Activist who has helped countless victims of injustice receives award from the University of Leicester

An activist who has devoted much of her life to helping victims of injustice has been recognised by the University of Leicester.

After graduating from Leicester in 1969, Janet Salmon has worked tirelessly to help people from around the world, from campaigning to free jailed Bahraini doctors to helping Gazan students find sanctuary in the UK – two of whom relocated to the University.

Her achievements were recognised today (Thursday 16 July) when she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of Leicester, at a graduation ceremony held at De Montfort Hall.

Reflecting on her award, Janet said: “I’m very pleased to get recognition for many years of campaigning and voluntary work. If it helps me to get access to politicians who don't want to know about detentions and killings in the Middle East, it will be useful. I am also pleased the award comes from Leicester, which is a University of Sanctuary – a university I have worked with, with its Vice-Chancellor Nishan, to try to get Gazan students to safety in the UK.”

Janet is a management consultant, writer and activist who graduated from the University of Leicester in 1969 with a BA in Combined Studies.

After completing a postgraduate degree at Sydney University, she began her career in Australia, working in the immigration department where Janet organised English language classes for new immigrants from Syria and South America. She then moved to South Africa during the days of apartheid, where Janet ran programmes to develop black employees in the manufacturing sector and improve their communication skills, enabling them to move into supervision.

In a management role at Van Leer Packaging, Janet set up industrial relations training for all levels, encouraged black trade unions and established a bursary scheme for black workers to go to university.

Returning to the UK, she worked as a director, then eventually set up and ran her own remuneration company. Janet retired, but did not slow down her work, in 2011.

At the time of the Arab Spring, Janet campaigned with many others to release 62 Bahraini doctors, arrested for assisting injured demonstrators in 2011. Fifty-seven were released and five served five years or less.

She also fought for 11 Saudi Arabian women jailed for wanting equal rights and youngsters facing execution. She has campaigned for prisoners in North Africa and Gaza and helped get 100 Gazan students and five families into the UK in 2025.

President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Sir Nishan Canagarajah, said: “The legacy of Leicester is that it is founded on a spirit of hope – to use the power of higher education to benefit others. To create a fairer, more equal society and to empower its community of students, staff and alumni to become Citizens of Change.

“To say Janet embodies those values is something of an understatement. She has worked tirelessly for most of her adult life to advocate for those facing injustice. She has given a voice to those who weren’t being heard and has brought light into the lives of so many people.

“She is a truly remarkable person, and one I am proud to know and one who thoroughly deserves this award from the University of Leicester.”