The festival focuses on ‘embracing and celebrating difference’ with more than 30 virtual events open to staff, students and alumni. These events will be available through our diversity festival web hub and they aim to:  

• Promote understanding and awareness of diversity and inclusion
• Enable challenging conversations
• Champion protected characteristics and beyond

Highlights include:

• An interview with Gilles Peterson, broadcaster, DJ and record collector who hosts a weekly Saturday afternoon show on BBC Radio 6.
• Nadia Whittome MP, Dr Supriya Garikipati and Moss Mitson join a panel discussion focusing on period inequality and debunking stigma and myths around menstruation.
• Baroness Young of Hornsey OBE (Chancellor) and Professor Shearer West CBE (Vice-Chancellor) reflect on their own experiences of challenging conversations and discuss how self-reflection helps to acquire new awareness.
• Dr Li Shean Toh and Dr Tracey Warren share their research into the impact of Covid-19 on minority groups and explore the potential implications for university strategy and policy.
• Obianuju Amamgbo, Work Coach, Department for Work and Pensions, provides practical advice on the support available for our staff and students who are also carers.

Research beacons, Schools and Faculties are getting involved too by offering a range of equality, diversity and inclusion events showcasing their research and learning activity.

The festival also celebrates International Women’s Day and signposts to events and activities from LGBT+ history month.

Want to get involved? Then contribute to our festival expo! Share your photographs inspired by the five ways to wellbeing and access resources and support to promote positive mental health and wellbeing. A selection of these images will be shared during the festival and promoted through our digital media channels.

Want to find out more? Go to our diversity festival web hub to view the schedule, see our contributors, book onto keynote events and submit expo images. You’ll also be able to access recorded content from Monday 8 March 2021.

Any questions? Submit your question via our diversity festival web hub.

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at the university here.