Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: events and showcase

A showcase of events held within FoAHB hosted by the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion team
Ink in water isolated on white background. Rainbow of colors
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI team) have organised dedicated events that promote awareness and engagement within the workplace.
By recognising significant cultural observances and historical milestones, the team aims to foster a more inclusive environment where employees and students from diverse backgrounds feel valued and respected. These events are carefully curated to celebrate various cultural heritages, honour achievements, and raise awareness about important issues related to equity and diversity. Through events like workshops, seminars, art exhibitions, film screenings, panel discussions, and other activities, the EDI team works towards creating a workplace that embraces diversity and promotes inclusion at all levels.
 

International Day of Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Thursday 22nd May 2025
As part of our recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21st March), we were proud to host a deeply moving screening of Ernest Cole: Lost and Found.
Rescheduled from our Spring Equinox event, the evening invited students, staff, and community members into an experience of storytelling, remembrance, and reflection. The documentary, directed by Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro) and narrated by LaKeith Stanfield, told the story of South African photographer Ernest Cole, born 21st March 1940 - the very same date now internationally recognised for combating racial discrimination. Cole’s fearless work during apartheid, especially through his landmark photo collection House of Bondage, exposed the brutal realities of racial segregation and helped awaken global consciousness. His original negatives, long lost, were only recently rediscovered, adding even greater weight to the film’s message and timing.
We were truly honoured to welcome Arezoo Farahzad as our guest speaker for the evening. In a heartfelt and powerful introduction, Arezoo shared deeply personal reflections on displacement, identity, justice, and cultural resilience, themes that strongly echoed Ernest Cole’s own life and struggles. Her words resonated with many in the audience, highlighting the continued relevance of Cole’s legacy in today’s context. The symbolism of Cole’ birthday aligning with this international day of observance added a profound layer of significance to the evening.
Originally intended to mark the Spring Equinox and Naw-Rúz (the Bahá’í and Iranian New Year), this event’s central themes, the elimination of prejudice, the pursuit of justice, and the unity of humanity, were present in every moment.
Image of Ernest Cole with text saying 'Ernest Cole: Lost & Found'
Originally intended to mark the Spring Equinox and Naw-Rúz (the Bahá’í and Iranian New Year), this event’s central themes, the elimination of prejudice, the pursuit of justice, and the unity of humanity, were present in every moment.
 

The Human Library

Saturday 15th May 2025
The Human Library was a well-attended event that created a safe and welcoming space for open dialogue and personal conversations. Based on the idea that we all carry unconscious biases and make judgments, the Human Library offered a unique opportunity to challenge these perspectives through meaningful human connection.
At the event, individuals from the community volunteered to become "Books" - people who openly shared their lived experiences with "Readers" in honest, one-to-one or small group conversations lasting around 30 minutes. These Readings encouraged empathy, understanding, and reflection, allowing attendees to learn directly from others in a respectful and engaging way.
Students sat at a table working together
 

Faculty EDI Recognition Awards and Appreciation Awards ceremony

Wednesday 30 April 2025
Digital Badge – Faculty EDI Recognition Award
We had four students who were presented with the Faculty EDI Recognition Award this year for 2024/25. This is now officially a prize code that will be recorded against the students record on Unit-e - school offices in the faculty have been informed:
Building on last year’s Disability Knowledge and Leadership event, the Faculty of AHB launched a new series of impactful discussions, starting in the Roland Levinsky, ‘Building disability Knowledge and Leadership; through a student lens’. This inspiring event featured two outstanding student role models, Isabelle (Issy) Hart and Doaa Shayea, who shared their personal experiences navigating higher education with disabilities.
Issy, a Criminology student with cerebral palsy, advocated for disability awareness and equal opportunities, particularly addressing hate crimes. Doaa, a Sociology student and elite athlete, shared her journey of resilience, excelling academically and in sports despite living with spina bifida.
Students from the Faculty EDI Recognition Awards
To honour their contributions, we are proud to present each student involved in this event with a Special Recognition Award for their dedication to raising awareness and driving positive change. Their efforts continue to inspire a more inclusive and supportive university environment.
Thank you to all who participated, performed, volunteered, or attended. This celebration reaffirmed our belief that diversity strengthens community, and that everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and included.
Joseph De Zoysa was presented with this award for his efforts of promoting EDI, taking the lead on copious cultural events, and is always working to do more. Joseph is the chair of International Students Society, and has consistently offered events for different cultures to come together, such as terracotta pot painting sessions. He also took on the huge task of running a Chinese New Year event in the SU, as our Chinese Society has unfortunately folded. He spent hours making spring rolls, getting craft supplies, making playlists for the event, which was a huge success. Without him, this event would not have happened! We had over 80 students attend to learn about Chinese New Year.
Gurkeerat Chadha was awarded for organising this year's Langar event on campus, Langar is a Sikh practice where everyone, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender etc are welcome to enjoy a free meal! It promotes equality and selfless service which are two coreprinciples of Sikhi. This event brought so many people together from a variety of different backgrounds and was held on the 28th of March in Sherwell Church. Just over 400 people attended this event and received a meal!
 

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Monday 17 March 2025
As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17th–21st March), we hosted a series of informative and interactive workshops aimed at deepening understanding of neurodiversity among both students and staff.
There were some incredible presenters throughout the week, and we gained valuable insight from our special guests who generously shared their experiences and personal journeys within academia. The sessions provided practical strategies, lived experiences, and key considerations for creating more inclusive learning and working environments.
We were especially proud to provide a space for open dialogue and reflection, encouraging our university community to continue shaping a neurodiverse-friendly culture. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of the week.
Colourful silhouettes of people with different internal illustrations, numbers and characters representing neurodiversity
Workshop Highlights:
Understanding Dyspraxia with Jessica Dixon (in-person)
Jess shared her experiences of living with dyspraxia, addressing common misconceptions and practical impacts on daily life and academic work, particularly in lab-based environments.
Understanding OCD with Joe Neville (in-person)
Joe, a writer and performer, offered a powerful perspective on living with OCD, covering myths, realities, and effective support strategies.
Understanding Autism – Session One: From Kanner to Today with Andrew Hall (in-person)
Andrew provided an overview of autism and how societal views have evolved, while highlighting the work still needed to ensure true inclusion.
Understanding Autism – Session Two: It’s More Than Lining Up Trains with Andrew Hall (in-person)
This practical session tackled common misconceptions and online misinformation, offering advice for creating supportive learning environments at all levels.
Disability Inclusion Services – Supporting Neurodiverse Students (in-person and recorded)
Jo Bourton and Karen Walbank from Student Services delivered an informative session covering available support, diagnosis pathways, and the student experience, with input from students with lived experience.
 

Spring Equinox Culture Festival

Thursday 20 March 2025
We were delighted to host the Appreciation Awards Ceremony celebrating the incredible students and volunteers whose dedication made the Spring Equinox Festival such a success. The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural exchange, inclusion, and community spirit, both within our university and beyond. The ceremony also honoured the recipients of this year’s EDI Digital Badge Awards, recognising outstanding contributions to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. These awards reflected our university's commitment to fostering not only academic excellence, but also cultural and social awareness. A special congratulations to the top three students, each awarded a £100 All-for-One voucher for their achievements.
Spring Equinox Cultural Festival
Festival highlights:
Indian Music and Dance Performances
The festival opened with a vibrant showcase of traditional Indian dance styles including Bharatanatyam, Bhangra, Garba, and Bollywood. The energy and artistry from our talented students set a celebratory tone that carried through the day.
Illustration Pop-Up Exhibition
Artists from diverse backgrounds presented works exploring themes of identity, culture, and representation, sparking meaningful conversations about gender and self-expression in art.
'Proud' Event at the SU Outdoor Social Space
This inclusive celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility brought together students in a safe, expressive environment filled with participatory activities promoting diversity, confidence, and community.
Henna Workshop
This popular drop-in activity drew students and staff together in a shared cultural practice that symbolised interconnectedness and mutual respect.
Warli Painting & Spring Sunflower Planting Workshop
Participants engaged in Warli, an ancient Indian art form, while also planting sunflowers to mark the season—an uplifting activity that supported mental wellbeing and growth.
 

She Lead Summit 2024: Empowering Women in Leadership

Wednesday 20 November 2024
The She Lead Summit 2024, held at the ²ÝùÊÓƵ, was a powerful gathering designed to empower women in leadership by fostering dialogue, mentorship, and career development. Organised by Dr Joanitha Ntangeki through the Sisters Talk Foundation, the event brought together students, faculty, professionals, and community leaders to explore strategies for breaking barriers in male-dominated industries, strengthening networking and mentorship opportunities, and driving gender equality in leadership.
Through keynote speeches, interactive workshops, and insightful panel discussions, the summit provided attendees with practical tools to overcome self-doubt, navigate career transitions, and embrace leadership with confidence and purpose.
The event featured distinguished speakers, including Julie Fielder, Councillor Sue Dann, Alexis Bowater OBE, Professor Shaofeng Liu, and Jessica Holliland, among others. Topics ranged from resilience in leadership and career adaptability to the power of mentorship and inclusive decision-making.
She Lead Summit 24 view of chairs in conference room
A key highlight was the Networking with Purpose session, which emphasised the importance of strategic alliances for career growth. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants underscored the event’s transformational impact, with many expressing interests in mentorship programs and future initiatives.
 

Building Disability Knowledge & Leadership: Through A Student Lens

Thursday 7 November 2024
Building on the success of last year’s Disability Knowledge and Leadership event, the Faculty of AHB launched a new series of impactful discussions, with the first session taking place in the Roland Levinsky Building. This inspiring event featured two powerful student role models, Isabelle (Issy) Hart and Doaa Shayea, who shared their personal journeys and lived experiences to highlight the challenges and triumphs of students with disabilities in higher education.
Issy, a Criminology student living with cerebral palsy, captivated the audience with her passion for disability awareness and advocacy for equal opportunities. She shed light on the realities faced by individuals with disabilities, particularly addressing the critical issue of hate crimes. Doaa, a Sociology student and elite athlete, shared her remarkable story of resilience, detailing how she has navigated life with spina bifida while excelling in both academics and sports. Their stories resonated deeply, inspiring attendees to take action toward greater inclusivity and equity within our university and beyond.
The event underscored the faculty’s commitment to raising awareness, driving meaningful change, and ensuring equal access to opportunities for all.
Group of diverse students talking
Attendees left with a deeper understanding of the barriers faced by disabled students, as well as a renewed motivation to support and advocate for inclusivity. The overwhelming engagement and positive feedback from this event reaffirms its impact and importance, paving the way for future discussions that continue to empower our staff and students.
 

International Women's Day

Thursday 7 March 2024
Our Faculty hosted an Athena Swan Showcase event which highlighted significant contributions in their respective fields. Several colleagues and students within the Faculty were nominated to showcase their roles and work as they model inclusion. These valuable insights focussed on fostering inclusivity and diversity, within our policies, practices and teaching resources. The event raised awareness of areas that are supporting the advancement of women and gender equity across our schools and also empower colleagues to value inclusion.
We had inspiring talks from Dr Julie Parsons and Karen Ellis , who outlined their writing retreats or career journeys from different career angles; academically and professionally.
Women themselves aspire to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. Hence, the theme for this year's IWD is Inspire Inclusion..
International Women's Day
 

Building Disability Knowledge and Leadership

Wednesday 18 October 2023
The Faculty EDI team organised a comprehensive event focused on enhancing Disability Knowledge and Leadership within the organisation. The event featured a series of talks, workshops, and discussions aimed at deepening the understanding and refining the approach to disability-related issues. Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to listen to insights from various experts, like Dr. Suanne Gibson (Associate Professor in Education), PGR students, members of the Staff with Disabilities Network, colleagues from Disability Assist Services, and the CEO of Disability Rights UK; Kamran Mallick. The discussions revolved around three key topics and principles: the Disability Confident Scheme, Workplace Culture, and Education and Research practice.
The event achieved several outcomes that included engaging colleagues in meaningful conversations about disability, providing a platform for staff and students within the Faculty and University to share their research and practices, promoting collaborative working practices, and fostering partnerships.
Four people looking at the camera, smiling. Showing diversity in the workplace