Part of the ‘My Story’ series of reflections by Student Success Diversity Mark Officers.
“As a Nigerian-born young woman, I have always valued the importance of having a safe environment to express yourself. While I moved from Nigeria to the UK at the age of 2 and was able to assimilate to the culture here from early on, conflict between cultures and identity was something that I was very familiar with both in an academic and non-academic landscape.
Joining as a Diversity Mark intern has been very rewarding to me as it is an important project that empowers students and encourages a sense of belonging. Especially as a BAME student, EDI is something that influences me as I navigate throughout the world in all its challenges and celebrations. Since joining the Student Success team, I have felt these experiences been validated and feel motivated at the opportunity to drive positive change.
The Diversity Mark project is an opportunity for me to speak up for students who might otherwise feel that their lived experiences do not matter, while connecting with module convenors to innovate and find practical ways to achieve representation.”
Coordinated by the Student Success team in conjunction with module convenors, Diversity Mark Officers have been appointed in order to review reading lists in terms of their diversity and in relation to Black/White awarding gaps. This has resulted in increased engagement of all students and improved belongingness of global majority students by locating alternative readings from the Global South for assignments and course work.