A new culture of belonging

The University of Nottingham celebrates equality, diversity and inclusion

The University of Nottingham’s commitment to raising awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion, has been underscored by the arrival of a new Pro-ViceChancellor (PVC), Professor Katherine Linehan. Professor Linehan, who manages her own disability, namely sacral nerve damage resulting in chronic pain and mobility challenges and fibromyalgia, expresses that she is “passionate about everyone being able to bring their authentic self to work or study and to creating truly inclusive and diverse communities. In order to be seen as committed to my career, I hid my disability for many years and over worked because I was a woman and a mother. I want to make sure this is not the experience of future generations and this aspiration was the driving force for me leaving my career in anatomy to focus on EDI. In my new role at Nottingham, I am endeavouring to create a permissive culture so we can learn about each other’s lived experiences, educate ourselves, celebrate diversity and difference and create a true sense of belonging for all.”

Nottingham is also hosting its 2022 Diversity Festival, set to take place from Monday 13 to Friday 24 June, following the success of the inaugural event last year, which aimed to embrace and celebrate difference with UK-based staff, students and alumni and enabled the university to shine a light on a wide range of challenging topics and areas that aren’t always highlighted by recognition months throughout the year.

The two-week virtual festival attracted more than 5,000 people to view the University’s diversity festival web hub and more than 1,500 attendees at events. Events ranged from an interview with Gilles Peterson (BBC 6 music DJ) about diversity in music, performances from student musicians and keynote panel events on the impact of Covid-19 on minority groups, period poverty and caring for carers.

This year’s event will offer in-person and virtual events including a launch video, stalls, performances, keynote and local events, free food sampling, music takeover and mix tapes and a ‘cultural exchange’ designed to engage and involve schools, faculties and departments locally to embrace and celebrate difference in their area. The event can be joined, virtually, outside the University by a global audience.

Diversity Festival web hub. www.nottingham.ac.uk/ diversityfestival/diversity-festival.aspx

www.nottingham.ac.uk