Psychology Lecturer WINS Scope Award

At an award ceremony on Thursday 15^th May, Dr Stephanie Blanco was crowned the winner of the Purple Pioneer Award, by disability awareness charity Scope!

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Stephanie is not only a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at BGU, but a champion for disability equality – exhibited throughout her years of dedicated research and work in community spaces.

Drawing on her lived experience of having a hidden disability, Stephanie has broken down barriers and helped others to feel recognised and understood.

The Purple Pioneer Award specifically recognises her hard work as well as a celebrates the progress made in the disability equality movement – it symbolises pushing boundaries and creating spaces for change.

Stephanie shared with us what the award means to her: “Winning the award is an incredible honour, but more importantly it validates the years of dedication that have gone into this work.

“It is a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made, and that hidden and dynamic disabilities deserve recognition, respect and equal access. The award is not just a personal achievement, but an acknowledgment of community and movement that have supported me along the way. Crucially, it is a chance to continue to fight for greater inclusion and equality.”

Stephanie attended the awards virtually, celebrating with community, colleagues and students who have all been an integral part of her journey. To watch the Scope Awards 2025, please click here!

Scope are a UK based charity, creating an equal future with disabled people and campaigning to transform attitudes to disability.

Stephanie commented on the essential work of the charity: “Charities like Scope play a pivotal role in advocating for disability equality and empowerment and provide invaluable resources and support for individuals who are often overlooked.

“This work aligns deeply with my values, especially in the classroom, where I strive to ensure that every student, regardless of ability or background, has access to the same opportunities.

“I am passionate about teaching inclusive education, where students with disabilities feel empowered and understood, values which I see reflected in the work that scope does. I plan to continue my work with Scope on some larger scale research projects in the near future, which support their advocacy work.

BGU demonstrate core values in supporting disabled students. By way of example, by making lecture materials accessible, offering alternative formats and in some cases providing flexible deadlines for those managing chronic conditions.

We also provide quite spaces for students and encourage open dialogue around disabilities and other systemic barriers, so that students feel comfortable in discussing their needs and asking for accommodations where necessary.

Stephanie shared more about supporting disabled students at BGU: “Students are encouraged to learn and speak openly and freely about disability in my sessions, and I teach using creative means and methods which enable all students to participate.

“I also encourage students to use their stories and experiences to promote and advocate for change and many of them do; from setting up neurodiversity groups and workshops, running local groups, or going to speak at previous schools and hospitals to promote awareness of their conditions. I feel that this approach helps students to thrive academically and personally, allowing them to reach their full potential!”

To find out more about Support at BGU, please click here!

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