Two University of Westminster initiatives, Westminster Conversations and Black History Year, have been highlighted as examples of effective practice in a new report by Universities UK (UUK) which reviews the impact of their 2020 guidance on tackling racial harassment.
The report, titled Tackling Racial Harassment in Higher Education: Progress since 2020, reviews the progress that has been made by universities since the publication of UUK’s 2020 guidance on tackling racial harassment, and sets out how universities can improve further. The review included a survey of UUK members and focus groups of senior staff with responsibility for tackling racial harassment and university staff members and students with lived experience of racial harassment.
As the report outlines, the Westminster Conversations series, led by Professor Dibyesh Anand, Co-Chair of the University’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, is driven by a theme of challenging prejudices and celebrating diversities. It covers issues including sexism, ableism, queerphobia and all forms of racism. The series includes one-off seminars, talks, film discussions and day-long conferences to bring together students, colleagues, activists and the public to discuss challenges and opportunities of working intersectionally, without erasing specificities. Westminster Conversations is funded by the Quintin Hogg Trust (QHT) via the Community and Communities: Supporting and Celebrating Diversity at the University of Westminster programme.
The Black History Year programme, in its third year, is led by Dr Deborah Husbands, Co-Chair of the BME Network, and run by a diverse group of colleagues from across the University. Its premise is recognising the challenges of tackling racism as an ongoing effort while celebrating the successes of the University community and beyond.
The report also highlights Westminster’s active colleague networks including BME, Q+, Women of Westminster, Colleague Disability, and Faith, Spirituality and Belief.
Speaking about the importance of the projects, Professor Anand and Dr Husbands said: “While adopting a spirit of intersectionality, we cannot shy away from uncomfortable questions relating to systemic barriers that exist in higher education and beyond for those who are racially and ethnically minoritised. We are keen to work amongst ourselves, and with others, to build anti-racist universities. Awareness raising, honest conversations, serious questioning, interventions in policy making and implementation, and learning from each other are all integral to our journey.”
Watch Professor Anand and Dr Husbands outline the importance of the Westminster Conversations and Black History Year Initiatives on UUK’s YouTube channel.
Find out more about Westminster’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
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