REN significantly increased EDI at the Uni of Birmingham through numerous activities, growing by over 25% in 12 months, to over 630 staff and providing representation and a sense of belonging for staff of colour at all levels.
REN’s focus is on community building, professional development, and staff representation.
We delivered the University’s first South Asian Heritage Month to promote awareness of South Asian cultures and contributions. Events included:
Film screenings
Professional development talks
Curated resource hub and reading lists
Cultural showcase
Rakshabandhan festival
Photo exhibition
The photo exhibition provided a safe space for staff to share heritage stories. Over 1000 staff viewed the exhibition and feedback emphasised the emotional impact and empowerment, enhancing community as many White staff found commonalities with their family histories.
The Cultural Showcase, attended by over 130 staff, featured shared clothing, jewellery, and artwork. It included a Qur’an in the City project and blessings from Brahma sisters, highlighting the intersectionality of culture and faith.
Delivered UoB’s largest Black History Month to inspire and engage staff, featuring:
Film screenings and panel discussions on films relevant to Black cultures
Staff social and networking events
Campus walks exploring hidden Black histories of our workplace
Professional development talks with Black colleagues, both internally and in partnership with other universities
Collaborated with Benjamin Zephaniah’s family to celebrate his impact on people of colour. The event included personal testimonials, spoken word, and academic analysis. REN subsequently established an annual lecture in his name with George the Poet as our first speaker.
REN’s first Ramadan programme aimed to educate and inspire colleagues through:
My Hijab and I: Staff shared their Hijab journeys, with over 70 attendees from Birmingham and Dubai campuses praising it as the best event at the University.
Fast For a Day: 12 staff fasted to understand Muslim colleagues’ experiences, sharing their reflections University-wide.
Not Even Water?!: Information sessions provided a safe space to learn about Ramadan and practical support for colleagues.
Created a register for ethnically balanced interview panels with HR and clear guidance for hiring managers. Partnered with the University’s Coaching Academy to establish a coaching branch specifically for staff of colour.
Advocated with the Directorate for EDI for greater recognition for committee members, addressing the ethnicity pay gap.
Evidencing our success and feedback, REN successfully lobbied for guaranteed annual funding from the University for all networks, where no budget previously existed.
During the Race Riots, supported members and successfully lobbied University leadership to condemn the rioters and reaffirm the community’s value.
Collaborated with internal comms to share personal stories about members’ faith and cultural events and highlighting staff achievements like winning national awards and becoming the UK’s youngest professor.
REN conducted a survey and 93% of respondents reported a positive/very positive impact on their staff experience, and 100% recommend REN events to colleagues, attend future REN activities, and rate REN events as Excellent or Good.
Feedback:
Working in a department in which I am the only Black member of staff can feel isolating at times. Being able to connect with members of the Race Equality Network makes me feel supported.
REN has made the university feel like a safe and inclusive space. I have to say in all the years I’ve been here, this is the BEST BHM! I’ve attended so many things and found them so uplifting, inspiring and educational
…it feels so positive to go into a space where know each other understands, and can be ourselves
REN have been absolutely incredible since I’ve joined and I have nothing but complete praise for the committee – the dedication they display and enthusiasm for every single event, making sure every member of staff has a safe space to authentically be themselves is so special. I can’t thank them enough for supporting me in sharing my lived experience and stories as a member of staff from a racial minority background.
I have never felt more connected with my colleagues/staff members in my 2 years of working here than I felt at the South Asian Cultural Showcase. Events like this make me realise that we do matter and that we are seen.
I found it boosted my confidence and I felt more at home… It’s the first time I felt we mattered and are recognised…it means so much to me as a minority member of UoB.
There have been many occasions over this year where myself and other members of staff have been too scared to speak up about events which has impacted out of fear that we’d be perceived as too ‘difficult’. REN is a fantastic mouthpiece for our legitimate concerns.
