Equality, diversity and inclusion in universities is changing. Moving away from a siloed tactical or functional approach, evidencing EDI in practice and behaviours is becoming essential for leadership and governance across the breadth of universities’ missions.

Equality, diversity and inclusion work is fuelled by a dream of a more inclusive and just world – a world that universities are uniquely positioned to help shape. But given that world is not yet a reality, the work can also be fraught with competing opinions, power struggles, scepticism, culture wars – and burnout. A reset is needed, and a change of approach that builds coalitions, communities of practice and collective priorities across issues, characteristics, departments, and professional roles in universities.

At this half day online event, in partnership with Advance HE, we’ll think about how whole-institution strategy and expert leadership combines with staff and student voice and lived experience to create real change on the ground. We’ll take a first look at the latest sector wide equality data, and tackle the concept of intersectionality and what the practical response should be. And we’ll explore the potential for a fresh sector-wide approach to creating inclusive universities through an integrated equalities charter.

Join us if you are a leader, an expert, passionate about the issue, or just curious about the role you could play. We are offering a discounted rate to EDI practitioners, those working on or engaged in EDI initiatives from any area of the institution.

Agenda

09.30 Strategic leadership of equality, diversity and inclusion

10.10 From data to action: interrogating intersectionality in equalities data

10.50 Break

11.10 Breaking down silos: working across the university community

12.00 Supporting leadership at every level

12.45 Exploring the potential for an integrated equalities charter

13.00 Close

Default title

Supporters

Equality, diversity and inclusion in universities is changing. Moving away from a siloed tactical or functional approach, evidencing EDI in practice and behaviours is becoming essential for leadership and governance across the breadth of universities’ missions.

Equality, diversity and inclusion work is fuelled by a dream of a more inclusive and just world – a world that universities are uniquely positioned to help shape. But given that world is not yet a reality, the work can also be fraught with competing opinions, power struggles, scepticism, culture wars – and burnout. A reset is needed, and a change of approach that builds coalitions, communities of practice and collective priorities across issues, characteristics, departments, and professional roles in universities.

At this half day online event, in partnership with Advance HE, we’ll think about how whole-institution strategy and expert leadership combines with staff and student voice and lived experience to create real change on the ground. We’ll take a first look at the latest sector wide equality data, and tackle the concept of intersectionality and what the practical response should be. And we’ll explore the potential for a fresh sector-wide approach to creating inclusive universities through an integrated equalities charter.

Join us if you are a leader, an expert, passionate about the issue, or just curious about the role you could play. We are offering a discounted rate to EDI practitioners, those working on or engaged in EDI initiatives from any area of the institution.

Agenda

09.30 Strategic leadership of equality, diversity and inclusion

10.10 From data to action: interrogating intersectionality in equalities data

10.50 Break

11.10 Breaking down silos: working across the university community

12.00 Supporting leadership at every level

12.45 Exploring the potential for an integrated equalities charter

13.00 Close

Default title

Supporters

Speakers

  • Sally Mapstone

    Principal and Vice Chancellor, University of St Andrews

    As a lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Professor Mapstone was involved in the founding of Oxford’s first women’s consciousness-raising groups, served as the National Union of Journalists trade union representative at Weidenfeld and Nicolson, and spent much of her Oxford career at St Hilda’s, Oxford’s last women’s only college. Professor Mapstone was appointed Pro-Vice-Chancellor … Continued

  • Jenny Higham

    Principal, St George's, University of London

    Professor Jenny Higham joined St George’s as Principal in November 2015 and is responsible for directing all activities and developments at the university. Professor Higham led the creation of the St George’s Strategic Plan 2017-2022, which identifies the values and strengths that make St George’s a distinctive community and sets out how we will sustain our … Continued

  • Parveen Yaqoob

    Deputy Vice Chancellor and Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, University of Reading

    Parveen Yaqoob is Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation at the University of Reading. She is Professor of Nutritional Physiology and an active contributor to several research council funding panels. She is also Chair of the Athena Swan Governance Committee, which led the recent transformation of the Athena Swan Charter.

  • Belinda Colston

    Director, Eleanor Glanville Centre, University of Lincoln

    Belinda is the Head and founding Director of the Eleanor Glanville Centre (EGC) at the University of Lincoln (UK), which was set up in 2016 as the institution’s central department for diversity & inclusion. Belinda specialises in the development and evaluation of EDI strategies and interventions, and their impact across the sector. She has been … Continued

  • Adeela Shafi

    Associate professor in Education, University of Gloucestershire

    Adeela has a background in psychology and education, teaching in higher education for over 16 years. Her research draws on psychological theories to explore how to re-engage young offenders with formal education and learning in a secure custodial setting. She has worked on international projects in Rwanda and Pakistan, currently leading on two European Erasmus+ … Continued

  • Arun Verma

    Head of the Race Equality Charter, Advance HE

    Arun Verma is a leading specialist on integrating intersectionality, equality and inclusion across national and global policy and programmes and in post as the Head of the Race Equality Charter for Advance HE. He completed his PhD exploring the role of intersecting identities in health professions education and has gone on to implement race equality … Continued

  • Eden Ladley

    Student Voice Co-ordinator (Liberation), University of Salford Students Union

    Eden Ladley works in the student voice team at Salford SU, where xe is a liberation specialist. In addition, she works at an LGBT charity in Manchester where xe delivers a community programme. Previous to this, she was an elected full time liberation officer in the National Union of Students.

  • Louise Bryant

    Co-Dean for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, University of Leeds

    Louise is Professor in Psychological and Social Medicine, Dean for Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the University of Leeds, and Deputy Dean for EDI in the Faculty of Medicine and Health. Louise has led Athena SWAN and EDI activities at the University of Leeds since 2012, most recently leading the School of Medicine’s Athena … Continued

  • Peny Sotiropoulou

    Mixed methods researcher, Advance HE

    Mixed-Methods Researcher, Advance HE

  • David Bass

    Interim Associate Director for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Advance HE

    David is responsible for providing organisational leadership in Advance HE’s work on EDI, both internally and externally. He brings a wealth of experience working with universities and the tertiary sector, in equality and diversity, governance, access, as well as strategic planning and management. David has been central to ensuring EDI is strongly embedded in Advance … Continued

  • Debbie McVitty

    Editor, Wonkhe

    Debbie McVitty, Editor, Wonkhe

  • Jim Dickinson

    Associate Editor, Wonkhe

    Jim is an Associate Editor at Wonkhe and takes a particular interest in the student experience, university governance, and regulation – and leads our work with students’ unions. His career background is in support for student leadership. He has held senior roles at the National Union of Students – where he led on SU development, … Continued