I am so pleased to announce that I am a finalist for the Alan Turing Award, I Love Manchester – For innovation, creativity and smart thinking. This award recognises a brilliant mind in Greater Manchester that’s solving problems in bold and unique ways.

The email read – “We’re delighted to let you know that Dez – Loveartpix has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Alan Turing Award at the I Love Manchester Awards 2025!

This year saw an incredible number of nominations from across Greater Manchester, and being shortlisted is a real achievement. Dez has been recognised for the positive impact he is making, and we can’t wait to celebrate that with you.”

This came as a huge surprise, and just to be in the final feels like a win. Turing is a personal hero to me – even featured in one of my collaborative pieces of art at my debut art exhibition ‘A Neurodivergent Art Exhibition’ in Spinningfields, Manchester earlier this year. Like him, I am often misunderstood, and I have struggled with the debilitating factors of having a neurodivergent condition in a neurotypical society.

‘Alan Turing’s work in breaking the Enigma code is estimated to have shortened World War II by about two to four years. Some historians suggest that Turing’s contributions may have saved between 14 million to 21 million lives by hastening the end of the war and preventing prolonged conflict. His genius in cryptography played a crucial role in Allied victories.

Alan Turing is considered to have exhibited traits consistent with what is now recognised as autism. While he was not diagnosed in his lifetime, many top scholars suggest this was the case.

Despite his groundbreaking contributions to mathematics, computer science, and cryptography, Turing’s life was tragically cut short when he died by suicide in 1954 at the age of 41. His legacy continues to profoundly influence computing and is a reminder of the importance of acceptance and understanding of neurodiversity’

His life was marked by struggle and pain, yet he persevered and changed history for the better, despite the mistreatment he endured from society. Alan Turing’s story serves as a powerful reminder that we, as a society, must strive for greater acceptance and understanding. Imagine a world where society embraced and accepted difference – what incredible innovations he might have produced or achievements he could have reached. Imagine the brilliant minds that are crushed every day due to a lack of understanding still today. Turing’s journey inspires me to keep fighting for change, with the hope of creating a better society for generations to come.

This year has been enormous for me already, and getting into the final for such a prestigious award has shown me that what I’m doing to make a difference is being recognised, and I am on the right path.

I want to thank the ‘I Love Manchester’ panel for selecting me as a finalist and wish everyone who has made it through to the final all the best – we are all fighting to make society a better place, so we are all winners. 

This is a public vote, so if you wish to vote for me, please follow the link below. 

http://ilovemanchester.com/awards