'QRiosity' Trail
News
BSU lakeside trail sparks ‘QRiosity’ for LGBTQIA+ History Month
Wednesday, 18 February, 2026The lake at BSU’s Newton Park campus is a popular feature, and a perfect place for staff, students and visitors to enjoy the natural surroundings as they take a break from their work or studies. Now, thanks to a new initiative, they can learn more about the different faiths, cultures and identities that make up the BSU community while they get their steps in.
BSU’s new ‘QRiosity’ Trail is a self-guided walk around the lake, marked by five QR codes on logs. Scanning the codes with a phone camera app takes users to a site with information, reflection questions and stories from the BSU community. During February, the trail is focused on LGBTQIA+ History Month.
The trail was spearheaded by Lilly Mizen, Graduate Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer at BSU, who came up with the idea as part of the application process for her role. Explaining further, Lilly said:
“I was invited to create and pitch an initiative that would promote an area of equality, diversity and inclusion that particularly excited me. I spoke to students and asked them what they would want from an event. A common theme in the feedback I received was having something running year-round that can be completed in your own time with no time or availability constraints. A trail immediately came to mind. When I started working here at BSU, I was informed that I would be able to take this idea forward and here we are!”
The trail features a range of content, including at least one of the QR codes asking a reflective question.
Lilly said:
“I think reflection is the starting point for taking positive action to help campus become a safe, fun and inclusive place for all. Having the opportunity to reflect and gain knowledge simultaneously is something I know many within the BSU community value.”
Other QR codes contain information on why LGBTQIA+ History Month is important, and some include links to discover more. With her content, Lilly aims to incorporate BSU expertise wherever possible by reaching out to students and staff for their input, highlighting student stories and staff research.
Lilly says she was inspired by BSU’s sense of inclusion when she was a student, and the trail is a great way to further embed equality and diversity at the University in a more accessible way:
“When applying for university, I was drawn to BSU by the welcoming, inclusive environment. I think that this project is a brilliant way to amplify the events and initiatives we have available that students and staff alike may not be aware of.
“While studying here I attended a range of events. However, particularly during assessment periods, I and other students found value in having a separate space available on campus to get some fresh air.”
The QRiosity Trail content will change regularly and focus on a different theme, derived from a variety of awareness days, months and other cultural observances on the University’s Inclusivity Calendar, further enhancing the narrative of inclusivity at BSU. Lilly said she’d also like to expand the trail beyond Newton Park:
“Looking to the future, I would love to be able to take the trail to other campuses, such as Locksbrook and our sites in London. I think it would be extremely interesting to see how we could utilise the different space available and how we can collaborate with colleagues and students at other campuses to maximise impact.”
Visitors can check out the LGBTQIA+ QRiosity Trail throughout the month of February. Find out more about Equality and Diversity at BSU.