University rejects award after ‘sexist’ ceremony
A UNIVERSITY has rejected an award because the ceremony included burlesque women and was “like going back to the days of Bernard Manning”.
The University of Bradford has condemned the event as sexist and a “throwback” to the Seventies.
Entertainment at the Digital Entrepreneur Awards, honouring top performers in the digital world, included burlesque dancers in corsets and hot pants and a comedian whose act many in attendance described as “tasteless”.
‘Much of the content was inappropriate and a step backwards in terms of respect and kindness’
A team from the University of Bradford attended the ceremony, held in the Principal Hotel in Manchester last Wednesday, after being nominated for the Most Innovative use of Video or Animation for their “Don’t Go To Bradford” video, released to turn perceptions about Bradford on their head.
The team won in their category, but have announced they will be handing back the award in protest at the “misjudged” tone of the ceremony.
An open letter from the university said: “Much of the content was inappropriate and unnecessary and a step backwards in terms of respect and kindness towards colleagues.”
Liverpool-based Lab, another of the event’s big winners, has announced it will be handing back its award.
The award ceremony’s organisers later issued an apology, saying: “We missed the mark and we wholeheartedly apologise.”