As part of the roll out of our Challenging Racism campaign, the University of Kent, in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University and City, University of London are working with Inclusive Employers to deliver a virtual, Inclusive Allyship Programme.
The Challenging Racism programme aims to open-up channels of discussion and reflection around racism, as well as raise awareness and understanding around the challenges associated with ethnicity/race, including an opportunity to become an Inclusive Ally.
The course is FREE and open to all staff from each partner University. This is a unique opportunity for staff to take part in a cross sector initiative and share their experiences with colleagues from other Universities. The programme
will be delivered over a number of weeks (see dates overleaf), with the first of four virtual sessions taking place on 23rd February 2021.
Places on the programme are limited. To register your interest in this programme, please add yourself to the waiting list via Staff Connect. We will then contact you directly with further information.
Inclusive Allyship Programme
Delivered by Inclusive Employers, the programme will take place over several weeks to allow for reflection and action between sessions. Each session will be one hour long.
In between webinar sessions, delegates will complete a workbook with self-reflection activities supporting them to develop their self-awareness, consider their biases and identify areas for development. Allies will play a key role in supporting the University to advance its Equality agenda by linking with the staff networks, to support them with events and activities; be driven by Staff lived experience and expertise; and support various stakeholders across the University to drive a culture of inclusion.
Aim of the programme:
Understand what makes an Inclusion Ally and how it relates to three key areas: values, behaviours and actions.
Explore privilege, circles of influence, and the boundaries of the role.
Explore frameworks and techniques to challenge exclusion and have challenging conversations.
Create an individual plan of action.
Session 1 (Introductory Session) – “Welcome to Allies” webinar (23rd February 2021 – 11am)
Values: why are Allies important? – We’ll take a look at the purpose of Allies at the University and the wider context, including anti-racism and structural discrimination.
Behaviours: how do Allies make a difference? – We’ll discuss privilege and power and how this can be utilised to make the workplace more inclusive, identifying the boundaries of the Ally role.
Actions: what do Allies do? – We’ll look at specific projects and initiatives Allies can support,
and the actions they will be taking over the next 4 weeks
Session 2 – The importance of courage in the face of discomfort (3rd March 2021 – 2pm)
This virtual learning session will address the topic of developing self-knowledge and courage to identify one’s own bias (conscious and unconscious). This session will cover white privilege, white fragility and suggestions for unpicking the biases we soak up from the societies in which we live.
Session 3 – Inclusive language and courageous conversations (19th March 2021 – 2.30pm)
This virtual learning session will focus on identifying and challenging exclusion and discrimination, including how to use the University’s existing processes more effectively. This session covers the practical actions Allies can take to challenge exclusion, including influencing skills, conversation techniques and strategies for taking action.
Session 4 – Consolidation session (TBC)
This virtual learning session is aimed for Allies to consolidate what they have learnt and ‘graduate’ from the programme.
Inclusive Employers will facilitate an ‘Allies surgery’ where Allies can raise any concerns and questions for the Inclusive Employers consultant to troubleshoot.
Once completed, Allies will record/photograph their Allies, pledge (a commitment in their own words of what they will do as an Ally) for the next 12 months and will graduate from the scheme.
These pledges will then be shared as part of communications around the Allies programme.
Questions? Please email: challengingracism@kent.ac.uk
Register Your Interest: Staff Connect Kent