field? taking place on Saturday 18th October 7:30-9pm. Click here to get your tickets.