Current Bloggers

Claire

I’m a student intern for the academic year of 2019/20. I’m a Psychology undergraduate undertaking a placement year working as a Research and Development officer within the EDI team, so my role involves research as well as managing social media and blogging! I’m originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland and am very interested in the fields of organisational and social psychology. I’m particularly interested in EDI as my sibling has a rare disability and I have closely witnessed the impact that a lack of inclusion can have on a person’s life. I’m also interested in issues of racial equality within the UK.

Past Bloggers

Candy

I’m the Director for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for the Faculty. I work two days a week as the Director, and the other three days I’m a scientist, working in animal cognition and welfare. I became more aware of EDI issues following the birth of my son, and a lot of my early work has been around gender equality and parenting issues. I’m passionate about changing mind-sets and cultures to create inclusive environments that benefit our Faculty, and the people who work and study here. I hope the blog helps our members see what we are doing and why EDI is important to all of us, and to exchange good practice with other universities.

Georgia

I’m one of the student Communications interns this summer in FMS EDI. I’ve just completed my undergraduate degree in History and plan to start a Masters in Cross-Cultural Communications and International Marketing in September, with the hopes of potentially working in this field. I was born in Cambridge and I enjoy travelling, swimming and spending time with my friends and family. Some EDI issues that are really important to me are gender equality in mental health and awareness of unseen disabilities.

Joe

I’m also currently doing an internship with the FMS EDI team as a Communications Officer. I’m a Politics and History undergraduate heading into my penultimate year at Newcastle. Upon graduation, I hope to obtain a place on the NHS graduate management scheme, or do diplomatic service with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. I’m originally from Sheffield and I enjoy watching and playing football and cricket. Some of the EDI issues that I’m most passionate about include racial equality, helping those from a poor social/financial background access higher education, and promoting awareness of mental health issues.

Ann

I’m the EDI Officer for the Faculty, working 2.5 days a week. As a part-time member of staff with caring responsibilities for a young daughter and elderly parent, I’ve had first-hand experience of some of the challenges facing many academic and non-academic staff in terms of work-life balance.  Previously, I had had roles at the University of Plymouth where I developed initiatives to help support library users with disabilities and also Durham University where I acted as Deputy Chair and Data Manager of a departmental Athena SWAN SAT. In my current role, I seek to ensure that all staff and students in the Faculty thrive and are able to fulfil their potential, regardless of their background.

Rachel

I did an internship with the Faculty’s EDI Team as part of my Ambitious Futures Programme, and set up the blog in 2017. I am currently on maternity leave, but will be a guest blogger when I’m back.