Objectives of the seminar series

• To create a safe space to talk about diversity and stimulate conversations within the department for staff and students to engage in meaningful, honest and at times challenging discussions about their experiences, regardless of their background. 
• To develop confidence in having challenging conversations based on experience and encouraging individuals to take action for change in their own sphere of influence.  Support individuals to reflect, understand and create change in their own sphere of influence. Develop the capacity and skills to participate in these conversations with more confidence, and in turn identify ways to tackle inequality and improve the experience of diversity of staff & student.
• To encourage open discussion and build awareness and understanding of diversity (race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality etc.) issues amongst staff and students.

This lunch time departmental seminar series are exclusively for Geography department students (UG, PGR, PGT, ECR) & staff.  Within the department there are excellent role models from whose experience we can draw and learn how individuals navigate and negotiated different aspects of diversity.  Constructive discussions on user journeys help us map the ways in which people move through spaces, places and environments within the department.  Topics so far include:

1. What is it like being a BAME academic? 
2. On whiteness and being an ally;
3. What is it like being a Young Female Lecturer? 
4. Reflections on being a gay geographer;
5. Being a Technician;
6. Male, pale and stale