2nd UKCGE Conference on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in PG Research

Over two days, attendees participated in a varied programme of talks and workshops dealing with themes such as managing funded projects, promoting EDI in the workplace, tackling bias and privilege, and building communities. 

Day One began with a keynote presentation from Professor Tina Ramkalawan (Director of the Graduate School, Brunel University London) entitled ​‘Visible Invisibility and Other Emerging Superpowers in a Diverse Academy’, while Day Two’s keynote came from Louise Banahene MBE (Director of Educational Engagement and Student Success, University of Leeds), who spoke about: ​‘Identity and inequity: building access to, and participation, in postgraduate research through a multi-faceted lens’.

Summing up at the close of the conference, Dr Owen Gower (Director of UKCGE) said it was striking how much tenacity goes into EDI work in universities: ​“how much unpaid work goes into putting grant funding applications together for example”. Dr Rebekah Smith McGloin (Nottingham Trent University) echoed this sentiment, adding: ​“we’ve got so many people in the room who are anxious an agitated, empowered and powerful and really trying to shift the dial and make a difference in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion space. We should try to squeeze the most that we possibly can out of the conversations that we’ve had over the last couple of days”.

Meanwhile, Mandy Gill (University of Nottingham) said how inspiring she had found Professor Ramkalawan’s keynote. She said it was a rare skill to face injustice with a soft heart. ​“I’ve heard conversations where people are sharing their frustrations and it’s important to have a safe space for that. I’ve really appreciated hearing some interesting insights from so many of you.” Dr Ifedapo Francis Awolowo (Sheffield Hallam University) added: ​“I must say, I’m blown away by the commitment and the tenacity of every one of you here over the last two days. I salute your courage and please don’t be discouraged: progress will be slow so let’s be patient”.

Finally, Dami Folayan (University of Leeds) was welcomed to the stage to highlight Generation Delta, which is looking at increasing the number of women from racially minoritised backgrounds who are going through the PGR cycle in the UK. She shared two poems which she had written in response to the project, encapsulating the themes of tolerance, inclusion and equity which had run throughout the conference.