In this instalment of our blog series on projects within the University that have been supported by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Fund (EDIF), I spoke to Dr Joanna Matthan and Agne Krisciunaite about their project: Highlighting the Under-Highlighted.
The main aim of this project is to highlight and celebrate the unsung staff and students who have helped champion the values of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, those who perhaps haven’t received the full recognition they deserve for their invaluable work surrounding EDI. This will be done through a series of high-profile vlogs.
The project, which received £3,000 from the EDIF, works by allowing staff and students to nominate someone who has shown commitment and passion for the EDI agenda. Those nominated (either by others or by self-nomination) will be invited to discuss their work as part of a vlog, which will be run as a weekly feature across the NU homepage and through University social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter.
There have currently been 3 ‘unsung heroes’ who have taken part in the project and filmed vlogs. There are plans to post these videos throughout the autumn term, with a video every two weeks.
Agne Krisciunaite, a key member of the team who helped set up the project itself, gave me some valuable insight into the work currently going into Highlighting the Under-Highlighted: “overall, as a member of the team, I can say that this so far has been a very enjoyable experience, meeting people from different backgrounds and different roles across campus. One could never imagine what an interesting story most of the staff have to tell!”
Make sure to keep an eye out for the vlogs that will be posted on both the NU homepage and through Twitter. If you would like to nominate someone who you feel needs recognition for the valuable work they’re doing, or someone who symbolises the values of EDI, make sure to send your nomination details to Joanna Matthan or Agne Krisciunaite.
Alternatively, if you think you’ve come up with an idea for an EDIF project to promote engagement with the EDI agenda at the University, click here to find out more about EDIF, or email us at FMS.Diversity@ncl.ac.uk before the call closes on the 23rd November!