Local Derry student receives £15k scholarship from Queen’s University for her community activism

Local student, Ellie-Jo Taylor, has received a £15,000 scholarship from Queen's University Belfast for her community activism.

Ellie-Jo is currently a Union Organiser for NUS-USI and a full time Law with Politics student at QUB.

Ellie-Jo was able to apply for the scholarship as she was a previous student of the QUB Pathway Opportunity Programme, which is a widening participation programme for Year 13 students from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

The 18-year-old said she absolutely loved the programme which enabled her to pursue Law and study topics from legal theory to human rights as an introduction to academic skills. 

Speaking to Derry News, Ellie-Jo explained: "When I was accepted into Queen’s, all incoming pathway students were informed of this amazing scholarship opportunity of £15,000 across our three-year degree, as a further support for us as low income students looking to expand our opportunities.

"The basis of the scholarship was work ethic, community and school involvement. 

"I wrote my essay as someone very proud of my background, refusing to see it as a disadvantage. 

"I believe my background as a ‘jail wain’ gives me unique insight into the legal world and I mentioned this as something that pushed me to achieve my dreams because I believe I could support others having experienced our legal system’s failures first hand. 

"My essay discussed my work within the Secondary Students’ Union of Northern Ireland and founding our #UniformReform campaign, which targeted the shocking cost of school uniforms particularly for low income families. 

"I also discussed my work on a shared history and volunteer work sorting through donations in support of Afghan refugees"

Ellie-Jo was successful and plans to use her scholarship to support herself in internship roles and get the chance to experience opportunities which she otherwise couldn’t have 'realistically pursued.'

Ellie-Jo added: "The scholarship means a lot to me. For a long time, people would doubt the abilities of students like myself, because we went to non-grammar schools or came from working class backgrounds. 

"However, looking now, I know these things shaped me to be exactly where I am today and while pathway students are not the common students in the university, I was inspired by past students and I really hope to inspire students coming behind me."

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan congratulated Ellie-Jo on her achievement. He wrote: "Huge congrats to local student Ellie-Jo Taylor who has won a £15k scholarship from Queen’s University for her community activism. What an incredible achievement. Best of luck in your future endeavours. Well done."

MP Colum Eastwood also sent his congratulations, writing: "Congratulations to Ellie-jo Taylor on winning a £15k scholarship from Queen’s University. Ellie-jo is a dedicated, hardworking activist and has a very bright future ahead of her. We're all incredibly proud of her. Keep up the good work"

The Pathway Opportunity Programme has been supporting students since it began in 2017.  

Since then, it has seen over 1000 students pass through its Pathways, receiving support in study and academic skills, university applications and confidence building activities.