Development Monthly | #33 July 2024 | HE Horizon: Transforming Tomorrow’s HE: Sustaining EDI in the Age of AI
Thank you to everyone who came to see us to introduce themselves at the inaugural AHEP conference. We got to meet many of you at our Special Interest Group (SIG) stand, and at the SIG workshop session. It was lovely to get some idea of what members would like to see from us as a SIG, and it gave us a real sense of the historical SIG community that we hope to build and strengthen.
Our Community Ethos & Aims
We want to be able to create a safer space to navigate conversations about equality, equity and inclusion in the higher education sector and wider society. Through formal and informal meetings, workshops, and networking opportunities we aim to support individuals in the sharing of best practice, and building knowledge and learning opportunities.
Although between us we have some great ideas, we want to hear from YOU… what would you like to see? You can suggest topics, activities, or events that you would like from this group using the link HERE.
Who are we?
Dr Arun Verma (he/him), Head of Inclusion, University of London
I joined the EDI SIG group because there are incredible people doing excellent work to actualise their equality and inclusion goals and ambitions and being part of a community to support and learn from one another is more important now than ever before. The work of advancing and actualising equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education can often feel like a long process and endeavour.
I have seen throughout my career incredible individuals and teams that have done great work to enable their institutions to acknowledge inequalities that are present, develop activities that tackle and eradicate inequalities, and promote inclusive cultures across the whole institution. As the EDI SIG I feel we have a great opportunity to convene spaces that enable people to bring and share their experiences, challenges, solutions and aspirations and I’m really excited to work with incredible coordinators to help bring these spaces to life.
Emily Maddock Khan (she/her), Head of College Services, University of Nottingham International College (Kaplan International Pathways)
I joined the EDI Special Interest Group because it resonates with me personally, with my beliefs for staff experiences, for student experiences, and because I knew I could bring my experience within EDI to the group. I have worked in HE for over 15 years and have seen both good EDI practice and experienced and witnessed barriers.
I am a deaf, disabled, neurodiverse gay woman with experience across teaching, international development, admissions and WP, student services and registry. I am also a current student, so have the best of both worlds in seeing what is great and what more can be done to create inclusive environments that celebrate diversity. I have been involved in EDI staff networks, ERGs, and steering groups in almost every role I have held, and I am founder and co-chair of Kaplan International Pathways staff LGBTQIA+ network, as well as a member of ERGs focused on women and gender, ability, race equality, and parents and carers. I am excited about what we can achieve together across our wonderful sector.
Aabida Patel (she/her), Senior Business Analyst, Imperial College London
It is difficult for me to summarise why I joined this SIG as Deputy Coordinator without writing an entire essay. Fundamentally, this SIG aligns well with my core values. Having worked in the HE sector for a year and a half, as far as we have come, there is still a long way to go to ensure our Universities are fully inclusive of students and staff. Everyone should be able to come to a University and live their true authentic selves free from harm and discrimination.
At Imperial College London, I represent Registry on the Academic Services EDI Steering Group and am a committee member for the ABLE (Disability) Staff Network. I have a keen interest in, and passion for, storytelling and enabling conversations around intersectionality. I hope the EDI SIG will bring forward and shine a light on the important topics for everyone to learn and takeaway from.
Alex Wooster (she/her), Faculty Business Manager, Kings College London
I joined this wonderful SIG as a deputy coordinator because I have a passion for building inclusive workplaces. After studying my MSc in gender and sexuality I wanted to apply what I had learnt practically in the sector, which led to my applying for this opportunity.
I am a committee member of King’s College Parent and Carer Network (NEST) because I strive to improve the workplace for parents and carers and eliminate pregnancy and maternity related discrimination. I am also an active member of the Proudly King’s and Gender Networks (ELEVATE) . With this opportunity I hope to contribute to growing the community and enabling knowledge and understanding in key sector-related EDI topics.
What do we have planned?
We are planning an official launch of the SIG during October and November where we hope to connect with as many of you as possible, with further details to follow soon.
We would also love to set up something informal to get to know you all better. With that in mind we are planning a quarterly lunch time discussion group that will suggest some reading, podcasts, movies and more on related EDI topics to come together and discuss.
With the help from our community, and through the above planned activities, we will work on a vision with planned objectives that we will share on the web page.
Want to join? To find out more about the EDI SIG, and other groups, visit the SIG webpage and express your interest today!
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