Qaisra Shahraz MBE JP FRSA is an educationist, a former Ofsted inspector, quality manager, teacher trainer and has worked in schools, colleges and Manchester Adult Education. She is also a critically-acclaimed novelist, a prize winning gender, peace and interfaith activist and a magistrate
Qaisra is the winner of the National Diversity ‘Lifetime Achiever Award.’(2016). She gained an MBE for ‘Services to Gender Equality and Cultural Learning. She is a former alumni of Manchester and University of Salford gaining two Masters degrees in English Literature and in Scriptwriting for TV and Radio in 2002. She is the patron of Manchester Literature and Philosophical Society, and serves on several boards as an adviser and trustee, including We Stand Together.
Qaisra is the founder, curator and Executive Director of MACFEST (Muslim Arts and Culture Festival) and Muslim Women’s Arts Foundation. As part of MACFEST youth festival she works nationally across the education sector in schools and colleges celebrating arts, culture, promoting diversity and connecting communities.