London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re doing at LSHTM?

I'm studying MSc Medical Microbiology and serve as Vice President for Welfare & EDI on the Students' Representative Council (SRC). My background is in microbiology, but I'm increasingly interested in public health equity, antimicrobial resistance, and One Health. Through my SRC role, I advocate for inclusive policy, wellbeing, and representation across the student body.

What does Pride month mean to you?

To me, Pride is a celebration of authenticity and queer joy, but also a reminder that inclusion takes ongoing effort. In a time where LGBTQ+ rights, especially for trans communities, are under threat, Pride is both a moment of reflection and a call to stand together in solidarity.

What are some of the ongoing challenges or priorities for the LGBTQ+ community within the LSHTM student body, and how is the SRC working to address them?

We've heard from students about challenges around visibility and inclusion. As part of that, I helped design and order the pronoun badges now available at reception, to encourage gender-inclusive language across staff and students. It's a small but visible way to show support and normalise conversations around identity.

Do you find LSHTM to be an inclusive and welcoming environment and what would say to others about the LGBTQ+ community at the school and the LGBTQ+ network?

LSHTM has a supportive and international LGBTQ+ community, and the LGBTQ+ Network is a great space for connection, with regular film screenings and events. I've met people here from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, and that diversity is part of what makes the community at LSHTM so rich and vibrant. There's always more we can do, but I've seen genuine commitment to inclusion here, and I'd really encourage others to get involved or be active allies.

Beyond your role in the SRC, how do you personally celebrate or mark Pride Month?

For me, it's a time for reflection and joyful connection with the community. I like to support LGBTQ+ small businesses, visit queer craft fairs, and engage with queer literature. Living in South London, I'm lucky to be near spaces like Vauxhall and Deptford, where there are bookshops and community spaces, regularly holding creative events like queer speed-friending or quiz nights. Those moments of shared joy and creativity are how I most meaningfully connect with Pride.

In what ways can a public health perspective inform and strengthen LGBTQ+ advocacy, both within LSHTM and on a broader scale?

Public health is rooted in equity, and that includes addressing the disparities LGBTQ+ people face, from mental health to access to care. Advocacy backed by public health tools can help shape policy and practice that centres inclusion and justice, both at LSHTM and globally.

What message would you like to share with fellow LSHTM students and staff about the importance of allyship during Pride Month and throughout the year?

Allyship is about action. It's checking your language, listening, stepping in when it matters, and staying engaged beyond June. Whether it's wearing a pronoun badge or challenging assumptions, everyday acts of allyship build a safer, more inclusive community for all.

• Learn more about LGBTQ+ equality at LSHTM
• Learn more about the Students' Representative Council at LSHTM.