Packed programme of events for National Inclusion Week 2019
Making Leeds a beacon of excellence for Equality and Inclusion in the higher education sector.
There are plenty of events to choose from as Leeds celebrates National Inclusion Week 2019
This is the vision for the University as we reveal a packed programme of events to celebrate National Inclusion Week 2019 (23-29 September) for the third year running.
Staff and students are invited to attend a wide range of initiatives on offer, which highlight the distinctively international and diverse community at Leeds.
Sabiha Patel, Head of Equality and Inclusion in the Equality Policy Unit (EPU), said: “Our vision is that Leeds is ‘a beacon of excellence for Equality and Inclusion in the higher education sector’. And we value your support in making this week a success.
“It’s your opportunity to step out from your familiar environment and team to meet other colleagues or students with different experiences and perspectives that add to our rich campus environment. It’s also a chance to reflect on your own experiences and how your everyday work can enhance equality and inclusion.”
This year’s theme is ‘Everyday Inclusion – Celebrate and Inspire’.
We are holding events throughout the week (see the full listings below). Details are listed below or download the programme. You can sign up for any of the events via the online registration system.
Contact EPU or call 0113 343 6973 for further information.
Monday 23 September
Studying Without Family Support, 2-4pm, Baines Wing G.03
Are you studying at Leeds without support from your family? Or maybe you teach or support estranged students and want to find out more about the challenges they face and the help that is available?
Drop in to meet Lisa Firth – our main contact for estranged students – for an informal chat about the difficulties of studying without parental support and the advice and assistance available. You can also feed your ideas into our ongoing discussions about how Leeds might improve and extend the support it offers to estranged or unsupported students in the future.
No need to book; just turn up! Refreshments will be available.
Tuesday 24 September
Rachael O'Connor, from the School of Law, who will be leading the Reverse Mentoring discussion
Reverse Mentoring, noon to 1pm, Baines Wing G.37
In an international law school, socially ingrained understandings of the ‘teacher-student’ relationship can significantly impact on attempts to create an internationally inclusive learning community. International students may be less likely to have experienced the collaborative yet independent learning culture often encouraged in UK universities.
This discussion will focus on a pilot project in the School of Law, designed to assess whether engagement in reverse mentoring between international students and academic staff can positively impact on international students’ sense of belonging and community, as well as changing staff perceptions about and/or understandings of international students.
The discussion will focus on:
- existing literature on international student experiences
- considerations in designing a pilot reverse mentoring scheme; and
- the aims of the project.
Registration required.
Making
Social Media More Accessible, 1-1.45pm, Baines Wing G.37
Tips and tricks from Martin Carter, Social Media Manager at Leeds, on how to make your social channels more inclusive, with guidance covering all the major social media accounts.
Suitable for colleagues running social media accounts at Leeds, or for those who just want to make their own social media more inclusive. Registration required.
Trans Awareness Training: ‘The Basics’, 2-3.30pm, Chemistry LT E G.76
This 90-minute session, run by Gendered Intelligence, will:
- explain what ‘trans’ means and describe the diversity of those who might use the term
- introduce key concepts crucial to understanding trans people
- cover the main legislation relating to trans identities; and
- outline ways in which an organisation can work towards being trans-inclusive.
Registration required.
Wednesday 25 September
Accessibility
Features of Office 365, 11am to noon, IT Training Room 1 (EC Stoner Building
6.30)
Microsoft provides a range of accessibility tools that can help everyone make better use of their products. This session is a short presentation introducing some of these features in Windows and Office 365, followed by time to try them out yourself. Registration required.
Everyday Inclusion in Everyday Teaching, 11am to 12.30pm (also 26 September, 1-2.30pm)
NB: Location will be confirmed by email to registered attendees
This free, interactive, 90-minute workshop is open to staff, postgraduate researchers and members of the public, who are involved in teaching and/or supporting adult learners. The workshop is running twice, to ensure more people can attend and share practice.
Members of the Inclusive Learning and Teaching Group at Leeds will facilitate the workshop: Jenny Brady is Project Lead on the Inclusive Learning and Teaching Project and is currently based in LITE (Leeds Institute of Teaching Excellence) and Kirsten Thompson is a Digital Practice Adviser in the Academic Practice Team in OD&PL.
How well do you know your students? Is it acceptable that some students have an advantage over others because of their linguistic or cultural background or the way they learn? Come find out.
Leeds has recently committed to a baseline of inclusion in learning and teaching. This interactive workshop will help you reflect on, and share, your existing practice. Participation is welcomed from student education and supporting roles, as well as those currently involved in teaching. Registration required.
Speed
Networking with an International Focus, noon to 1.30pm, Business School, Maurice Keyworth SR (1.04)
With a rich and diverse staff body encompassing colleagues from more than 90 countries, Leeds has a lot to offer, but how much do you really know about your colleagues or, indeed, your own cultural heritage?
This highly interactive and innovative session will ignite your cultural curiosity, helping you really tap into the fantastic breadth of knowledge and experience we have right here on campus, in a fun and non-judgemental context! Registration required.
Lunch
and Learn – Supporting Working Carers, 1-2pm, Baines Wing G.37
Did you know that one in nine workers in the UK are also unpaid carers of parents or friends?
These working carers are often continually juggling work and caring commitments, meaning some may struggle to stay in work. Line managers have a critical role in recognising the needs of working carers and supporting them where they can.
This session is a chance to find out more about how you can help to support working carers, either as a line manager or as a colleague.
Carers Leeds will explain who working carers are, explore the issues they face, explain why it’s important we support working carers and how we can do this. It will also advise on the sources of help available to managers and colleagues.
The presentation will be followed by lunch and networking at 1.45pm. Registration required.
‘Feeling
Included as an International Research Fellow’, 2-3pm, Baines Wing 1.16
A presentation by Dr Natalie Van der Wal (Management Division, Leeds University Business School) on what it is like to be an international Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research Fellow. She will be sharing her positive feelings about inclusivity here at Leeds and how she found settling into a new environment as an international member of staff.
Dr Van der Wal (pictured above) will also be discussing her research into fire evacuation, terrorist attacks and other threats that require emergency evacuations. Registration required.
Thursday 26 September
Attract, Retain and Grow – Diverse Researchers, 11.20am to 12.30pm, Seminar Room 2 (OD&PL)
A roundtable discussion looking at the key challenges and opportunities for early career researchers from underrepresented groups.
The session will include contributions from Dr Vania Dimitrova, from the School of Computing; Dr Emilio Garcia-Taengua, from the School of Civil Engineering; and other colleagues from across campus. It is open to all and PhDs/Post Doctorates are particularly welcome. Registration required.
Project
Inclusive Education: Let’s employ learning disabled people as educational
specialists, 1-2pm, Baines Wing G.37
Leeds University Business School and human rights organisation, Change UK, are holding a talk on this subject by Professor Fabian van Essen, from the Institute of Education in London.
Professor van Essen will be discussing his project and speaking about the plans he has to develop something similar here in the Leeds. Registration required.
Chinese Name Pronunciation, 2-3pm, Parkinson SR (B.11)
Have you ever wondered what the correct pronunciation of the last name Zhang is? You may be surprised to learn that the ‘zh’ sound is actually more like a ‘J’ sound (as in the word John).
Join us and learn tips and strategies that will help you better pronounce the names of the Chinese students and colleagues. The workshop is led by a native Chinese-speaker Joyce Cai, who works at the Language Centre. Participants will leave this one-hour session able to comfortably pronounce the names of students from mainland China. Registration required.
Friday 27 September
Climbing Wall Taster Sessions, noon to 2pm, The Edge (book at The Edge reception)
Would you like to try climbing? The Edge is offering free 30-minute taster sessions for the climbing wall.
The idea behind these individual sessions is to provide an opportunity for you to experience climbing at your own pace, and discuss with the instructor how you can take it further, if you wish, or just go along for a new experience!
You are very welcome to take someone with you, or go on your own and enjoy 30 minutes’ private coaching. If you would like to discuss anything beforehand, such as access issues or anything else you think may affect your experience or prevent you from taking part, please contact Helen Pepper, Climbing Coordinator, via email or call 07917 141810.
Empowering Potential: Microsoft Assistive Technologies, 2.30-4pm, Maurice Keyworth Building G.02
Delivered by Arran Smith, Microsoft’s UK Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Dyslexia Consultant, this session will look at Assistive Technology, which enables teachers, students and dyslexic people of all ages to access the inbuilt assistive technology anytime, anywhere.
Arran will talk about the functionality added to Office 365 and Windows 10 that can help to support its dyslexic users. He will also be looking at how it can support the needs of students with dyslexia and SEND. Registration required.
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