Congratulations to Desart Ismaili, Outreach Manager at The Bartlett, who has been named a finalist at the UK Social Mobility Awards (SOMOs) for his work with Year 7–13 students from underrepresented backgrounds.
The SOMOs champion social mobility by recognising and celebrating individuals working to improve it.
The ‘Rising Star’ category recognises those in the early stages of their career who have already made a significant contribution to advancing social mobility.
Desart’s widening participation work at The Bartlett
Desart’s nomination highlights his leadership in designing and delivering The Bartlett’s outreach strategy. It comes after he was awarded the Papin Prize for Contribution to Outreach in July 2025.
Desart works closely with student ambassadors, academic colleagues and EDI, admissions and widening participation professionals to introduce students to the built environment – including fields like architecture, planning, construction and sustainability.
In the 2024–25 academic year, the team delivered 78 events, reaching more than 2,900 underrepresented students across 292 schools throughout the UK. Events ranged from school visits to in-person discovery days, with students who attended feeling more interested in the built environment, pursuing a career in the industry, and studying at UCL.
A recent highlight of The Bartlett’s outreach work was The Bartlett’s Architecture Discovery Day, which brought together 160 Year 11–12 students for a day of hands-on learning and inspiration.
Access and Widening Participation at UCL
Desart’s work at The Bartlett is just one example of the Access and Widening Participation work happening across UCL. This work aims to ensure that all applicants have an equal chance of attending UCL, regardless of background, ethnicity, age or disability. UCL’s latest Access and Participation Plan was approved by the Office for Students and launched in September 2025.
Lucie March, Head of Access and Widening Participation, UCL, said:
We are delighted to hear of Desart’s well deserved nomination. He has created an extensive and thoughtful programme of outreach across the Bartlett which is having a real impact. If departments and faculties would like to learn more about developing their own initiatives the Access and Widening Participation Office is able to offer guidance and funding.
About the UK Social Mobility Awards
The UK Social Mobility Awards aim to recognise and encourage action to promote and increase social mobility within the UK’s companies and institutions. They were the first national awards event dedicated to social mobility.
Winners for the awards are determined by an independent judging panel, made up of leading figures from business, charity and the public sector. The panel is chaired by the HM Lord Lieutenant of London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE.
The winners will be announced at an in-person awards gala in London on Thursday 2 October 2025.
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