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.

She Lead Summit 2024: Empowering Women in Leadership

Wednesday 20 November 2024

The She Lead Summit 2024, held at the University of Plymouth, 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.

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..

View some of the colleagues and students within the faculty who have been nominated to showcase their roles and work as they model inclusion and inspire us in many ways

Spring Equinox Culture Festival

Thursday 21 March 2024

The Spring Equinox event was a vibrant celebration of heritage, culture, wellbeing, and community at the Roland Levinsky Building. This event marked the first day of spring and commemorated several cultural events that coincide with the Spring Equinox. Among these celebrations were Norooz, the Persian New Year; Holi festival in India; Easter; and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. These diverse cultural observances added richness and depth to the event, showcasing traditions from around the world.

The Spring Equinox holds cultural significance in many countries, each with its unique traditions and rituals to mark this celestial event. While the specific customs vary widely, they all share a common theme of celebrating new beginnings and welcoming the arrival of spring. The diversity of celebrations during the Spring Equinox highlights the beauty of different cultures coming together to honour nature’s cycles and embrace renewal.

The Spring Equinox event created an electric buzz within the Roland Levinsky Building, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation for cultural diversity among staff and students. By providing a creative space for engagement and celebration, the event aimed to create an inclusive environment where individuals could learn about and embrace various cultural practices. The gathering served as an opportunity for cross-cultural exchange, promoting understanding and respect for different heritages while fostering a sense of belonging within the community.

Explore the events that made up the Spring Equinox Culture Festival

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.