As I am

Tomilola Adedewe

Student

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I have always loved spending time with my family and friends. This is because I love creating experiences with people who are always present in my life. I also love being busy and staying organised, as it helps me feel active and in control of what happens around me.

Why Man Met University?

I am at MMU because I wanted to go to a diverse university where I would meet many other black students. Also, MMU is one of the few nearby universities that offer my course – Business Technology.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

Something I love about being from the tribe Yoruba, one of many tribes in Nigeria, is the respect and loyalty we have with one another. I admire this about my tribe because such qualities are becoming more difficult to find in people today. Being brought up in a home where this is a priority makes me feel privileged and fortunate.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your education?

Education has always been something I’ve been raised to believe in, so having this understanding growing up that education is important has made me overcome the challenges and stresses that come with going to university. Therefore, bringing my whole self to my education is not always easy, but I am driven by the end goal that I will have a degree in hand and much gathered knowledge and experience.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

Something I would find very interesting is for the University to host a culture day. This would be an amazing opportunity for us to see how diverse the University is and a great way for students to learn more about each other’s ethnic backgrounds in a safe and inclusive environment.

What are you most proud of?

I am proud of how I have not let my personal challenges and situations interfere with me achieving the grades I want. This makes me very happy because I have been in many dilemmas, whereby I have the right to say ‘I cannot take this assignment on this block’ or that I must submit late. However, I have not done this because, no matter the dilemma, I remind myself that the future Tomi will thank me later for pulling through.

Amuda Agneswaran

Lecturer

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am Amuda, a Lecturer in Psychology since October 2018. My journey at MMU started in 2015 when I came to Manchester from Mumbai, India to pursue my PhD. My name is of Tamil origin and means ‘Goddess of prosperity.’ I love the simple things in life, such as good food, dancing, sightseeing, and spending time with friends or with myself! I am an avid lover of Indian films and music and have trained for 12 years in Indian classical music. I speak five languages. My mother has been an influential figure in my life. Interestingly, most of the women from my maternal side are teachers.

What inspires you within your role?

What I really like about my role is that it is unique, not a ‘typical desk job.’ I have been entrusted with varied leadership roles such as Unit Leader, Admissions Lead, and Assessments’ support. Seeing my HOD and senior colleagues believe in me and give me such career progressing opportunities has inspired me to rise to the challenge and prove myself. My job has played a crucial role in developing my identity and purpose for life.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

I have always been surrounded with people from varied communities and religions. People are surprised when I say that I enjoy celebrating Christmas as much as I do Diwali! That is what makes me proud of being an Indian. I love that I celebrate this diversity, through food, festivals, and speaking multiple languages. As the daughter of an Indian classical dancer, I have grown up hearing the beats of classical music and seeing colourful costumes. These dance forms are part of our rich culture, which makes me proud. The close family bonds, small aspects about our lifestyle and sense of community are important. I carry this with me always, even when I am in a foreign land.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your work?

To answer in one word, it is colourful! Bringing my whole self means having the platform to be myself in every sense. My dressing style is the way I express my individuality to the world. Of course, there is the unmissable Indian accent! I find it enjoyable to exchange stories of common cultural practices with friends/colleagues, both local and international. When I teach, I aim to expose my students to the world beyond their own and introduce them to practices and biases that might be similar or dissimilar to their own. Being from another culture is definitely advantageous for that.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

Campaigns like this one will showcase our staff achievements and hopefully, inspire future BAME students to pursue University. I like that within Faculty of Health and Education, the Pro-VC Alison Chambers provides a background of different festivals and wishes staff in her newsletters. I recently watched a video on how Netflix Netherlands prepares a relocation/new employee guide that is tailored to the individual’s ethnicity (alongside general information). For eg., details on Indian grocery shops or hair salons for Black employees etc. Such a guide would have really helped an international employee like me, who was new to Manchester, feel at home.

What are you most proud of?

I am proud of my journey and my dual identity. I will always be an Indian at heart. I am grateful to work with strong, inspiring women, who are my colleagues, mentors, and friends. They challenge and motivate me in the best way. My work atmosphere gives me positive vibes, which is very important to me as it makes me want to be here. I am glad to have found a place for myself and feel a sense of belonging.

Joseph Asamoah

Lecturer

Tell me a little bit about yourself

My father is Ghanian, and my mother is Portuguese-Saotomean, so I’m a mix. I am an up-and-coming lecturer who is interested in teaching and explaining concepts to students. I’m interested in things related to occurrences in the world. I’m a doctorate degree holder and have a passion for literature, politics, and science.

What inspires you within your role?

Seeing students being happy. Seeing the faces of students when they are taught and really appreciate and understand what you are teaching. When they don't understand, I can help them understand specific topics or subject matters by explaining them. This drives me to do more research and preparation, and this really motivates me within my role.

What is something about your culture or heritage that you love?

There are distinctive parts to always respect your elders and always stay humble.

What does it look like to bring your whole self into work?

I think you come to work in a professional capacity. You know what you’re supposed to do, and you try to do your work to the best of your ability. As to whether your culture or diverse background comes into play is not something I’ve really thought about or questioned in its entirety if I’m honest. I don’t think me being myself is driven by my personal identity. It’s more driven by my personal drive to work professionally.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their BAME students?

Being someone of African descent, I think you could perhaps project the African voice by inviting lecturers or scholars to deliver a talk about the African perspective. Avoiding topics which are related to slavery, colonialism, or underdevelopment is important because it always evokes negative connotations. However, it would be more appealing to discuss issues related to progressions made in the African sub-continent. In terms of development, things that would propagate blackness in a more positive light. Inviting students and academics to these discussions could help to enlighten others and offer a different perspective.

What are you most proud of?

I would say I’m most proud of my two beautiful children and I love to see them grow. You try to live your life as an inspiration to them and you want them to always look up to you as a role model.

Farina Cahm

Assistant Careers Adviser

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I’m a 48-year-old British born Pakistani (some may consider of mixed heritage as my Mum was from Bangalore, South India and my dad from Lahore, Pakistan) I was born and brought up in Manchester. After moving away to study and live, I’m settled in Warrington, living with my husband and daughter. I have kept at the heart of the way I live my life, the values of my childhood, being a proud Pakistani Muslim and engaging with my peers and friends - even if they have had a different upbringing or cultural experience to me. I like to consider myself a good ambassador of multiculturalism.

What inspires you within your role?

Being able to support students and faculty colleagues and, hopefully, be a small, positive part of a student’s career journey. I love being part of a university and Careers Service that offers so many diverse opportunities for all students. Also, being in a supportive team who are open, enthusiastic, and willing to share ideas to support colleagues and students

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

The love of food and sharing that love. To me, the month of Ramadan in particular (which has become a more symbolic and an important month for me in recent years) and (pre Covid) being able to invite friends and family to the iftar meal to break the fast either in my home or in a mosque setting. Sharing food hopefully helps to promote community cohesion, conversation and understanding. I also love the amazing Henna art that often aligns with a lot of our cultural celebrations, such as weddings.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your work?

A positive enthusiastic member of staff who is open to sharing and celebrating my diversity, life experiences and individuality with staff and students, and, in so doing hopefully encouraging others to do the same.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

By showcasing their work and contributions to the university whether big or small. From acknowledging the small wins and applauding the big wins too. MMU is a diverse exciting university where all students and staff should feel like they belong. Open conversations about how to make the university a safe cohesive unit will hopefully work if we are open to talking together, and having conversations where we can appreciate and acknowledge our differences as individuals, whilst working together to promote a cohesive community in the university.

What are you most proud of?

Aside from becoming a mother, which was for a landmark moment in my life, I properly learnt to swim aged 40. A couple of years later, I completed my first ever triathlon. I then had my story and my journey featured on the British Triathlon website. I was super proud of the moment I crossed the finish line, and the article on the website was just the icing on the cake.

Angie Cooke

Research Project Coordinator

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I’m Angie, and my ethnic heritage is Aruban and Grenadian. I’m originally from Huddersfield, and I’ve lived in Manchester since I left home aged 20 to attend university at Salford and Bolton. I have a degree in Business Administration. I love music (especially by Manchester bands from the 1970s-90s), vegan food, and finding bargains in vintage emporiums and charity shops.

What inspires you within your role?

I’m a member of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group for my directorate, and I hope to be able to inspire my colleagues by demonstrating that as a member of the black community I’m not a mere stereotype, and also help to bring about change.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

How quietly determined, dignified and noble the Afro Caribbean community is, particularly in the face of great adversity, severe disadvantage and micro-aggressions on a daily basis.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your work?

It seems like such a little thing but it makes a big difference, which is being able to have my hair in its natural form (I have what I call an Afro Quiff). I stopped using chemical straighteners many years ago. My hair style should not be judged as a reflection of my capability or professionalism in the workplace.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

Doing more to ensure that the university’s Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority population is considered equally and fairly in comparison to traditionally more advantaged and therefore higher achieving groups when it comes recruitment, retention and progression (staff), and grading of degrees at a higher level (students).

What are you most proud of?

How far I’ve come personally, despite being dismissed and written off from a very early age.

Shuab Gamote

Project Manager at the Student Union

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am a final year student in Accounting and Finance and the Project Manager for the BAME Ambassador Project at Manchester Metropolitan University Students’ Union. Since joining the university as a student in 2018, I have been actively involved in University activities, from running for Students’ Union President to being a spokesperson for First Generation students. My interests range from being a national ambassador for mentoring with One Million Mentors to local community work with disadvantaged high schools and local community led organisations.

What inspires you within your role?

I have been incredibly fortunate to have incredibly inspiring people around me, which has allowed me to make the most of the opportunities given to me. I want all students to have the same confidence to say yes to opportunities and strive to be the greatest versions of themselves.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

Somaliland is all about family this can be as small as the nuclear family or as big as your entire city. Being family in my culture is not just a title but a responsibility to take care and do good by one another and the right to expect the same back.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your work?

Bringing my whole self to work is being the positive outgoing person I am unapologetically, not feeling weird about saying good morning to every colleague that I pass. Bringing my whole self to work is being proud of the work that I do, the person that I am and the organisation I work for.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

Celebrating MMU BAME Staff is celebrating staff for who they are and what they believe, so having more celebrations around different cultural events and being aware of difficulties that staff may have around this busy time in their lives.

What are you most proud of?

On a professional level I am most proud of how our team of BAME student staff excelled during the pandemic and made sure that the voices of BAME students are being heard. On a more personal level I am incredibly proud of how I dealt with the pressures of working full time and studying full time in my final year at university.

Yahya Goga

Senior Lecturer

Tell us a little bit about yourself

My parents are originally born and raised in India and moved to the UK. I’m the first generation born here. I actually grew up here and came to MMU as a student. I then went straight into education and taught in sixth form colleges for up to 12 years before making the jump into HE (higher education). I was born in Gloucester. A lot the families moved from India to Gloucester, as there was a lot of work there. I was born there and later moved to Manchester. We have a massive community; and most of my family is here.

What inspires you within your role?

Students. Their progress and wellbeing and helping them move on to the next stage in their education and journey.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

The food, the language. I also love the humbleness, simplicity and the quality that some people have come from.

We very rarely speak our home language now because the kids speak English more. Mum and Dad speak English with my children and my grandma is here from India. I can talk to her, but I can’t express myself and articulate myself well. I can communicate in 4 languages, some better than others.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your work?

My dress is my dress outside of work, I don’t change. I suppose I do talk about my cultural self where applicable, and I encourage others to talk about theirs. I do like to know about where people are from and things about their culture. I think it has to be natural and organic.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

Sometimes I think less is more. I think less looks like, that we’re represented, we’re part of the organisation MMU, we’re visible and just seeing people together; someone sitting with someone, someone sitting with someone else - it's just natural and it’s just organic.

I think one thing I’ve always been wary about is this whole tick box exercise. Someone gets something because of their ethnic background. It could be gender, ethnic background or religion. I think if it's pushed in people faces too much then it sometimes becomes central.

I’ve had comments in the past where white colleagues have said ‘If I got something, X ticks a box, you’ve got it because you fit their diversity criteria which they need to show’ And I suppose sometimes people can be resentful if there’s too much on that side.

I think students appreciate that. I do thinks it’s needed but I also think that getting the right staff in the classrooms and around university is important as well. The real interactions that students have on their own or in lectures halls or support staff. I think that’s really important

What are you most proud of?

I don’t know. I suppose that I’m proud that I’ve been a part of education since 2005. That’s 17 years. I suppose just being a part of someone’s life and contributing to someone’s life. I never wanted to sit in an office, be in a big company and earn loads of money, but if I can make a small difference in someone’s life, I suppose that, for me, is the most important thing - having a positive impact on someone’s life.

Lolita Hall

Student

Tell us a little bit about yourself

In the last four years, I moved back to my hometown of Manchester to pursue a career in teaching. I have previously worked as a teaching assistant, with most of my experience being within the early years sector. I am a parent to my 7 year old son, as well as a parent governor. Since starting the course, I took on the opportunity to lead the Black and Asian student network for the faculty of health and education, and have since built a network of great relationships with students and staff.

Why Man Met University?

I moved back to Manchester to pursue my career, so Man Met was always a choice. After some research, I decided to choose Man Met because of the school direct course it offered. I liked that there was a partnership with the Manchester Schools Alliance, and that most of my experience would be classroom based, which was what I was used to and comfortable with. I also knew the area well and love the location of the Brooks building.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

I love that I have a mixed Polish and Jamaican heritage. I love the contrast of the two cultures and the different experiences I have when visiting them both. I love the music and dance culture of Jamaica and love the many traditions of the Polish culture.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your education?

For me it is everything. I want children to feel comfortable through expressing themselves and feeling empowered. I think this is achieved when modelled. Being a non-white teacher and representing ‘people of colour’ is important. Bringing my whole self means talking about my experiences and being listened to, in addition to using my voice, and having respectful and meaningful conversations with people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of finding my voice and continuing to grow in confidence to use it. I am proud of raising my son alongside my other commitments and my resilience in developing myself, personally and professionally.

Olamide Jogunola

Lecturer

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am a Lecturer in Cyber Security/Smart grid at the Department of Computing and Mathematics.

What inspires you within your role?

My current role involves teaching and research. In terms of teaching, I love being able to support students and faculty colleagues and hopefully be a positive, small part of a student’s career journey. In terms of research, I enjoy the never ending cycle of finding solutions to a problem, getting published. I also find it rewarding to have the opportunity to travel across the world presenting research results at conferences, project meetings, and as a Keynote speaker. One more thing that inspires me within my role is being in a supportive team who is open, enthusiastic, and willing to share ideas, supporting colleagues and students

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

I love the sense of community, the art of sharing, the food, music, and parties (weddings in particular).

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your work?

To bring my whole self to work means to be a positive, friendly, and enthusiastic faculty member who is open to sharing and celebrating my uniqueness, life experiences and individuality with all staff and students. In doing so, hopefully I can encourage others to do the same and set a good example to follow.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

By celebrating every win and highlighting every major contribution.

What are you most proud of?

My work ethics and my family.

Sheri Lawal

Careers Adviser

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Hi everyone! I’m Sheri Lawal and I’ve recently joined MMU as a new Careers Adviser for the Science & Engineering team. My previous roles have centred around providing careers information, advice and guidance in various educational settings (mainly to university, college and school-aged students). In my spare time, it is my pleasure to volunteer as a mentor and I also love travelling, photography and hiking.

What inspires you within your role?

I spent most of my early career working to increase the aspirations of young people and demystify university. I now work in careers and employability, and I am passionate empowering students to make the best professional and personal choices for them.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

I love to embrace the food and music of course! But more importantly I love the belly laughs, sense of belonging and an unspoken understanding we have as a community.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your work?

For me it is when my passion, values and happiness align. I bring my “whole self to work” when the things that are important to me (values) and me being comfortable and happy in the workplace (wellbeing) come together.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

Shine a light on the talent, ideas, contributions of BAME staff and students. Also provided safe spaces to share lived experiences and forge connections (with the wider community)

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my family and our unyielding resilience through challenging times.

Salma Mehboob

Programme Support Tutor

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I work in the Department of Psychology as a Programme Support Tutor. Prior to this, I was a teacher working in schools and a sixth form. I have always been in education - either studying or working in the area! Currently, I work with MSc students, supporting them in a variety of roles. I also support teaching staff on various units, as well as co-chair for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team. I do wear a lot of hats (or hijabs!), but I love that my job allows room for this. Outside of work, I have many interests and projects. I am involved in currently recording a series of podcasts and am constantly on the go - a real ball of energy!

What inspires you within your role?

The challenge of the job itself. Every day is unpredictable, and I thrive off this as it means I am learning new information every day! Also, knowing that I can help make meaningful decisions that ensure students can progress and do well in their studies. I have a natural curiosity and imagination, and my role provides me with the freedom to use this in a way to help students and staff. This brings a huge sense of achievement for me.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

I love that I can embrace many cultures and do not aspire to follow a unidimensional culture because they all align to my core values and beliefs. Having said that, I appreciate the customs and the traditions, especially ones connected to the various cultures I am surrounded by and immerse myself in. For example, I love the arts, music and theatre that South Asian culture has contributed to the world. Further to this, I love the community I am surrounded by. They are a great source of social connection and sense of belonging and this is especially important for all kinds of support, growth, and learning from one another.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your work?

Being able to bring all the dimensions of my personality and character that make me who I am and matter to me. Not having to hide any part of who I am that might be perceived as ‘different’ by others. Being accepted for me ‘Salma’ who is seen as a 3-dimensional human

being rather than ‘Asian Muslim who wears a hijab’. I am blessed that I can bring my whole self to work and be confident in presenting my own self, authentically to others.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

We need a university-wide collaboration so that people of colour can meet others and arrange events or festivals that people might share to develop a sense of belonging. For example, an Eid celebration event for all staff (not just departmental events). I just don’t meet anyone of similar heritage from other departments, but meeting people whose heritage might be like mine really does create a sense of connection. I recently have started working with another Asian woman from the faculty and it’s lovely to connect in so many ways, sharing lots of ideas that we can implement on a faculty level.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of being able to adapt and grow at all stages of my life, especially the last 5 years in all areas of my life - physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. I should write a book!

Labeeba Miah

Student

Tell us a little bit about yourself

Hello, my name is Labeeba. I'm 22 years old and a final year Philosophy student at Man Met. I really enjoy Ancient Greek Philosophy as well as Eastern Philosophy through my own research. Through the university, I’m a part of the British Asian Society, which has really helped me find a home at university. Outside of my studies I enjoy listening to all types of music, and I love editing pictures and videos. In addition to this, I adore fashion as it allows me to express myself. I also love socialising through exploring new locations and interests, such as cuisines from different cultures.

Why Man Met University?

I initially chose to attend Man Met as it was most ideal for me (only being a 20-minute drive away). However, after attending Man Met for 4 years now, I can wholeheartedly say that it has been one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life. The university has not only helped me grow academically and career wise, but it has helped me develop and blossom into a confident woman.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

My country was founded on the principal idea of freedom and it's something I carry with me wherever I go. Bangladesh is a relatively young country (being only 51 years old), but it fought with great courage for its independence, and, for this reason, I have something to be proud of everyday.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your education?

To bring my whole self to my education looks like holding nothing back and being my most authentic self. This means not being afraid to ask questions when I don’t understand something and raising concerns, if there are any.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

Man Met can better celebrate their BAME staff and students by emphasising the importance of their representation. Representation is especially important, and this is what is currently lacking at the university. If young BAME students, especially those interested in Liberal Arts subjects, are shown others who are either students or tutors of said subjects, they are more likely to pursue those subjects.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the academic I have become, and not just for myself - I’m proud of the progress I have made for other young BAME women who are interested in the Humanities. I am also striving to bring more BAME academics, more voices and more representation along with me.

Dr Manju C Pallam

Senior Lecturer

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am a senior lecturer who is extremely interested and passionate about the inclusion and equality agenda. I am the international lead for the department.

What inspires you within your role?

The golden memories that I create for students and myself.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

Highlight the journeys of prominent BME leaders in university, showcase their stories., offer mentorship from them, and provide an opportunity to network with them and connect with them.

What are you most proud of?

Being myself, as a human, Dr Manju C Pallam.

Mona Patel

Equality & Diversity Specialist

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am a proud British-Indian, disabled woman who is also a daughter, partner, parent, friend, Humanist and activist.

I was born in Salford in the 70s to first generation immigrants from Gujarat, India. My parents worked incredibly hard to build a good future for me. Like others, my father was invited to England by the Labour government for his skills in textiles/weave - he became a supervisor in a Salford cotton mill. My Hindu mother worked in manual labour. We lived in a terraced house in an all-white deprived area. We were a minority when overt prejudice and racism was rife in the era of Enoch Powell. We suffered discrimination for just being ‘different’. Thankfully, we encountered good people too who made us feel part of a warm community. If you’ve ever watched the film, ‘East is East’, well, that pretty much sums up my childhood!

It’s, no wonder I am now an Equality & Diversity Specialist at Manchester Metropolitan University and Patient Advocacy Program Manager for rare disease (GNEM) patients around the world.

What inspires you within your role?

Being able to advance equality, diversity and inclusivity is the most rewarding part of my work - knowing that we are having a direct and positive impact on the lives of people at Manchester Met (and maybe even beyond), drives me. Through my work and voluntary work, I have a purpose and meaning – this is my motivation.

My family and friends, my team/colleagues, and those who we serve are all compassionate, hard-working, resourceful and solution-focused – they are my inspiration.

Being given the position to be able to advocate for others is a huge responsibility that I feel very honoured to be entrusted with.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

My heritage enriches my life. However, I probably didn’t appreciate my heritage as much when I was younger. We couldn’t afford a family break in the school holidays. My parents used to send money back to their families, and they would save up what little they had to visit our extended family in India every four years. I don’t feel resentful about this because these visits were educational. Things have progressed now, but back then, I witnessed India's social, economic and environmental landscape and I also lived in very humbling conditions. These holidays taught me to be grateful and about humility. I also learned to speak additional languages. At the end of each long trip, I wouldn’t want to leave, because even with so little, everyone was so loving and generous. This is why I love travelling and experiencing new cultures.

I truly love my culture – it is so vibrant, spiritual, compassionate and inclusive. I also love the tangible elements such as the delicious cuisine, beautiful textiles/attire, exquisite architecture, diverse languages, and traditions. I am fortunate to be able to learn from and take the best from all the cultures that surround me and enjoy the fusion. I’m also super proud of the enormous contributions made by British Indians to the British culture.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your work?

Bringing our whole selves to work means being mindful that we’re all vulnerable and deserve to be understood and accepted. Its important that people can be real and not feel the need to conform to stereotypes as to what makes them seem ‘professional’, ‘successful’ or ‘competent’. As long as people are respectful, we should encourage people to be themselves and embrace their difference, otherwise wouldn’t the workplace be a boring place?!

Establishing an environment that feels safe, welcoming and inclusive, makes everybody feel they can be genuine. When we foster an atmosphere like this, it engages, enables and empowers people so that they can thrive. When our community thrive, then our whole organisation prospers. I’m reminded of a beautifully fitting quote by the author, Nikki Banas:

“In order to flourish, it's important that we have a sense of purpose where we can be our authentic selves..."Because it is only when we are all shining our own unique lights can we light up the entire night sky."

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

I’m proud to be a member of a modern, diverse and progressive University. Over the 22 years of working at Manchester Met, I have seen some significant developments in terms of ED&I. However, our work is not done.

I have enjoyed working with colleagues to raise greater awareness of ethnically diverse issues, to educate, to celebrate and bring people closer together in the workplace. It’s reassuring to see that the University has moved on from ‘awareness’ to ‘action’. It is recognising that the burden should not fall to racially minoritised staff to resource anti-racism efforts. It recognises biases and that racism can be covert and insidious. It is consulting with its community, and taking steps to address inequalities, for instance, through its work with Advance HE ‘s Race Equality Charter.

Its wonderful to celebrate ethnically diverse staff and students’ achievements during Black History Month, however, it’s equally important that we do this all year long through impactful activities that do not merely ‘preach to the converted’. It is more meaningful to focus our efforts on accountability, establishing strategic and operational approaches of advancing race (and intersectional) equality. Only then, can we truly celebrate.

What are you most proud of?

Being brown. Being a woman. Being disabled. Being a parent. Being an activist and an ally. Regardless of the mental and physical challenges that all of these bring, I am proud of them all. I could easily have let my intersectional characteristics allow me to feel marginalised, demoralised and bitter. However, my experiences have made me more empathetic, stronger, and passionate. I make sure that my spirit and courage outweigh my fear and I hope I can continue to empower others.

Sundas Rashid

Student

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I was born in Pakistan but grew up in Italy as I moved there when I was around a year old. Therefore, I have grown up with a horde of multiple cultures around me. I can speak seven languages, 5 of which I can fluently read, write, and speak. Reading and painting are my hobbies which allows me to gain a lot of knowledge that I would not have been able to achieve through academics. I like to sing as well and can do classical Pakistani dance. I love to travel to historical towns and mountainous regions.

Why Man Met University?

I did not particularly apply to Man Met with the intention of studying here. I wanted to go to Leeds, however, my mother insisted that I go to Man Met as it is more convenient since I live in Manchester. I was initially against the idea but then realised it was better for me to go here as I can not only live at home but also save money. However, at times I do think about how good of an experience it would have been if I had moved to Leeds.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

Pakistani culture is very vibrant and distinct thanks to the rich historical background, Islamic nature, geographical location, and ethnic diversity as it is a melting pot of broader Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, and Western influences. Pakistani culture comprises of several ethnic groups coming from regions as far as Africa or Tibet or as close to home as the Indus Valley, which are all very distinct in customs, traditions, historical bloodlines, languages, music and much more. Despite these differences, people in Pakistan live in harmony and welcome people from different backgrounds meaning that racial or cultural biases is not common.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

Spreading awareness of different cultures and educating people on different cultures, their customs and values to reduce racial and cultural biases. Celebrating different cultural aspects, traditions or festivals such as on Eid or Diwali, engaging in extra curricular activities to allow people to get an insight to how and why these festivities or traditions exist.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the way I grew up since it allowed me to not only stay connected to my religion, culture and background but also allowed me to learn about new cultures outside of Pakistan and gain a lot of knowledge and build new skills. It also allowed me to understand the value of certain aspects that other cultures or my own culture lacks.

Jacklyn Siu Yuin Tan

Student

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am a mature student who decided to pursue Physiotherapy in the UK after being a teacher in Singapore for 9.5 years. I wanted to experience a cross-cultural experience as I came to the UK to pursue a different career learning path.

Why Man Met University?

Man Met University has been a university which has a good wide range of diverse students, and I felt that studying here would be a good cultural exchange.

What is something that you love about your culture or heritage?

What I love about my culture and heritage is the cooking and fusion, as well as the different festivals that come with the history and meaning.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to your education?

I think it has been challenging to look at situations from different perspectives and learn how to adapt to what might be necessary to make things better in terms of helping patients and working in a cross-cultural environment.

How do you think MMU can best celebrate their Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority staff and students?

MMU can best celebrate the black, Asian and ethnic minority staff by having festivals and workshops that are conducted by ethnic groups that come from outside of UK and teach and share skills.

What are you most proud of?

I am proud of my own heritage and having the courage to venture abroad to learn more about myself and others cross-culturally.

Iwi Ugiagbe-Green

Reader

Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born in Birmingham and I’m one of seven siblings, so I’m from a big family. I moved to a place called Dunchurch when I was about 7. It’s a small village near Rugby which is where the union was invented, but other than that, most people don’t know where it is. It’s in Warwickshire, which is why I’ve got a bit of a strange accent. I moved to Yorkshire when I was 19 for university and that’s how I landed here.

I was working as an accountant at Leeds Beckett University and was getting married. To fund my dream wedding, I decided to get a side hustle and that’s how I fortuitously fell into teaching. Starting at a college called Joseph Priestley, I was working 1 ½ days a week teaching AT, which is an accounting qualification and I absolutely loved it. After an up and down start, my role at JPC ended with great success and about six months later, I started working at Leeds Beckett in the accounting and finance department, and that’s how I got into academia.

What inspires you within your role?

I am inspired by students more than anything. Typically, young people come to me with amazing ideas, dreams, hopes and inspiration. They motivate me every day to do better and be better, and to strive to make things better.

I’ve always been someone who’s pretty resilient, but I have had some quite terrible experiences in higher education, and when I came into academia, I was very determined that my students wouldn’t face the same issues. I’m also very much inspired by my colleagues too. Working in a fantastic community here at Man Met, with people who absolutely do their work for the right reasons and are always trying to do good things for good people. It’s inspiring and makes things easier for everyone.

What is it about your culture or heritage that you love?

When I was younger, I didn’t really appreciate my culture and heritage. It was more something that made me different, and I associated it with a sense of shame. My experiences at home would be very different to my life at school, so I was trying to hide that from my classmates. I also had different cultural experiences on both my Mum and Dad’s sides. I was born and raised here and it’s a difficult thing to navigate when you get home and don’t fully speak your dad’s language. That can be very isolating and almost made me resentful, as a younger person.

However, as I’ve got older, I’ve become so proud of both sides of my heritage. The way I view Nigeria, is very different to how it was through the eyes of a child. I’m now very proud of the sense of pride and community Nigerians have in their culture. The strength of the people, the respect of their elders, the adoration for family; these are all things I now have my own sense of pride about. This is reflected by the fact that our kids have Nigerian names, for example. We try to keep that connection to our heritage going at home.

What does it look like to bring your whole self to work?

I’ve become increasingly more confident about bringing my whole self to work. I feel that I’m able to confidently vocalise and display the attitude that, if you don’t like the whole me, then that’s tough. I conference openly now about all thing’s racism or exclusion and if I witness wrongdoings, I will call them out.

Even in leadership spaces, where I think certain policies might be going a particular way or strategies that have been presented in a way I don’t agree with, I make sure to be very vocal. I wouldn’t have had the confidence and belief to do this before. I’ve worked in institutions where I have been mindful of bringing my whole self to work. In my previous institution, there was spaces where I felt very celebrated for who I am and my cultural identity. But there were also spaces where I was excluded and told that my identity was a distraction or outside the norm.

At Manchester Met, I’ve definitely felt that it’s clear my department, which is where I had problems previously, are striving to celebrate the things my previous institution failed to. When I look around, I see other people that look like me, and you see this not just in the student body, but in the staff too, which is really important.

How can MMU better celebrate their BAME students and staff?

Projects like the Inclusive Learning Communities Project show that, institutionally, there are resources and support available for staff and students. The fact that they exist makes you feel like MMU is the place you want to be.

Often, I feel as though discussions can be steered by policies that come down from government or regulatory bodies, therefore campaigns and societies such as the BAME Ambassador Network exemplify everything to do with creating space and community for students. It facilitates and promotes positive conversation led by students who can then engage with departments and faculties around the university.

To move things forward, I would say it’s all about promoting engagement and creating equal opportunity. There seems to be a consensus about the change in mindset throughout Man Met regarding the capabilities of students. There are definitely things that will act as barriers to students being able to engage in certain things or achieve certain goals. It’s important we keep creating equal opportunity and supporting our students as individuals, rather than just a data point on a report.

We should be turning our focus to creating networks that are student-led. Providing spaces and resources for people to be celebrated and valued for who they are will allow us to share stories that are directly connected to the student experience. We need to make it part and parcel of what we do, and I see some of that activity happening already, which is really encouraging.

What are you most proud of?

As a senior academic, I am most proud of striving to use my position to pave the way for future academics. I work hard to make sure the door is open rather than pulling the ladder up behind me. I have worked really, really hard to get where I am and believe I have made things better for people.