There are a number of ways in which you can support, promote and celebrate equality, diversity and inclusivity. Everyone has a responsibility to get involved and engage in key initiatives and campaigns that are routinely organised inside and outside of the business. Equality, diversity and inclusivity requires visible allyship – so be proactive and get involved where you can.
Black History
Edge Hill University is committed to diversity, inclusivity and fostering a sense of belonging where all of its community are valued.
We celebrate and value the diversity of our staff and students and recognise that every individual brings an invaluable contribution to our community.
Our LGBTQI+ webpage allows you to explore: LGBTQI+ History Month, events, guides and training and resources such as podcasts, TV and film and arts and literature.
We have a duty of care towards our staff and students, and are committed to maintaining a professional working and learning environment that treats everyone with dignity and respect. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Ambassadors play a vital role in promoting and delivering this commitment. Our ambassadors act as change agents and promote the institutions principles of equality and diversity. Ambassadors will provide valuable insight and leadership to help create and maintain an inclusive culture where equality is practiced and diversity is valued in line with our EDI Strategy.
What is an EDI ambassador?
Ambassadors play a vital role in promoting our principles of equality and diversity at an institutional level and help to embed a culture of inclusion. They provide valuable insight and leadership to help create and maintain an inclusive culture where equality is practiced, and diversity is valued in line with our EDI Strategy.
As an Ambassador, you can put forward suggestions from colleagues for EDI activities which will work in unison to improve ‘an inclusive culture’ across the University ensuring that we are reaching and engaging all staff. You can contribute to various projects and act as a sounding board for the committee, to explore ways of improving everyone’s experience at Edge Hill.
What does the role involve?
The group will consist of a cross-section of colleagues from various departments of Edge Hill University. You will meet as a group and report to the EDI Steering Group.
As an ambassador you will:
gather ideas, issues and suggestions
be the voice of all colleagues, including management
share information about the work of the ambassadors and the EDI steering group
be a signpost for staff
promote yourself as an ambassador
support EDI campaigns or create your own.
Why is this role important?
Your role as an ambassador plays an important part in helping to create a better experience for our staff here at Edge Hill. Being an EDI Ambassador is an opportunity to help prioritise equality, diversity and inclusion, we want you to start conversations and get active in making sure everything we do is the best it can be, with equality at the fore.
This is your opportunity to make a real difference.
The main aims that we want our staff networks to achieve are to:
provide a safe space for discussion
help to raise awareness, share ideas, knowledge, situations and lessons
provide a source of support for individual staff who may be facing challenges
be a powerful voice and source of positive change, embedded across the whole university.
Our networks provide a source of support for individual staff who may be facing challenges but they also provide opportunity for conversation with friendly colleagues who can empathise with their experiences and provide practical advice and support. Each staff network is run by its members and they all work slightly differently with a range of events, meetings and learning opportunities. By joining a network you can make a difference to the working lives of everyone at the University.
Line Managers should be supportive of their staff joining staff networks – they are an integral part of our University community. If you have any concerns or are experiencing any problems in joining a staff network do contact us.
We welcome and support the creation of new staff networks, as the networks are self-run we cannot launch these ourselves but we can offer support and guidance in setting a network up. If you wish to join any of these staff networks or would like to have a discussion about creating one contact [email protected].
Explore our networks below:
LGBTQI+
Our LGBTQI+ staff network is a great opportunity for you to connect with Edge Hill’s LGBTI Community. The LGBTI staff network offers support, and hosts regular social and LGBTI focused events. Our LGBTI Staff network also partners with the student LGBTIQ society for events and community endeavours to enhance our Edge Hill community as well as the larger national LGBTI community.
Menopause network
All genders and ages are welcome to attend, whether you’re experiencing symptoms yourself and want to meet others in a similar situation or if you would like to understand more about the menopause.
Carers network
If you look after your partner, or a relative or friend who is ill or disabled, you are a Carer, even if you don’t think of yourself that way. Caring can be challenging and have a huge effect on your life and your plans. Our ‘Caring for Carers’ group aims to bring staff together in a friendly, supportive environment to listen, provide information, advice and support in finding new ways to manage at home and at work.
Working parents network
Our working parents network is for parents (which include anyone who is caring for a child, be it their own, adopted or fostered) to meet and exchange experiences, tips and to socialise.
Accessibility network
The staff accessibility network provides the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues, to develop and enhance our approaches and enable better experiences for all. The network meets quarterly throughout the year and provides a forum for staff to share good practice around accessibility and develop their understanding and experience in this important area.
If you would like to join the network or would like to talk through our work in this space please contact Andrew Billington or Linda Marron.
Neurodiversity network
The Network is a collective of interdisciplinary staff and students with lived experience of neurodiversity who endeavour to share resources, information and research about neurodiversity to the University community and beyond.
If you would like to be involved in a space for staff and students with lived experience of being neurodivergent, are interested in learning more, or understanding how to support the neurodivergent community through research or teaching, do get involved.
Staff disability network
The Staff Disability Network Group is a platform created to foster open dialogue, understanding, and community among colleagues. It offers an environment for sharing lived experiences, with a focus on those related to disabilities, though discussions aren’t limited to this subject. The group encourages inclusivity and understanding, where voices can be amplified and narratives can be shared.
Staff multicultural network
The network is an informal staff group that will meet three times a year to discuss ideas around inclusivity and diversity, developing a diverse events programme and any other topics that members feel they would like to discuss.
EDI ambassadors
Find out more about our EDI ambassadors and the work that they do below.
Aisling Barker – Human Resources
Hi there, I’m Aisling. I’ve been working at Edge Hill University for 16 years. I am the External Charters Lead. Recently, I’ve taken on a new role as an EDI ambassador. Our main goal as EDI ambassadors is to provide support to staff who want help with EDI-related issues. We also promote awareness on various topics such as Black History Month, and create a safe space for people to share their thoughts and stories. Personally, I am a mother of two young children and work part-time. I am particularly passionate about supporting mothers who are returning to work after a break, whether it’s a few months or many years.
Cariss Rawsthorne – FAS Psychology
Hello, I’m Cariss and I work in the Psychology Administration team. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is important to me, and I am to create a safe space for all students and staff. I am passionate about raising awareness around EDI topics and celebrating diversity.
Jasmine Morgan – FAS Biology
Taegan Jones Skinner – Student Services
Hello! My name is Taegan. I’m a Student Support Officer on the Student Support Team within Student Services at Edge Hill. Our team provides on course support to all students, particularly student groups underrepresented in Higher Education. Prior to joining Edge Hill two years ago, I worked in other educational settings in both student support and teaching roles. My professional roles have continuously involved supporting students reach their full potential, removing barriers to learning and attainment, and increasing cultural capital. I am extremely passionate about understanding students’ individual needs and personalising my approach to help them achieve their goals.
Jennifer Giblin – FAS Law, Criminology and Policing
Jennifer’s research area is in international law, specifically the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. She completed her undergraduate in law before undertaking a masters (LLM) in Public International Law, followed by a PhD which examined International Law, Intervention and UN Peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
She is an Early Career Researcher and was the first in her family to attend university, as a result, during her time both studying and working in higher education, she has consistently supported widening participation initiatives and the EDI agenda. She feels strongly about breaking down barriers and supporting individuals, particularly women, to reach their full potential.
Rebecca Mundy – Corporate Communications
I’m a Communications Officer working in the Corporate Communications team and I’ve been at Edge Hill for nearly four years. Highlighting EDI-related activities, initiatives, research etc., is a priority for our team (I am the Communications Officer with lead responsibility for this area) as well as a passion for me personally. I previously worked as a press officer in the arts, and prior to that as a journalist across North Wales, so I love finding a good story. I enjoy working with colleagues at Edge Hill to highlight the amazing things we have going on across campus with a variety of different audiences including prospective students, stakeholders, press and the general public. I’m excited to see how I can help highlight the progress we are making in relation to EDI as I genuinely believe we are all entitled to the same access to education.
Helen Wall – FAS Psychology
Hi, I’m Helen and have been working at Edge Hill University for 11 years in the Department of Psychology. I am currently a Senior Lecturer in the department and my research expertise lies in the area of Personality and Individual Differences with a particular focus on personalised interventions geared to supporting wellbeing. I am a single mum and a proud member of the LGBTQI+ community. I am also the EDI lead within the Department of Psychology and chair the Departmental Athena Swan steering group. I am incredibly passionate about EDI and wellbeing and proud to be part of the EDI journey within Edge Hill.
Niroshan Ramachandran – FAS Law, Criminology and Policing
Niroshan is a Lecturer in Criminology at the School of Law, Criminology and Policing. Before his teaching tenure at Edge Hill University, he worked with internally displaced people, refugee returnees and deported migrants in Sri Lanka. His research is primarily focused on social protection for asylum seekers and refugees in host countries. He became an EDI ambassador because, as a Sri Lankan immigrant, he understands the need for equality, diversity and inclusion in any context. He is actively promoting EDI through inclusive practices inside and outside of the classroom.
