If you\u2019ve ever held back because you were worried about saying the wrong thing? Or wanted to be supportive but weren\u2019t sure where to begin? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Allyship in Higher Education workshop series<\/strong> is designed with you in mind. This interactive workshop series offers practical tools and real-world guidance, specifically tailored to the realities of working in Higher Education \u2013 so you can build confidence, take meaningful action, and make a genuine difference in our workplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Book your place on the sessions here. <\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Session 1: Foundations of Anti-Racism and Allyship in Higher Education <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wednesday 3rd June, 13.00-15.00. Stephenson Building, Room 1.010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In our heads, we have an image of what sort of person we are, and how we\u2019d react if we witnessed something that wasn\u2019t right. Yet in the moment, there\u2019s a discrepancy between our image of ourselves, how we wanted to react, and what we actually do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are various barriers which cause this, including not knowing what to say or do, or simply feeling like you don\u2019t know enough about the issue to intervene or be an ally. This interactive session will explore these barriers and begin to equip you with the tools and knowledge to start your allyship and anti-racism journey. This workshop will guide you through: <\/p>\n\n\n\n About Alex <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alex Johl | LinkedIn<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Alex is a culture change professional who has built a career in creating a sense of belonging within Higher Education, currently working in EDI at the University of Birmingham. Alex uses innovative practices to create long term behavioural change in large organisations \u2013 seeing his role to activate people, not author policies. He is a qualified coach and mentor, regularly delivers talks on authenticity and values-led leadership and designs and delivers leadership training programmes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Energised by bringing communities together and finding ways to engage local people with large organisations, he is currently Co-Chair of its Race Equality Network, a voluntary network of almost 800 staff. During his tenure the Network was recognised at a national and international level, placing as the second-best network in both the British and European Diversity Awards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A key focus for Alex is amplifying and embedding the experiences of minority communities, whether it\u2019s creating large scale public events such as establishing the Benjamin Zephaniah Community Lecture and nationally leading South Asian Heritage Month programmes, or representing staff of colour to the most senior levels of the organisation and lobbying for change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Session 2: Influencing Your Sphere by Everyday Racism <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wednesday 1st July 10.00-12.00. Stephenson Building, Room 1.010<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This session is designed to explore how we can effectively drive change within our own spheres of influence. Over the course of the session, we will highlight the importance of identifying our core values and purpose in addressing injustice. You will be introduced to five key principles for influencing change and learn practical strategies for challenging injustice when it arises. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Find out more: https:\/\/www.everydayracism.co.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Anti-racist school website: https:\/\/www.antiracistschool.co.uk<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/files\/2026\/05\/Alex-Johl-2-1-1024x731.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/files\/2026\/05\/Natalie-Headshot-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n