Louise May Mosley
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Louise May awarded Honorary Doctorate for Social Inclusion at BSU's Summer Graduation
Monday, 4 August, 2025Bath Spa University awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Social Inclusion to its youngest recipient ,BSU Acting Alumna and social media influencer, Louise May at its Summer Graduation ceremonies on Wednesday the 23rd of July.
BSU was named Sunday Times University of the Year for Social Inclusion in 2024. The Honorary Doctorate of Social Inclusion recognises individuals who have made a notable contribution to the community and to championing equality, diversity and inclusion for people of all backgrounds.
Louise, more commonly known as Lou May, is known for bringing awareness to the Deaf Community, as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). Through her work on TikTok as an influencer, she shares intimate glimpses into her life, often featuring her mother, who is deaf. Her platform is a vehicle for normalising sign language and raising awareness of the challenges faced by the Deaf community. Through these videos with her mother, Louise rapidly grew a following that now accumulates 1.2 million.
Speaking to Screenshot Media, she commented on how her influencing started:
“It first started with me posting random videos of me, singing videos, acting videos, and people soon clocked that my mum wasn’t listening to me or paying attention. That’s when the views started to come in more rapidly.”
“There was an obvious need and want to learn more. As time went on, people just became more and more interested. People would write ‘How can she talk?’, ‘How did she learn to drive?’, and, of course, these things are so obvious to me but they are not obvious to everyone else.”
One of Lou’s most notable contributions is her advocacy for the recognition and integration of British Sign Language into daily life. She highlights how the Deaf community often feels invisible or misunderstood in a predominantly hearing society. Through her videos, she frequently shows herself using sign language with her mother, shedding light on how even basic communication remains a challenge for many deaf individuals due to a lack of wider education on the language.
However, her advocacy goes beyond the Deaf community. After tragically losing her father in December 2022, she began to use her platform to open important conversations about grief and mental health. Her openness about her emotional struggles has provided solace to countless followers who are navigating similar experiences.
In addition, she has been recognised for her work in promoting body positivity, encouraging self-love, and challenging societal norms around beauty. Lou has used her platform to foster inclusivity and empower marginalised voices within the beauty and wellness industries. Having partnered with multiple brands to promote body confidence and self-acceptance, Lou has become a figurehead for inclusive beauty and representation.
Amelia Bamsey, Marketing, Digital and Communications Coordinator at BSU, commented on her nomination of Louise, saying:
“Her dedication to social inclusion means that she has become an important voice for marginalised communities in the UK. Lou May’s extensive contributions to the Deaf community, mental health advocacy, and body positivity make her a deserving candidate for an Honorary Doctorate. Lou is an exemplary role model who uses her platform to break down barriers, foster understanding and promote wellbeing across multiple communities.”
Accepting the award, Lou engaged the graduates with a heartfelt, and inspirational speech. Using British Sign Language to address her mother directly, Louise signed:
“This award is for you, mum. I stand here today, proud to be a CODA, proud to be your daughter, and I promise that I will continue to fight for better access for the Deaf community.”
Concluding her speech, Lou addressed the graduates of the school of Art, Film and Media, by saying:
“When you walk out of here today, there are opportunities waiting that you can’t yet imagine. If someone had told me, sitting where you are four years ago, that I’d have a million followers online and I’d be awarded an Honorary Doctorate, I’d have laughed in their face. So, whatever your dream is – however quiet or bold, whatever creatively fulfils you – commit to it. Your voice matters. To quote my favourite artist, my dad, Stephen Mosley: ‘You can be anything. Anyone can do it. Even you.’”
Receiving an Honorary Doctorate in Social Inclusion, Louise’s legacy of educating and empowering the next generation is certain to inspire our most recent graduating cohort.