University of Westminster launches Anti-Racism Network for London Higher Education

The Anti-Racism Network is a collective initiative to encourage information sharing among race networks within London universities in order to learn from successes and challenges, share information and identify opportunities for collaboration to have a greater impact.

The network, consisting of 12 London universities, had its inaugural meeting on Monday 26 April 2021 and has since been sharing information on the progress and challenges experienced by each network. The initiative was developed by Dr Deborah Husbands and Professor Dibyesh Anand, Co-chairs of the University of Westminster’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Colleague Network.

The event on 9 June commenced with a welcome from Professor Anand and Dr Husbands, who took the audience on a journey of the network’s beginnings and went on to explain the momentous growth it had achieved in membership, influence and impact across the institution, working intersectionally to champion colleague and student needs. The co-chairs also described the challenges alongside the successes, and an opportunity was also provided for external colleagues to provide feedback about the work of their networks.

Also in attendance was Westminster’s Vice-Chancellor and President Dr Peter Bonfield who discussed the University’s excitement about the initiative and plans to broaden its reach. The event also provided ample opportunity for guests to network and discuss their views on the strengths and areas for improvement within their institutions.

Dr Deborah Husbands, a lead organiser of the event set the context: "With the recognition that colleague networks are key to universities becoming anti-racist, the University of Westminster's initiative to bring together race networks from across higher education in London is a significant step. We were pleased to host an event for universities that have expressed interest in being part of this collaboration. For us at Westminster, the enthusiastic support of our own Vice-Chancellor, Dr Peter Bonfield, gives further impetus to the BME Network to establish this network as an important voice in the sector to challenge intersectional inequalities and improve experiences for all. I am excited for what the future holds for this initiative.”

Professor Dibyesh Anand, a Co-host of the event, said: “The only way to promote comprehensive antiracism work is to recognise that institutions cannot operate in silos. Universities, in general, are not well known for cooperating with each other; we want to change that. The network is based on hope that by sharing good practices, stories of lived experience, and progress made in each of our workplace, we would carry our journey toward an anti-racist university sector.”

Michelle Moroney, who chairs St George’s University Race and Ethnicity Staff Network said: “It was a delight to speak candidly about the challenges we've experienced and to find out about the amazing work that has occurred because of the BME Network at Westminster. The event really showed me the power of coming together as a collective, and I eagerly await the next session!”

Presentations were given by colleagues of St George’s University about the ongoing work of their Race and Ethnicity Staff Network in conducting reviews on its existing processes, improving diversity on recruitment panels and making contributions to the university’s organisational strategy.

Sheetal Kavia, who chairs St George’s University’s Race and Ethnicity Staff Network, said of the event: “Thank you to Westminster University for hosting a great event! It was fantastic to be part of the conversations. We were forward thinking about what we still need to do and celebrated the successes we have achieved, too. This meeting really showed how we can still learn from one another on several projects and initiatives. Also, it was great to hear from Peter, Westminster's VC on how he wants to ‘make noise across London’ and will do his bit to support us by getting in touch with other VCs in London. I can't wait to talk to everyone again - this has definitely energised me again!”

If you are involved with a BME, anti-racist or a Race-Ethnicity colleague network at a London-based higher education institution and want to get involved, please email [email protected].