Stephanie Kirkham, newly appointed Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, aims to cultivate a more inclusive learning environment, enriching experiences and collaborating with staff and students to support, promote and celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion:

Our staff, students, and the communities we serve are central to our future planning and vision of becoming a connected and diverse organisation. Enhancing equality and inclusion will ensure all staff and students can be the best version of themselves, regardless of their socio-economic background or protected characteristic (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation).

Our ‘Daring to be different’ strategic plan is built around our core values: Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Excellence. Each value reflects the essence of equality and diversity, where we aspire for everyone to feel a sense of belonging. 

During Black History Month we are highlighting some online and in-person events taking place across Scotland.

Students and staff can also sign up to Santander Scholarships ‘Union Black: Britain’s Black cultures and steps to anti-racism’ online short course which explores Black British history, cultures and steps to anti-racism.

Online:

• Every Tuesday lunchtime in October: Black History Month – Lunchtime Talks by the Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities and the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science.
• Friday 14 October: Curating Discomfort and Black History Month in Scotland by The Hunterian.
• Tuesday 18 October: Teshome Douglas-Campbell interviewing Ade Adesina by the V&A Dundee.
• Saturday 22 October: Multicultural and Intergenerational Folk and Extracts from Aces’s Book Project by the African Caribbean and Elders in Scotland Society.
• Thursday 27 October: Scotland, India, Families and Race by The Hunterian Museum and University of Glasgow.
• Thursday 27 October: Racializing Children: Addressing Anti-Black Racism in the Museum of Childhood Collection by Museum & Galleries Edinburgh.
• Thursday 27 October: Ancient African Queens by National Museums Scotland.

In-person:

• Saturday 15 October: Family Fun Day for Black History Month, Eden Court Theatre and Cinema, Inverness.
• Friday 28 to Saturday 29 October: ‘Enough of Him’ by the National Theatre of Scotland, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Pitlochry.
• Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 November: ‘Enough of Him’ by the National Theatre of Scotland, Perth Theatre, Perth.

Further key dates coming up:

• Monday 10 October: World Mental Health Day.
• Monday 24 October: Diwali (Hindu, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists- Festival of lights).
• Saturday 19 November: International Men’s Day
• Sunday 20 November: Transgender Day of Remembrance
• Friday 25 November: Elimination of Violence Against Women Day
• Friday 25 November to Friday 9 December: 16 Days of Action raising awareness of Gender Based Violence
• Saturday 3 December: International Day of People with Disabilities
• Saturday 10 December: Human Rights Day
• Sunday 25 December: Christmas Day
• Sunday 18 to Monday 26 December: Hannuka (Chanuka)