Role models and allies

Unfortunately discrimination does present itself in different forms within our society. I am not naive to think that we will be successful in eliminating that 100%, but I am hopeful that we could make strides towards equality within my life time.

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of everything that we do in our daily life. We can only solve grand challenges through diverse and inclusive teams. My dream is to build a workplace where everyone has a voice and an opportunity to reach their full potential. 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion means supporting and celebrating individuals and allowing everyone to thrive whilst being themselves.

I love to see how determinedly the University is working towards increasing diversity. However, at the same time, there is a dire need to create awareness among the wider University on understanding how to treat people from diverse backgrounds, to make this University a better place for the BAME community to work and study.

We appear to be witnessing a disturbing rise in the mainstreaming and normalisation of bigotries such as racism, ableism, homophobia and transphobia in particular. Now more than ever, I feel really strongly that I must not to be complicit through silence, but must actively listen, learn, and stand up and speak out in allyship and solidarity against this tide of hate wherever I see it.

I wish to work in an environment that truly sees itself as a community. Where each individual supports, challenges and celebrates the contributions from all members. Where we can listen and learn through curiosity, collaboration and cultural awareness.

EDI means working with and celebrating the diversity of students and staff and ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to be the best version of themselves.

It's been shown that teams function better when they have a diverse makeup, so it's import ant for us to make sure that we give everyone the opportunity to follow their chosen career path and therefore create the pool of people needed to make up those great teams.

EDI means recognising and celebrating the diversity of our workplace, giving colleagues the opportunity to express their needs and creating a supportive work environment.

EDI Is importamt to me because talent should be allowed to flourish and should be free of barriers.                                            

The greater the mix of people in the university, the greater the mix of skills, experiences and ideas we can draw on. Our university should be a place where everyone is valued as an individual and all employees have a choice and their own beliefs and values are respected.

Everyone should be treated equally no matter what their role in society is, we should protect people from being discriminated against on the grounds of group membership i.e. Sex, Race Disability, Sexual Orientation Religion, Belief or Age.

EDI is the ability to put yourselves in the shoes of others and to appreciate the challenges they face and be prepared to do something about it. It is important to me because I’ve seen what it’s like when it’s missing and it’s not good

As a human race we are intrinsically diverse and as individuals we are all unique. Indeed, the varied perspectives and talents of individuals and groups of people enriches our lives. These differences however are not always recognised in a positive way. Unfortunately the small differences we have as individuals is what often causes division and discrimination. To me equality, diversity and inclusion is the celebration of our differences and recognition of the fundamental importance diversity is to society.

When people from different backgrounds, with different experiences and traits work together, that’s when society really progresses. We need inclusion to make sure no one is left out and that everyone has a voice. Too many people are skipped over due to their circumstances.

We are all different, it is our diversity that makes everyone unique and special, however it is important that everybody is treated equally and have the possibility to express themselves

That whoever we are, we shouldn’t be denied an opportunity.                                                                                                        

It is about having respect for everyone, in how think about and interact with them. We shouldn’t focus on differences – we are all unique and have much to offer.

We live in an ever changing world and we need to ensure individuals or groups of individuals are not treated differently or less favourably, on the basis of their specific protected characteristic, including areas of race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age. We can then respect and value people’s differences to contribute and realise their full potential by promoting an inclusive culture for all staff and students. Through being involved in the work of the committee we can make sure we equip staff and students with the skills to challenge inequality and discrimination in their work/study environment.