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Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê’s annual Inclusion Awards took place on 16 July 2024 and saw staff and students being recognised for the fantastic equality, diversity and inclusion related work happening across the institution.

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê’s annual Inclusion Awards 2024Ìýtook place on Tuesday 16 July 2024 and saw Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê staff and students being recognised and celebrated for the fantastic equality, diversity and inclusion related work happening across the institution.

The Inclusion Awards are a way of highlighting people who are making a difference to equity, diversity and inclusion at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê, in addition to their day jobs, and a chance to recognise what our staff and students have achieved over the academic year.

Award recipients were honoured at the ceremony, with awards presented by President and & Provost Professor Michael Spence, Sir Stephen Wall, former Chair of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Council, Indie Beedie, Disability Equality Envoy, Donna Dalrymple, Chief People Officer, Max Hill, Director of Workplace Health and Sara Shafiei, Vice-Dean of EDI.

The evening itself celebrated the achievements of over 100 nominated colleagues, teams, and students from across the institution. Professor Alison Koslowski, Pro-Provost Equity & Inclusion, welcomed the attendees, Dr Xine Yao gave a keynote speech, Provost shared his reflections on the evening and Lesley Houfe, Interim Director of EDI provided the closing remarks.

Award winners

Winners were announced in six award categories:

1.ÌýProvost’s award for Embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (staff only)

This award recognises an individual or team’s effort to embed EDI into mainstream work through their approach and undertaking of tasks, be it day-to-day tasks or larger projects.

Award Winner: Eshka Chuck, Estates Division

Nominated by: Emilia Olsen

Watch a video of Eshka highlighting some of the EDI work they have undertaken

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Highly Commended Award: Molly Lavendar-Rose

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Nominated by: Helen Bhandari

Watch a video of Molly, highlighting some of the EDI work they have undertaken

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2.Ìý Sarah Guise award for Catalyst for Change (open to staff and students)

This award recognises a person or a team doing things differently by incorporating EDI values into the way they work, resulting in a positive shift in Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê culture.

Award Winners

Staff category: The Staff-Student Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (SSEDI) team at the Anna Freud Centre - led by Vanessa Puetz & Lili Ly, Faculty of Brain Sciences

Nominated by: Elizabeth Li

Watch a video of Vanessa and Lili highlighting some of the EDI work they have undertaken.

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Student category: Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Medical School student EDI committee co-chairs, Shem Braithwaite and Beth Hayes, Faculty of Medical Sciences

Nominated by: Jayne Kavanagh

Watch a video of Shem and BethÌýhighlighting some of the EDI work they have undertaken:

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3.ÌýSir Stephen Wall award: Inspiring Role Model (open to staff and students)

This award recognises a person who has taken the opportunity to engage with members of our community, speaking openly about their personal experiences in a visible forum that encourages and champions diversity and inclusion in a way that our students and staff can relate to.Ìý

Award Winners

Staff category: Ram Sabaratnam, Faculty of Laws

Nominated by: Shiva Riahi

Watch a video of RamÌýhighlighting some of the EDI work they have undertaken.

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Student category: Puja Mehta, Faculty of Medical Sciences

Nominated by: Connar Mawer

Watch a video of PujaÌýhighlighting some of the EDI work sheÌýhasÌýundertaken.

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4.ÌýChampioning Disability Inclusion (staff and students)

This award recognises an individual or team’s effort to champion disability inclusion into mainstream work, delivering a more inclusive experience for DisabledÌýstaff and students.

Award Winners

Staff category: Georgia Pavlopoulou, Faculty of Brain Sciences

Nominated by: Beverley Isibor

Watch a video of Georgia highlighting some of the EDI work they have undertaken.

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Student category: Connar Mawer, Faculty of Medical Sciences

Nominated by: Puja Mehta

Sadly, Connar was unable to attend the Inclusion Awards or participate in filming but shared the following words:

As the FMS PGR Representative and a member of the AdvancedHE Disabled Student Advisory Group, I take pride in advocating for students with learning differences both locally and nationally.Ìý

My Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê ChangeMakers team and I are currently developing a guide to assist students with learning differences transition to PGR, empowering them with knowledge about research culture and the Equality Act 2010.Ìý

Thank you to those who have supported these efforts!Ìý

5.ÌýAward for EDI Excellence

This award recognises a Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê department or division (including Professional Services) that has demonstrated the most EDI commitment and impact over the past yearÌý

Award Winner: The Bartlett Architecture Outreach Team, Faculty of the Built Environment

Nominated by: Sarah Rolph

Watch a video of Desart & AylaÌýhighlighting some of the EDI work they have undertaken.

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6.ÌýIntersectional Impact AwardÌý(staff only)

The Intersectional Impact award recognises a person, group or team who have made it a priority to integrate intersectional advocacy into their EDI work. They model best practice as they address the overlapping needs and identities of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê’s diverse community.ÌýÌý

Award Winner: Lo Marshall, Faculty of the Built Environment

Nominated by: Ben Campkin

Watch a video of LoÌýhighlighting some of the EDI work they have undertaken.

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Thank you

We'd also like to thank the following for making the evening really special:

The panel members for their time and consideration reviewing all of the nominations:

• Nick Achilleos, Professor of Planetary Physics and Vice-Dean of EDI (MAPS)
• Talia Bijwe-Alexander, Head of Intercultural Engagement
• Jayne Flowers, Equity and Inclusion Unit Coordinator, Students Union
• Zoe Gallant, Lecturer in Psychology, IOE
• Gerard Jones, Senior Alumni and Supporter Programme Manager
• Luther Mayers, Student Success Manager
• Sudax Murdan, Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy
• Seema Walker, Student Support and Wellbeing Coordinator
• Ben Watson, Head of Digital Accessibility

Other special mentions:

• Colleagues from Woburn House for their on hand support
• Phil Mason and Ash Johnson from Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê’s Media team
• The interpreters (Sharan Thind and Karen Houlihan) and the remote captioner
• Rianna Walcott and their fantastic band!
• Photographer / Image credits: Lucy Pope

Finally, a special thanks to the following EDI team members:

• Sonal Bharadva (lead organiser)
• AdwoaÌýDarko
• Kae Ohene-Yeboah
• Lizzy Allman
• Jo Peres
• Keisha Bruce
• Lacara Barnes-Rowe
• Linda Lam.

Missed the awards night?

Watch the Inclusion Awards 2024 ceremony:

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