Tutor finalist in prestigious award

Jannat Ahmed is recognised by St David Awards

Jannat Ahmed teaches creative writing and media for Cardiff University’s Continuing and Professional Education (CPE).

Jannat has recently been announced as a finalist in the St David Awards in the culture category. This national award recognises the contribution Jannat has made to literature and publishing in Wales.

Jannat, who is 27 and lives in Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, co-founded Lucent Dreaming, an inclusive publishing company which is supportive of contributors who have historically been neglected by, or excluded from, traditional publishing.

Jannat’s commitment to helping others discover routes into publishing and writing stem from her own experiences as a young woman of colour from a working-class background starting out as a writer. Jannat commented:

“Lucent Dreaming was co-founded here at Cardiff University with alumni Joachim Buur and Jess Beynon while I was studying MA English Literature and dealing with anxiety.

The magazine, now also a book publisher, was an escape back to the creativity of my childhood and has since opened so many doors for me, from developing projects at Poetry Wales, to mentoring students and teaching at the university.”

Jannat is thrilled to be a finalist in the St David Awards and commented:

“It's such an honour to be named a finalist in the culture category of this year's St David Awards, and alongside such remarkable people across Wales.

But the whole thing is surreal, in every way. To be recognised for my contribution to Welsh culture - I feel I'm only at the start of things, but I think that makes this even more special. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported and nurtured me along the way.”

Dr Michelle Deininger, who coordinates the Humanities programme at CPE, commented:

Jannat is an inspirational writer, teacher, editor and mentor to so many people. Having seen her in action on both our community teaching and Pathways to a Degree programmes, it is clear just how much energy and joy Jannat brings to her work.

She’s making a genuine difference to the lives and experiences of writers and students in Wales and beyond – she’s not only a role model for working-class writers, but also a trailblazer for women of colour in the arts.

Jannat will be teaching again from September. Details of creative writing courses can be found here.