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Students and staff from across Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø were welcomed on 21 October to discuss Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø’s progress on Race Equality at Is Race Equality Real at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø?, an interactive event chaired by Ms Sandy Ogundele, Students' Union Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø BME Student's Officer, and co-organised by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø’s Race Equality Steering Group and Students’ Union Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø. The event, which marks Black History Month 2019, aimed to take a look back over the last five years of institutional work on race equality at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø, and invite discussion on the extent of progress made.

Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu (Professor of Pharmacy and the Provost’s Envoy for Race Equality) led the opening remarks, followed by speeches from panel members, who included Dr Mike Sulu, Co-Chair of the Race Equality Steering Group, Dr Kamna Patel, Vice Dean (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) at The Bartlett, Ms Paulette Williams, Head of Student Success Projects, Ms Nilisha Vashist, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍøU Women's Officer and Professor Michael Arthur, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø President & Provost. Following the panel speeches, the audience – consisting of members of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø community – were invited to share experiences and views, and the diverse mix of staff and students ensured conversations about race between both were incorporated in the discussions.

Results from the panel discussion and audience poll showed that the majority of those in attendance believe that there is work to be done on race equality at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø, but recognise also the positive achievements that have been made. In addition, while there was no consensus on prioritising any particular element of equality, staff and students agreed on the necessity of educating others about the lived experience of people of colour, as well as empowering others to feel comfortable to have discussions that involve race.

The future of race equality at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø is certainly promising, with the institution recently celebrating the opening of the new Centre for the Study of Race and Racism, of which Professor Paul Gilroy is founding Director, and launching key initiatives to support staff and students, including the BAME Awarding Gap, Inclusive Advocacy and Stellar HE. Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø's move East and subsequent increase in the size of both students and staff will enable further diversity and the emergence of new role models in key positions, as well as the greater inclusion of the student voice. It was agreed by both Professor Uchegbu and the Provost that Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø – like all other institutions – is institutionally racist, but by acknowledging this and working together to remove inequality, we can improve the institution for everyone.

ByÌýDr MichaelÌýSulu, Race Equality Steering GroupÌýCo-Chair andÌýSandy Ogundele, Students' Union Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø BME Student's Officer.

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