Annual alumni celebration recognises two law graduates

Two former law students have been celebrated at Cardiff University’s 30(ish) Awards.

The annual awards recognise the achievements of alumni who have made a positive contribution to their community, and all before they hit 30.

A law degree may seem like the route to becoming a lawyer or barrister but many of our alumni utilise their skills in a myriad of ways post university.

Highlighting the diversity of careers that law students often progress to, this year’s winners from our school illustrate the scope of opportunities ahead of you when you leave university.

Chiron Hooson (LLB 2017) - Recognised in the Equity advocate category

Chiron is an advocate for LGBTIQ+ health, equity, and inclusion, working across community engagement, policy, and public events in Australia.

As Conference & Events Coordinator at Thorne Harbour Health, they lead high-impact programmes that centre marginalised and culturally diverse communities.

Chiron chairs the organisation’s Multicultural Advisory Committee and launched a major LGBTIQ+ multicultural event series in partnership with Melbourne city councils – creating vital platforms for celebration, visibility, and cross-cultural connection.

They founded the Red Ribbon Run, Australia’s only fun run dedicated to World AIDS Day, and presented at the WorldPride Human Rights Conference in Washington, DC, sharing intergenerational strategies for HIV advocacy. Chiron has also led coordination of the national LGBTIQ+ Women’s Health Conference, restoration of the AIDS Memorial Garden in Melbourne, and Thorne Harbour’s largest-ever Pride March entry.

Named in Out for Australia’s 30 Under 30 list, Chiron’s leadership is rooted in empathy, equity, and purposeful change. Their advocacy journey began at Cardiff University as a Student Senator and Just Like Us ambassador – experiences that continue to shape their inclusive approach to community impact.

Mel Owen (LLB 2018) - Recognised in the Journalism and Media category

Mel has established herself as a leading player in Welsh media as a stand-up comedian, political podcaster, writer, presenter and advocate of the Welsh language.

Dubbed “obviously multi-talented” (Ed Fringe Review) and “one to watch” (The Scotsman), she is an award-winning comedian with a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run under her belt. Mel spent 2024 as tour support for Welsh comedy icons Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Elis James.

Mel has written for Netflix, BBC Radio 4, BBC One and Channel 4 and has authored her own nonfiction book Oedolyn (ish!), which has been shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year.

She currently co-presents politics podcast For Wales See Wales and created and co-presented Mel Mal Jal, Wales’ most listened-to Welsh language podcast in 2021 and 2022. It was later adopted under the BBC Sounds umbrella and shortlisted for two British Podcast Awards.

A panellist on BBC One’s What Just Happened and former columnist for The National, Mel has worked closely with Coleg Cymraeg and has supported a number of Cardiff University student initiatives in recent years.

2025’s 30ish awards took place on Thursday 23 October. Find out about the other categories and winners on the 30ish awards website. Congratulations to everyone who was celebrated this year!