2025 Equality Award

The recipient of the STUC Equality Award 2025 was Gina Gwenffrewi, a member of University and College Union Scotland (UCU Scotland). The award was presented by First Minister of Scotland John Swinney and STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer at the 2025 STUC Congress in Dundee on 28^th April. This year the award was sponsored by STUC Campaigns.

Gina first got active with UCU Scotland as a PhD student in 2019, speaking at an event organised by the University of Edinburgh on Transgender Day of Visibility.

In 2022, Gina was elected as the first UCU LGBT+ Officer in her branch. 

As a trans woman, Gina has herself experienced an increase in anti-trans rhetoric and discrimination in recent years. Gina participated in the development of her workplace’s Trans Equality Policy and served on the Staff Pride Network (the staff LGBTQ+ network). Gina continues to build community through organising events and representing members. Gina provides expert advice and support for reps and members of her branch.

Gina plays a leading role in organising, alongside UCU colleagues, public solidarity to promote trans inclusion and challenge hostility and discrimination in the workplace.

Gina’s work within her branch has seen her subsequently nominated as a delegate to the annual STUC LGBT+ conferences and UCU Equality conferences. Gina has also held a seat on the UCU UK LGBT+ Standing Committee since 2023.