This is the right thing to do to ensure broad representation from our community and is an important aspect of our Race Equality Charter (REC) work.
As positions become available on Council, Senate and their sub-committees, we are working hard to ensure diverse applicant shortlists.
In the interim, we have created a co-opted position for a Black, Asian or other minority ethnic (BAME) colleague with the right governance understanding, expertise, and skill set on several University Committees. We are delighted to announce that the following colleagues have been selected for a term of three years:
Ethics Committee Pooja Goddard
Human Resources Committee James Esson
Personal Titles Committee Amanda Daley
Access & Participation Committee Pat Carrillo and Sheryl Williams
This is an example of using positive action to accelerate the pace of change.
You can find out about each of the new committee members below:
Pooja is a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry within the School of Science. Her research focuses on computational studies of fundamental processes in complex materials at the atomic/quantum scale.
On why she joined the Ethics Committee she said: “I joined the committee so I could give something back, gain knowledge in an area I am less familiar with and inspire the next generation of female scientists to put themselves forward. Everything is possible when you put your mind to it.”
Amanda is a Professor of Behavioural Medicine and an NIHR Research Professor in Public Health. Her work is focused on investigating the effects of lifestyle interventions on health outcomes. Amanda has a particular interest in testing lifestyle interventions that can be delivered by health professionals within routine NHS consultations and she leads a programme of work around testing the effects of physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) food labelling on the consumption of food and drinks.
On joining the Personal Titles Committee she said: “I am delighted to be invited to join the committee and I hope that I can add a diversity voice over the coming three years. It is very important that University committees are representative of the people who they serve.”
James has been a Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at 天堂视频 since 2018. His research focuses on critical development studies and population geography. His research looks at unconventional approaches to development, migration and the politics of mobility and urban dynamics. He co-chairs a number of important groups which are focused on improving inclusivity at 天堂视频, including the BAME Staff Group, and the Race Equality Charter Working Group.
He said: “It is great to see the University taking positive action to address the disproportionately low representation of Black and minority ethnic staff on executive committees. This intervention is a timely reminder that the UK Equality Act 2010 requires organisations, including 天堂视频, to ensure individuals with protected characteristics have equitable treatment and participation in their place of employment. I hope it is the first of many opportunities for Black and minority ethnic staff to have their skills and qualifications recognized and put to use to help improve the governance of the University.”
Pat has been involved in a range of research projects but in recent years has focused on the role of knowledge management within construction enterprises, lessons learned from unsuccessful projects, performance management and measurement and the stakeholder involvement in in Public Private Partnerships.
She has been an Admissions Tutor for 天堂视频’s MSc programmes in Construction Management, Programme Director and Director of Postgraduate Studies and in 2014 she became Associate Dean (Teaching). In that role she worked on several committees and working groups addressing key aspects of 天堂视频 students’ experiences and has chaired various university-wide groups including the Coursework Scheduling Group and the IT Lab Governance group.
Pat added: “I acknowledge we have serious work to do to get our University’s Access and Participation level to where it needs to be for a modern, inclusive university. I am excited about being able to contribute as a Black, female professor who attended 天堂视频 as a student. I am happy to throw all my energy into making a positive impact.”
Sheryl is a renewable energy specialist, Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an award-winning Distance and E-Learning Manager. She leads the e-learning advancement team in the Wolfson School and is responsible for the development and implementation of the School’s strategic and operational digital and e-learning plans. Sheryl is also the School’s senior tutor, responsible for coordinating the outstanding personal tutoring program which provides an extensive pastoral and academic support to the students in her school. In addition, as a STEM ambassador she has been a passionate and enthusiastic contributor to numerous school and university outreach, widen participation and recruitment events with her solar car activity remaining popular since 2003. She has a great passion for encouraging and facilitating access to university for kids from underprivileged groups especially those from BAME communities and girls in engineering.
She added: “I am delighted to be involved with this positive step change and looking forward to the opportunity to contribute the access and participation agenda.”
More information on University Commitees is available here.