Living, Learning and Leisure for an Inclusive Community
09.30 Tea & coffee
09.45 Welcome & introduction from the Chairman of the Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity Committee - Professor Chris Mullard CBE
10.00 - 10.30 Key Note Speaker - Peter Wardell 10.30 - 10.40 Question and answer session
10.40 - 11.10 Neurodiversity - Nicholai Thomasin-Foster & Dr John Conway 11.10 - 11.20 Question and answer session
11.20 - 11.50 Transition to Higher Education - Luis Aguiar 11.50 - 12.00 Question and answer session
12.00 - 12.30 Living in a Diverse Community - Richard Pascall 12.30 - 12.40 Question and answer session
12.40 - 14.00 LUNCH through servery
14.00 - 15.00 Key Note Speaker - Dame Jocelyn Barrow DBE 15.00 - 15.10 Question and answer session
15.10 - 15.40 Neurodiversity - Nicholai Thomasin-Foster & Dr John Conway 15.40 -15.50 Question and answer session
15.50 - 16.20 Learning in a Diverse Community - Karen Czapiewski 16.20 - 16.30 Question and answer session
16.30 - 17.00 TEA and closing remarks from the Chairman
18.00 - 21.00 Salsa Dancing in Tithe Barn
Professor Chris Mullard CBE DL Hon LLD PhD MA FRSA
Chris began his professional life in the field of community relations, after which his academic career developed in tandem with his social and business interests. He became a lecturer at the University of London and later a Royally-appointed Professor at the University of Amsterdam, and his many publications include Black Britain; Race, Power and Resistance; Anti-Racist Education: The Three ‘O’s; and The Plural Cube: A Discourse on Emancipatory Models and Minority Cultures. Over the years Chris has advised many UK local and national government bodies; European governments and agencies (eg-Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Holland, Germany, EU institutions); and international organisations (OECD, UNESCO, UNDP, WCC, etc) in the areas of education, migration, and social and economic development, with a particular focus on cultural diversity issues and development concerns. In 1986, Chris co-founded Focus Consultancy, which was to embody his ideas on change management, equality, diversity and inclusion. In keeping with his history of community involvement, Chris has also taken on a number of voluntary roles – for example, as Chair of London Notting Hill Carnival, where he masterminded the professionalization of the organisation and management of Carnival (2002-2008); and as Chair of the Bernie Grant Trust (2002-2012). In 2004 Chris was awarded a CBE for services to race relations. He has been a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Wiltshire since 2007 and, as well as being a Governor and Visiting Professor at the Royal Agricultural College, he is also Honorary Consul for the Republic of South Africa for the South West of England. He received an Honorary LLD from the University of Exeter in 2009.
Peter Wardell
Peter Wardell is an experienced, award winning magician and speaker, and the only magician to have won both the Stage Magician and Close-up Magician of the Year titles at the Magic Circle. His ability to entertain a modern audience relies on a combination of quick hands, a quick wit, and an understanding of what makes people tick. These are skills that Peter developed while working as a street magician in London’s Covent Garden, and at festivals around the world. Since focusing his talents towards a more commercial marketplace his unique performing style has earned him bookings from many major corporate and private clients. Awards: Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year 2010 Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year 2009 Carlton Comedy Award Winner 2005 International Magic Close-up Magician of the Year 2001 Member of the Inner Magic Circle (Gold Star)
Dr John Conway BSc (Manchester), PhD (Wales), FRGS, FGS, MNADP, FHEA
John Conway is RAC’s disability officer [since 1999] and a director of both the National Association of Disability Practitioners [NADP] and the Association of Dyslexia Specialists in Higher Education [ADSHE], the leading organisations representing the interests of disabled students in university. John’s passion is in making university level education accessible to students with a wide range of impairments and thus making them independent and reducing their dependence on assistance and special arrangements. Nicholai Thomasin-Foster DipAgFM, PGDip, AFM, MRAC, MALT, AlAgrE
Nicholai Thomasin-Foster has worked at the College for nearly 15 years and is a lecturer in Farm Mechanisation. He has been part of the Inclusivity, Equality and Diversity Committee for the past two years. Nicholai is dyslexic and works hard to use this knowledge in his lecturing to students and supporting students in assessments. He has a depth of knowledge of working in a neurodiverse community and will share his knowledge with students and staff. It is not complicated, and with a touch of magic it will come clear to those who seek it.
Luís Kluwe Aguiar BSc (Brazil), MSc (London,Wye), PGCHE (Glos), FHEA
Luís Kluwe Aguiar is a Senior Lecturer at the Royal Agricultural College, lecturing on marketing and international business. He obtained an MSc in Agricultural Economics from the University of London, Wye College. After graduating in Agricultural Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, he worked in different agribusiness-related roles, namely horticultural seeds, malting for beer making, storage systems and as an agricultural attaché. Presently, Luís is Programme Manager for the MBA in the Food Industries; an Associate Lecturer at the Open University Business School; External Examiner for the University of Hertfordshire; and he has also acted as Link Tutor for Foundation Degree in Business Management. Luís has conducted many national and international consultancy projects as well as lecturing in Brazil, China, France and Portugal. His main research interests are in marketing and consumer studies. Richard Pascall
Born in Zimbabwe, Richard Pascall is a British citizen. He is a third-year student at the RAC, studying International Agribusiness as well as being the Chaplaincy Assistant. Richard is a committed Christian and is passionate about his role and what the Chaplaincy stands for here. He is friendly and approachable, which helps make the Chaplaincy an integral part of the College community.
Dame Jocelyn Barrow DBE
Formerly Director for UK Development at Focus Consultancy, Dame Jocelyn was a founding member and General Secretary of CARD (Campaign Against Racial Discrimination), the organisation responsible for the Race Relations legislation of 1968. As a senior teacher, and later as a teacher-trainer, at Furzedown College and at the Institute of Education, London University, in the '60s, she pioneered the introduction of multi-cultural education, stressing the needs of the various ethnic groups in the UK. She was the first black woman Governor of the BBC and Founder and Deputy Chair of the Broadcasting Standards Council. Her equal opportunities and educational expertise is reflected in her many Government appointments to a variety of organisations and statutory bodies, including Governor of the Commonwealth Institute for eight years, Council Member of Goldsmith's College, University of London, Vice-President of the United Nations Association in the UK and Northern Ireland, and Trustee to the Irene Taylor Trust providing Music in Prisons. She is National Vice-President of the Townswomen's Guild and was instrumental in the establishment of the North Atlantic Slavery Gallery and the Maritime Museum in Liverpool. She was a Trustee of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside and a Governor of the British Film Institute. In 1972 she was awarded the OBE for work in the field of education and community relations. In 1992 she received the DBE for her work in broadcasting and her contribution to the work of the European Union as the UK Member of the Social Economic Committee. Karen Czapiewski JP, BSc, MBA
Karen Czapiewski works at College as secretary to the Vice Principal. She also delivers the study skills sessions to students, the aim of which is to improve accessibility of learning opportunities for all. Her background includes extensive work on inclusivity, equality and diversity issues: delivering training in her recruitment and training manager role at the Bank of England; acting as Equal Opportunities Officer for QAA in her seven years there as Head of Personnel; and co-author of the original section of the QAA Code of Practice for students with disabilities.