Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

In the School of Education and Social Work we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) practices and policies. We want all staff and students to experience our School as a space that enables them to meet their potential and to thrive. We are particularly interested in active work to address inequalities produced around the specific intersections of gender, race, and disability.

EDI activity in our School is mapped to the University’s EDI Strategy. This has four main priorities:

EQUAL SUSSEX Reduce the gap in representation, experience, progression and reward between those with and without protected characteristics.
DIVERSE SUSSEX Be a place that celebrates diversity and tolerance and fosters good relations in our own and the wider community.
ACCESSIBLE SUSSEX Provide equal access to excellent learning, research and employment opportunities regardless of physical or unseen disabilities.
FLEXIBLE SUSSEX Become an organisation that is flexible by default to ensure we are inclusive in everything we do

You can find out more about the Inclusive Sussex vision, leadership and activities on the Sussex Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.

In our School we organise EDI work to meet these priorities through our EDI Committee. This is chaired by EDI Director, Alka Townend.

Black History Month 2024

Have you seen our showcase on the plasma screen in Essex House reception? This month we're celebrating BHM 2024 by promoting our staff and students' favourite poets and authors. You can include yours too. Just email eswcomms@sussex.ac.uk and let us know who you've chosen and why you've chosen them. So far we have highlighted the following:

1. Elizabeth Acevedo
Hazel Crawford (Assistant Research Manager)
I really love ‘The Poet X’ by Elizabeth Acevedo. It is an incredibly evocative coming-of-age novel told through the poetry of protagonist Xiomara. She really demonstrates how writing can be used as self-expression and can be used as a powerful tool - both privately and publicly. I love how Acevedo plays with both language and structure, subverting the rules and expectations to echo Xiomara’s journey.

2. John Agard
Lorraine Anim-Addo (Doctoral Tutor)
John Agard is a distinctive and cherished voices in contemporary poetry who has used his remarkable talent to explore themes of identity, colonialism, and the richness of the Caribbean and African diasporas. Through his playful yet poignant use of language, Agard challenges the legacy of imperialism and invites readers to question historical narratives, all while infusing his work with humour, wit and profound wisdom. Agard’s poetry speaks powerfully to the Black experience, addressing both the pain of displacement and the triumph of cultural resilience. His iconic poem “Half-Caste” (once taught in the AQA GCSE English poetry anthology) confronts racial prejudice with irony and insight, becoming a powerful anthem against racism and division. Beyond that, Agard’s exploration of history in works like “Checking Out Me History” reclaims the stories and voices of Black figures too often omitted from traditional historical accounts, offering a vibrant celebration of Black heritage and contributions. Agard and his wife and fellow poet, Grace Nicols, live in East Sussex.

3. Malorie Blackman
Ana Pereira (Senior Operations Manager) said:
One of my favourite authors is Malorie Blackman, Her Noughts and Crosses series, which I read in my late 20s, really made me think deeply about issues like inequality and prejudice. I loved how the story of Sephy and Callum showed the complexities of love and friendship in a divided society. Her work still feels relevant today in the way it tackles race and injustice.

4. Joseph Coelho
Alka Townend (Lecturer in Primary & Early Years Education / Director of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) said:
One of my favourite poets/authors is Joseph Coelho. His award-winning book 'Werewolf Club Rules' has a collection of poems on school and family life. In this anthology, Coelho delights in an ambitious use of evocative metaphorical language. My favourite poem is the one in which he recalls his heroic reception teacher with global sensibilities who had her own way of handling racist bullies: "When the bully punched me for being too brown, Miss Flotsam glared at him with an eye that could turn fists into begging bowls..."

5. Safia Elhillo
Kristine Langhoff (Professor of Social Work / Interim Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Knowledge Exchange) said:
Currently: I really love the poet Safia Elhillo (Sudanese, young, super cool) who writes about migration, war, violence, friendship, and living between two cultures.
From the past: Audre Lorde, the powerful feminist writer, who said things like: ‘The masters tools will never dismantle the master’s house’ (always an important challenge) and ‘I am deliberate and afraid of nothing’. We used her words as part of workshops with young people and they really loved and were inspired by her 😊

6. Laura Henry-Allain MBE
Gillian Ruch (Professor of Social Work)
My nomination is for Laura Henry-Allain’s book ‘Jo-Jo and Gran Gran’. This delightful picture book portrays Jo-Jo, a four-year Black girl and her relationship with her grandmother. It is a relatively new book and underlines how it is only very recently that the diversity of family life has become more visible in story books. This fact was powerfully underlined by the presentation from the Centre for Promotion of Children’s Literacy who spoke at our EDI and Research celebration in the summer. So here’s to more stories of ‘Jo-Jo and Gran-Gran’!
Also written by Laura Henry-Allain:
“There is no one way to have a family and no right way to be a family”
‘My Family, Your Family’ is a powerful non-fiction book that focuses on what makes a family, exploring how different families come together and celebrates the idea that every family is unique. ‘My Family, Your Family’ aims to help children and adults have meaningful discussions on family and belonging in an accessible and approachable way.

7. Arundhati Roy
Heather Stanley (Assistant Operations Manager, Communications) said:
One of my favourite books of all time is 'The God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy which won the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1997. When I first read it, it had a profound impact on me. It is a powerful book with deep and complex themes. Many of them uncomfortable to read about. But it was also the cleverness - the brilliance! - of the writing that really inspired me to want to write myself. In fact, when I did a 2-year creative writing course a few years later, this was the book I chose to refer to in my first year. Roy has only written one book since this one, which I believe speaks to the depth of her passion - and probably her perfectionism! Roy is also a political activist involved in human rights and environmental causes.

8. Big Mama Thornton
Daniel Hobbs (Course Coordinator)
I’d like to nominate Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton. Not quite a poet/author, but they were a songwriter and singer. They pushed boundaries in the 50s through to the 80s by being queer and gender nonconforming.Big Mama Thornton was a blues icon and the original singer of ‘Hound Dog’ - later made famous by Elvis Presley. They also wrote the song ‘Ball and Chain’, which was later covered by Janis Joplin. Big Mama Thornton was influential in shaping American music - blues, rock & roll, folk and R&B.

9. Namse Udosen
Namse is a current International Education & Development MA student and a 2023/24 Chevening scholar. He is also an accomplished educator and creative writer, known for his innovative approaches to engaging young learners. Namse has initiated various educational programmes in Nigeria, such as Bookathon, puppet shows, Read-A-Create and storytelling sessions to support inclusive education. He has also supported community education outreaches to Baban Sura by FLARE Initiative and Kujama by Wonder Woman Nigeria. He has led writing workshops for the Sussex 'National Saturday Club' and the Yasmine Elrufai Foundation in Nigeria. He recently received a gold Spirit of Sussex award for his contributions to culture and creativity at Sussex and in Brighton. Namse is the founder of the Tanar Educational Development Foundation, an organisation focused on improving educational outcomes in marginalised communities through critical pedagogy. He operates a community learning centre in Narayi, Kaduna state, that empowers students to critique their world and develop a critical consciousness in line with the principals of critical pedagogy. Namse's children's book 'Amang Goes to the Village' is the first part of a series that chronicles the adventures of a former city goat. It explores themes of inclusion, supporting diversity and resilience. It is published by Almara Publishers in Nigeria.

10. Benjamin Zephaniah
Karen Gladwin (Lecturer in Mathematics Education) said:
One of my favourite poems is 'Imagine Nation' by Benjamin Zephaniah who sadly passed away last year. He was dyslexic and struggles so much in school he left at 13. Yet he wrote a poem with such positive vibes about school. He even mentions the "joy in mathematics"! My favourite section of this poem - and what's perfect for the celebration of Black History Month - is:
"Nor can you put a price upon
a teacher full of passion.
What's possible is endless
when these talents are combined.
What's possible is priceless
and it's all in the mind."

What are ESW's EDI priorities?

Apply for Athena Swan Bronze. This is an internationally recognised gender equality initiative and allows us to audit and act on matters of gender equality within our School.
Engage in ongoing work to address the experiences of, and exclusions felt by, racially minoritised staff. This work is led by the School’s Racialised Academics Network and supported by our Race Equality Action Plan.
Ensure our School’s culture is open and transparent around EDI. We are developing our website and policies to ensure clear communication around EDI opportunities and support for staff and students.

How can I get involved in EDI initiatives in ESW?

Our EDI committee normally meets termly in a hybrid meeting that is chaired by the EDI Co-Directors. The committee is open to all staff, including doctoral students. You can find out more about our aims and scope by referring to our EDI Terms of Reference [PDF 57.67KB]. New members are always very welcome.

Email EDI Director, Alka Townend to find out more.

What EDI training is available?

The University’s online training platform Learn Upon offers a range of mandatory and optional courses for staff. These include Diversity in the Workplace, Trans and non-binary awareness and the Impact of Micro Behaviours. The University hold a variety of events to commemorate

In ESW we also hold a range of additional Events and Training for staff and students. This has included hosting speakers on Race Equality, Neurodiversity and Disability Awareness. We are always open to ideas so if there is an area you would like us to focus on or a speaker you’d like us to invite, please contact Alka.

What about support and relevant networks?

In addition to the EDI committee, we have a Racialised Academics Network in our School. This is led by Fezile Sibanda and Dr Tam Cane.

The University offers a range of other networks, services and points of contact including the LGBT+, BAME, Trans and Non-Binary, and Disability staff networks.

See also the University's Dignity, Respect and Inclusion policy.

Students and staff can also access support via the University's Report + Support platform.

As staff, if I have a question or something of concern related to EDI, what should I do?

EDI Director, Alka Townend, can be contacted if you have a question or concern around EDI. This could range from a question around appropriate terminology or suggesting a speaker or celebration event.

You can also contact us in the first instance if you are experiencing bullying, harassment or discrimination and we can listen in confidence and signpost appropriately. Your line manager, head of department or unit, union representative or HR rep can also offer advice and guidance.

Outside of the School, Report + Support is the University’s online tool, for you to find support, report anonymously or ask to speak to an adviser in relation to topics such as bullying, harassment, a hate incident, sexual violence, domestic abuse or discrimination.

As a student, if I have a question or something of concern related to EDI, what should I do?

EDI Director, Alka Townend, can be contacted if staff members have a question or concern around EDI. This might be a query about appropriate terminology, or a suggestion for an initiative, and event, or a speaker.

Students can contact the School's Directors of Student Experience, Jo Tregenza and/or Dr Rachel Burr [eswdose@sussex.ac.uk] if they are experiencing bullying, harassment or discrimination. DoSEs will listen, discuss options in confidence, and signpost appropriately. Academic Advisors, course or module leads, and the Student Union can also offer advice and guidance to students.