Ethnic and Cultural Diversity
Our group works alongside the equality and diversity advisor to raise awareness and break down barriers that prevent staff and students from achieving their full potential. We provide a voice to individuals who are seen as different from the norm by their culture or ethnic origins. We promote that being from the global majority should be perceived as an asset, not a negative.
Our belief is that we are not all the same or have similar experiences. Instead, we create a safe environment for racially marginalised and traditionally minoritised members of staff and empower them to become a driving force behind meaningful and positive changes.
Our group coordinates meetings through an elected chairperson and is supported by an executive champion:
Professor Mark Simpson,
Deputy Vice Chancellor
Executive Champion
Zoulika Lamamra,
Senior Lecturer in Marketing,
Teesside University International Business School
Chairperson
Lisa Smith,
Lecturer in Digital Marketing,
Teesside University International Business School
Vice Chairperson
Staff can highlight concerns, suggest improvements, or report incidents of racist bullying and harassment by emailing ECD@tees.ac.uk in confidence.
Objective
Racial disparities are ubiquitous and manifest themselves in everyday situations, processes and behaviours. Teesside University is committed to combating racism in all its manifestations. We recognise that, as an institution, we can't reach our maximum potential until people of all ethnic backgrounds can equally take advantage of opportunities.
Becoming a member
Joining our focus group offers numerous benefits:
- actively contributing to the shaping of our university community and policies
- networking across schools and departments
- raising your professional profile
We welcome new perspectives and are always keen to recruit committed members.
Membership entails:
- attending and participating in meetings
- sharing ideas and contributing to the development of an action plan
- working collectively and taking responsibility
- actively supporting the implementation of the action plan
Our group meets four times a year, with additional informal meetings to plan events.
If you are interested in joining, email ECD@tees.ac.uk
Events
We currently do not have any events planned, please check again in the near future for updates.
Initiatives and activities
Black History Month
As we celebrate Black History Month, we invite you to reflect on the extraordinary contributions made by black individuals throughout history and in the present day.
We would love to hear from you about the black heroes who inspire you.
Find out moreTeesside University Students' Union Cultural Festival
22-24 October
Join us across three days to celebrate and embrace cultures.
Find out moreMIMA 24 for 24
24 for 24 is a learning and reading resource compiled for Black History Month in October 2024, with recommendations relating to black lives and histories.
Find out more
South Asian Heritage event
A special event celebrating South Asian culture was held for staff and students to launch a special South Asian Heritage Week on campus.
Find out more
23 for 23 project
23 for 23 is a learning and reading resource compiled for Black History Month in October 2023:
Find out more
Taste of Africa
Teesside University regularly works with Taste of Africa North East, to support their creative projects and dedication to mentoring young people. We are a regular sponsor of the annual Black History Youth Awards.
External community engagement
Find out morePro:NE Project
Pro:NE is a network creative by the five leading university in the North East - Teesside University, Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University and the University of Sunderland, that runs from 2021-2025.
Pro:NE were awarded a Research England and Office for Students funded grant. They are working on improving access and participation for black, Asian and minority ethnic groups in postgraduate research study, in the English higher education sector.
Find out moreCultural awareness training
You can access cultural awareness training on Blackboard Ultra:
Organisations ‹ Organisational Development & Learning Online ‹ Embedding an Equal and Inclusive Culture at Teesside University ‹ Working across cultures.
Find out morePushFar mentoring scheme
PushFar is a mentoring platform, that offers workshops and guidance. Workshops are available for mentors and mentees and cover what to expect from mentoring, how to leverage PushFar's platform and how to use mentoring for career development, goal setting and progression. There are currently 15 Teesside University employees registered with the PushFar platform as mentees and mentors.
Find out moreBME equality award
Teesside University picked up the Public Sector Award at the Tees Valley BME Achievement Awards 2023 for our work promoting equality and inclusion across the Tees Valley.
We also work with:
- Borderlands Creative People and Places
- One Community Link
- The Black & Minority Business Leaders' Forum
At Teesside University, we are extremely proud of our diverse and inclusive community. We recognise and celebrate the uniqueness of our students, staff, and visitors, creating a welcoming and respectful environment where all individuals are valued and appreciated. As an academic institution, our commitment to embracing ethical and cultural diversity, and actively opposing prejudice, through our research, teaching and engagement activities, is core to our mission of transforming lives and economies
This focus group has been created to highlight the challenges associated with racism, elevate the voices of minority ethnic staff and students, and empower people to actively contribute to significant and constructive change.
