Dr Steven Kettell has been shortlisted for the National Secular Society's Secularist of the Year Award

The award, which comes with a £5000 prize recognises a campaigner or group for an outstanding contribution to the secularist movement.

Following nominations from their members and supports, the elected council of management of the National Secular Society selects a shortlist, with the winner due to be announced at the event on 18 March.

He was nominated for co-ordinating a secular response to the Commission on Religion and Belief. His work helped rebut calls for more religious privilege, and set out the urgent case for a new secular constitutional settlement in the UK.

Dr Kettell said it was "a great surprise and a genuine honour to be shortlisted for the Secularist of the Year Award." He said his own research had convinced him that "secularism is the best means of ensuring equal rights and freedoms for all citizens, regardless of their religion or belief."

More information can be found on their website.