Take the Leap for BDA Youth: Skydive Fundraiser 2026
Members of the BDA Youth Committee, BDA staff and supporters are taking to the skies to raise funds…
31 July 2026
BSL & Deaf culture
BSL Poet Laureate
2027
Honouring Deaf creativity and the beauty of British Sign Language through poetry, performance and visual storytelling.
About
What is the BSL Poet Laureate?
The British Deaf Association runs the annual BSL Poet Laureate competition to celebrate original British Sign Language poetry and find the UK’s next Deaf BSL Poet Laureate.
Our BSL Poet Laureate champions BSL poetry, performs at events across the UK and helps audiences discover the creativity, emotion and visual storytelling at the heart of this art form.
Original BSL poetry
Entrants submit their own original BSL poem or poetic performance.
Expert judging
A panel of Deaf people and BSL poetry specialists selects the winner.
A national platform
The winner performs at events and represents BSL poetry across the UK.
Inspiring our community
The competition celebrates the power and beauty of BSL poetry and Deaf culture.
Experience BSL poetry
BSL poetry comes to life
Watch the BSL Poet Laureate video and discover the creativity, emotion and visual storytelling that make BSL poetry so powerful.
Why it matters
A legacy that inspires
The BSL Poet Laureate celebrates the unique ways Deaf people share stories through movement, language and emotion.
The competition honours a rich tradition of visual poetry and gives new poets the opportunity to explore how BSL can inspire, connect and communicate.
We also remember Dorothy “Dot” Miles, a pioneering Deaf poet whose work helped shape the understanding of BSL poetry.
From your fingertips see a frog leap, at a passing butterfly. The word becomes the picture in this language for the eye.
Dorothy ‘Dot’ Miles
Our storytellers
Past BSL Poet Laureates
2025
Ishtiaq Hussain
The 2025 BSL Poet Laureate, recognised for powerful themes, expressive storytelling and an engaging performance style that blends humour, movement and metaphor.
2024
Ismael Mansoor
The 2024 BSL Poet Laureate, whose work connects language and emotion with expressive clarity, humour and a distinctive performance style.
2023
Kabir Kapoor
The first BSL Poet Laureate, celebrated for energetic performances combining poetry, storytelling and insight.
Could you be the next BSL Poet Laureate?
Applications for the 2026 competition will open soon. Sign up for BDA updates to be among the first to hear when entries open.