We are delighted to welcome Jo Lawton, Interim Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion to Kent.

Jo has a background of leading EDI projects and priorities across a number of HE institutions and is joining us from UK Research and Innovation, where she developed the organisation’s EDI workforce strategy.

Jo says, ‘I’m really excited to join Kent at such a critical point in our EDI journey. I’m committed to understanding the great work that is happening across the institution and to identifying opportunities to consolidate and strengthen what we do (and how we do it).

I’m thrilled to be bringing such a talented and passionate EDI team together and to be working with such a broad range of internal experts, committed networks and diverse stakeholders.  Together, I’d like for us to develop an organisational-wide approach to moving our commitments forward, one that is transparent, practical and at the same time aspirational – putting co-creation (between our student and staff communities) at the heart of everything we do.

To ensure our work is relevant and impactful – I’ll be looking to make the most of internal and external learning, expertise and partnerships. Over the next few weeks I’ll be meeting with as many people as I can from across our community to listen, learn and start this process.’

Meet the team who Jo will be working with:

Tanesha Allen – EDI Data Analyst – leading on the design, analysis and reporting of all monitoring data for the use of Kent’s Race Equality Charter application. Tanesha will also provide data analysis and advice to support the wider EDI strategic agenda.

Tanesha Allen

Leroy Cohoone – Race Equality Mark Co-ordinator – leading the operation, planning and delivery of Kent’s Race Equality Charter, Leroy will be co-ordinating across the institution, working closely with the institutional self-assessment team.

Leroy Cohoone

Minna Janhonen – EDI Adviser –  formally the University’s Athena SWAN Adviser, Minna is prioritising Kent’s submission to the Inclusive Employers Standard benchmarking exercise, alongside advising divisions on their submissions to the Athena SWAN Charter.

Minna Janhonen