Equality highlights 2014–2015 Celebrating equality and diversity at Sheffield Hallam University

Supporting women Mentoring scheme – Dyslexic student Football Unites SHU Fest – students In this issue in STEM – Sheffield 146 students from 33 wins award – a Racism Divides – and staff showcase Hallam’s events countries champion materials and Sheffield Hallam the diversity and encourage girls and cultural diversity engineering student students apply talent at Sheffield women to explore page 10 overcomes dyslexia their media skills Hallam science careers to win a national to explore racism page 15 page 8 award in sport page 13 page 14 Introduction Breaking down barriers supporting all This edition of Equality Highlights focuses on collaboration between people and organisations to drive positive change and make real differences to people's lives. We are shining the spotlight on Hallam students and staff who champion diversity and inclusion and have collaborated with employers and organisations on projects and activities that raise awareness around equality and diversity that help bring about change. We've asked them to tell their stories to share their experiences of what drives and motivates them and hope they will inspire others.

Equality and Diversity Team

Role models p4–7 News p8–15 This edition Here we highlight four student role models, Here we report on activities related to each with a passion for their work, some very equality, diversity and inclusion in the active in their communities, freely giving 2014-15 academic year. We’ve picked stories their time and talents to benefit others. that reflect the successes we’ve had, but also our plans for how to respond to the challenges that lie ahead. 2 International Women’s Day, 8 March 2016

International Women’s Day SHU’s Women Professors Group, members The second event - held at Sheffield’s (IWD), observed since 1909, is from HR and E&D, also collaborated with the Town Hall and supported by the White University of Sheffield (TUoS) and delivered Rose University Consortium - invited a global celebration of respect, two events which focused on the overarching individuals from the universities and appreciation and recognition theme of the gender pay gap. The first, held employment sectors across the region, of women’s economic, political, at SHU, was for all female staff from both which were recognised as actively leading Universities and was opened by Professor on and promoting networks to drive change, and social achievements, while Nicola Woodroofe (SHU) and Professor Catlin particularly on inclusion, equality and the continuing to call for greater Buck (TUoS). gender pay gap. equality. Tracey Lancaster, Director of Corporate Guests were welcomed by the Lord Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) plays an Affairs (SHU) and Professor Tilly Loescher Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Peter Rippon who active part in recognising and promoting (TUoS) were plenary speakers and shared highlighted the importance and need for IWD. In 2015 a number of activities and their views on the importance of career greater recognition of the challenges and initiatives took place that were created progression, recognition of opportunities, achievements of women across the region. and delivered by a voluntary group. Senior barriers and their personal career This was followed by a number of plenary leaders, peers and colleagues were invited development experiences. Attendees then speakers who discussed the absence to nominate inspirational female SHU staff participated in five facilitated workshops. of women in HE senior roles (PVC Anne and students. Over 30 individuals were Each workshop was co-designed and Peat - TUoS), lack of gender equality in the recognised and 23 profiles - sharing not facilitated by SHU/TUoS peers and covered workplace (Assistant Dean HWB Helen Best), only what they had achieved but also their topics such as; building and strengthening the pay gap, working patterns and family life story - were published on SHU’s dedicated professional networks, being female is not a (FaithStar Director, Shahida Siddique), and ‘celebrating IWD’ intranet page. pathology: performance anxiety and gender, working as a woman in engineering (Director mentoring for career development, having of Cutting Technologies Ltd, Jane Robinson). In addition to this, five short films of staff challenging conversations, and gaining and students were created. Each of the confidence and resilience. Feedback from ‘It was nice to hear experiences from women inspirational women featured had been those that attended the event was impactful: who have gone through ups and downs and identified by colleagues/peers as truly managed to lead their career successfully.’ ‘Excellent event. Really worthwhile achieving career/personal success through ‘Fascinating presentations regarding impact workshop topics and a great opportunity motivation, determination, drive and of gender pay disparity.’ compassion. to hear/discuss with others from both universities. More next year please!’ ‘Inspirational - thanks for sharing this. It certainly heightens awareness of how ‘The plenary talk and workshops were students and staff have faced adversity a wonderful and unfortunately rare and come out as stronger people and give opportunity to meet and network with SHU/ back - quite humbling!’ - Liz Barnes, Deputy TUoS peers. It was a fantastic opportunity to Vice-Chancellor think and reflect about career.’ ‘An inspirational day!’ 3 role models

Ellie Davison Students’ Union part-time women’s rep 2015-16

Coming from a small village in Cumbria, My 2 large aims for this year, and hopefully Promoting these there wasn’t much to get involved with that future women’s officers will continue in in terms of feminist societies or women’s further years, are to fully establish, support societies, gaining liberation groups, and this is one of the and promote a range of gender equality reasons why I was so excited to be moving promoting and women’s liberation societies members and to Sheffield. within the Students’ Union. Promoting these societies, gaining members and making making others I imagined that like most other students others aware of their relevance in our society unions in the country, there would be is key to striving towards a better university. aware of their loads going on to do with women’s rights and gender equality. But when I arrived And my second large aim is to start a relevance in our in September I was really disappointed! I discourse with nightclubs in Sheffield, trying couldn’t find anything to do with women’s to promote a zero tolerance policy to sexual society is key to liberation going on! harassment on nights out. striving towards a And this is why I decided to run for women’s Alongside this I’ve got some fun events officer, so that come next September, there planned throughout the year celebrating better university. won’t be another fresher who’s disappointed. women so watch this space and get involved! Passionate freshers will be able to get involved with the women’s group, the new If you have any comments/ questions feel feminist society and with women’s liberation free to contact me at [email protected] events, and we can have a strong, connected, large group of students who can stand together to combat sexism and promote gender equality within the university.

4 role models

Ellie Simpson Students’ Union disabled students’ rep 2015-16

My background helpful as a new, disabled student that there I am representing all of the disabled students was a specific rep there for me, so I applied at Sheffield Hallam. I am studying Sport Development with for the role as I thought that I could make Coaching, and I have just finished my first it more visible to the disabled students of What else do I do? year. Since starting at Sheffield Hallam, I Sheffield Hallam. I am an international athlete in the Club have really enjoyed the student experience. Throw and RaceRunning. The Club Throw Although I have not been able to fit in many My Students’ Union role is the Paralympic equivalent of the Javelin extra activities at University due to training In my role of Disabled Students Rep I and it is specifically for athletes with for my sport, I’ve been able to take part in really want to set up a specific society higher levels of Cerebral Palsy & Spinal some fantastic course related activities, for disabled students. Before I started at Cord Injuries. RaceRunning is a sport that such as the SHU Sports Conference 2015, Sheffield Hallam and I was considering other enables athletes with Cerebral Palsy and and I gained a Level 2 Multi-skills Coaching universities, I noticed that quite a lot of the similar disabilities to sprint with support. A qualification. The BBC even followed me other universities had fantastic societies ‘RaceRunner’ looks like a big tricycle without around University for a day in semester 1, specifically for their disabled students. As a pedals and athletes lean on a chest plate, filming me for BBC Look North – they did a sports student and a sports fanatic, I would which puts them into the natural position feature on me based around my sport, which like to investigate the possibility of setting for sprinting – it is essentially wheelchair is Athletics, the charity I run, which is CP up a disability sports club. I know that racing, but athletes propel themselves with Teens UK, and the fact that I had just started Sheffield Hallam already has a Wheelchair their legs as opposed to their arms. I have at Sheffield Hallam as a student. Basketball Club, but unfortunately my type been very lucky to be selected for the World I founded and I run the charity CP Teens of Cerebral Palsy won’t allow me to propel CP Games in August for both the Club Throw UK, which helps teenagers & young people a wheelchair, and catch and throw a ball and RaceRunning. I am so excited, it will with Cerebral Palsy. Through the work I have all at the same time! In the role, I want to be the experience of a lifetime and I am done, and continue to do with CP Teens UK, ensure that every disabled student feels like honoured to be representing my country. this really inspired me to go for the role. A they have a place at Sheffield Hallam, both big part of CP Teens UK is standing up for academically and socially. teenagers & young people with Cerebral I would say, as Disabled Students Rep Palsy and giving them a voice, as well as I really want to make a difference to making things happen for them, so I felt I disabled students at Sheffield Hallam. could take my skills & experiences from CP I’d absolutely love people to contact me Teens UK and try and make things better ([email protected]) and for disabled students at Sheffield Hallam. tell me what they would like to see happen I also went for the role as, as a disabled – whilst I’ve got a pretty good idea as a student, and a first year student, I didn’t even disabled student myself, there’s no point know there was such a thing as a Disabled me only implementing what I feel needs to Students Rep – I would have found it really happen as 5 Luke Allan Students’ Union LGBT+ part-time rep 2015-16

I joined SHU in 2014 to begin an Why I ran for election and my Committee and I am safe in the knowledge undergraduate degree in public relations observations that we will see big changes across and media. I was highly passionate about We live in a society which has drastically campuses and across Sheffield. becoming a part of the governing body changed over the last 60 years. We have seen within the Students’ Union and getting My key aims homosexuality being decriminalised, the My priorities are involved in helping students and LGBT+ legalisation off same-sex marriage sweeping issues. the world and celebrities, public figures, • to establish gender neutral toilets across In October 2014 I was elected into the role of Olympic athletes and many more refusing to both campuses and the Students’ Union Open Space Students’ Union Councillor and hide their true selves by telling the world that • to create a Liberation Hub which will this allowed me to have a real insight into they are part of the ‘LGBT+ Community’. bring all the liberation groups together what the Students’ Union actually does for its Living in rural North Yorkshire most of and provide workspaces for meetings, students and how it operates. I took part in my life, I was not accustomed to a diverse campaigns, a safe space and many more meetings, shared my opinions had an input environment and on a regular basis I would services and resources into what happened. hear my peers making racist, sexist and • to generate much more awareness In March I was elected into the position of homophobic comments. I believe that around same-sex relationships, sexual LGBT+ Students’ Representative 2015-16 because of my past I have more passion orientations and identities education which I consider my biggest achievement and drive to make a difference to the LGBT+ community at Sheffield Hallam. By the end of the year I would like to have (apart from getting into SHU). A few several campaigns which raise awareness days later I attended my first NUS LGBT+ I, like many others, never received what of these issues and I hope that attitudes and Conference in Sheffield where I nominated I would call a standard level of education knowledge will have changed for the better. myself to sit on the steering committee. I was when it came to same-sex relationships, successfully elected for the next two years, sexual orientations and identities. As a result I look forward to working closely with SHU thereby being jointly responsible for the I became the LGBT+ representative. I aim to and especially to work with Signal (The smooth and democratic running of the next provide students with information which will Staff LGBT+ Network at SHU) on a variety of two conferences. make them aware of these issues and create campaigns. I want to stress that even though my position is technically to represent the As well as being involved with the ruling a more friendly society in which everyone is included. LGBT+ students, I aim to make sure that my body within the Students’ Union, I was also ideas and changes also benefit LGBT+ staff lucky enough to undertake the role of course 2014/15 was a poor year for LGBT+ student members. rep for my year and course. This allowed liberation and engagement at Sheffield me to have an insight into the opinions of Hallam, so I made it my priority to re- Email: [email protected] students and give feedback to other course establish the LGBT+ Liberation Group, elect Twitter: www.twitter.com/HallamLGBTrep reps and course leaders. a committee and write a new constitution. I Facebook: www.facebook.com/ am proud that we now have a strong LGBT+ hallamunionlgbt.studentsrep 6 Students’ Union President Dapo Adaramewa 2015-16

After hearing about the prestige of the I succeeded in getting the role of president What would you want to say to business school at Sheffield Hallam, I chose with the help of the most fantastic campaign students and staff? to embark on an international business team ever and accomplished an impressive Students should recognise and understand degree. I have since engaged with the 1330 votes out of 2218 cast. that the Students’ Union is here to represent Students’ Union and University through my your interests and our job is to make sure role as a part-time BME (Black and Minority Dapo’s aims and promises • To work on reducing the BME attainment that you get the best from your time at Ethnic representative) at the Students’ university, in everything from sports, Union and my current position as President, gap in order to help create a more level playing field for all students after their to societies, academics, employability building on experiences both during my time and great club nights. Sheffield Hallam in Sheffield and my home in Nigeria. degrees; having already joined the Sheffield Hallam BME attainment gap University and Students Union have I developed a keen interest in the BME role steering group and also developing some some of the most helpful and dedicated following a conversation with a friend who work I undertook during my BME rep staff members I have every come across told me about the existence of the BME position. anywhere, their contributions to my life has attainment Gap; which shows that BME been immeasurable, so take advantage of • Reduce the ‘hidden costs of being a students were less likely to achieve good them being around. student’, particularly concentrating on the honours i.e. 1st or 2.1 than their white British price of printing, catering and for specific I would like students to understand that you counterparts despite having equivalent or courses such as, woodwork or jewellery should never settle, too many students just higher entry grades. This is a national issue, courses where students feel like they are come and think if that’s the way it is then with Sheffield Hallam having decreased their paying for the same course twice with the that’s the way it should be, but students need gap from 24% to 19% in the last three years. additional costs they pay. to understand that we’re paying to be here Following this motivation and my • To focus on the general assessment so it’s not acceptable to just say ‘it’s fine’. subsequent BME rep role, I got more and journey, addressing the inconsistencies We must demand the very best from the more involved in the Students’ Union in feedback for students and driving to university and ourselves and remember to and started to understand the different ensure anonymous marking is used in ‘Never to settle for any less than you deserve’ opportunities, and facilities on offer by the every case possible. We can ask for more. We should never be Students’ Union and what a huge difference • Increasing student engagement with afraid to ask for more. I would also say it makes to the lives of students even if the Students’ Union in order to ensure enjoy: enjoy your student life. You’re only students never know that it does. that they take full advantage of the here for around 3 years, it goes so quick. I didn’t want to leave the work I had started opportunities available to them and So come down to the students’ union meet behind and wanted to see it progress increasing representation in the Students’ the other fantastic officers Hassan, James, significantly, and so decided to run for Union liberation groups. Peter and Emily and the part time reps that President because I felt that would give me represent you; share your ideas, show your access to certain places and avenues for appreciation, tell us what’s wrong or just change. pop in for a chat. You could also become an 7 officer or part time rep yourself. Women in science, technology, engineering and maths

As the day went on the students built bridges, During the day they also helped celebrate the National women in harnessed energy, put together shelters and one year anniversary of Sheffield Hallam’s talked to lots of women and men working and women in engineering and science society, engineering day - studying in engineering. These discussions who have had a very busy and successful 23 June gave them the opportunity to talk to staff, year with outreach and events. students and employers to discover what 23 June 2015 saw the second national women they do, how they use STEM skills in their Sheffield Hallam University have a long- in engineering day occur in the UK, with everyday life and whether they might want standing relationship with the RAF, having Sheffield Hallam University engaging with to take the challenge of pursuing this career worked with them already on widening local schools to work with the RAF on a path. participation work experience programmes natural disaster scenario day. that have contributed to the RAF being It was a great opportunity to use networks straight allies. At the end of the day the Approximately sixty year ten and eleven to help build widening participation into students were asked to make a pledge girls who had an interest in finding more out STEM subjects, as well as giving the stem and many pledged to find out more about about engineering as a career attended the ambassadors, people from industries, engineering, planning to talk to their family, University, where they were asked to respond construction companies, the advanced friends and look up RAF career options. a hypothetical natural disaster and work manufacturing research centre and our own together to rebuild the community. university the opportunity to participate The RAF is particularly interested in this in activities to encourage women into type of response work because it fills a lot of engineering subjects and careers. their time. They worked with the pupils to set up the day and encourage them through the task. 8 Each year the two Sheffield universities try During the festival the University also Festival of Science and encourage more women to be involved invited Tom Welton from Imperial College in the events, this year resulting in a talk by London to talk about their achievement in and Engineering Christina King, Dr Heather Driscoll and Alice gaining gold standard Athena SWAN status. The Festival of Science and Engineering Bullas, Centre for Sheffield Hallam University Athena SWAN encourages and recognises takes place every year but has a particular about the TV series ‘Speed with Guy Martin’. commitment to advancing the careers of reputation in Sheffield as one the biggest women in science, technology, engineering, festivals in the country. Sheffield Hallam The Centre for Sports Engineering Research maths and medicine (STEMM) employment and the University of Sheffield work in at Sheffield Hallam University was in higher education and research. collaboration with local schools, museums, commissioned by North One Television industry and commerce to organise British to work on the TV series ‘Speed with Guy The University is a member of Athena SWAN Science Week. Martin’. The first challenge was to design and and spent this time hearing about ways in build the world’s fastest toboggan, which which we can expand our commitment to Activities throughout March included: ‘From successfully smashed the world record supporting women in STEM subjects. He Protons to People: How Chemistry Affects achieving 83.49mph. The second challenge talked about making the workplace more Everything’ by Dr David Smith, ‘Alzheimer’s was to set a world speed record for a soapbox inclusive, providing opportunities for social Disease - What Happens Inside the Brain?’ (gravity) racer by beating an unofficial interaction and ensuring there are Athena by Professor Annalena Venneri and ‘Steel, record of 84.4mph which was achieved in SWAN champions across the university. His Strength and Stamina’ by the Sheffield spectacular style. engaging approach has helped us think about Industrial Museum Trust. our approaches and improvements we can make.

9 Mentoring scheme championing cultural diversity

Starting university can be Members were allocated a learning set challenging for students – a close group of mentors and mentees –––––––––– who work together. Through this they Samantha said: as they move away from developed group-work skills, cultural their families, friends and awareness and gained a wide range of ‘The scheme has provided a safe environment for students to come together, celebrate diversity perspectives. support structures. They and overcome deep-seated cultural assumptions. must overcome barriers Both the one-to-one mentoring sessions It’s wonderful to see!’ and the learning set meetings gave when establishing friendship Students said: networks. Students who fail to students chance to reflect, discuss hopes and challenges and share helpful advice ‘Culture Connect is a place to find love and integrate into the university to empower each other on their student acceptance by everyone, no matter who you are.’ community are more likely to journey. Okeoji Emeghinike Emeka, mentee from Nigeria disengage, fail or withdraw. Members benefitted from regular ‘Spending time with friends from different parts In response, Samantha Jane Logan at soft skills development sessions and of the world has made me realize even more International Student Support designed networking activities which prepared about both the good and the bad of the culture Culture Connect – a cross-cultural them for their future careers, and of my hometown. I have learned a lot from their volunteer mentoring scheme to give increased their engagement with the way of interaction, their way of studying and their way of life in general. It has been an eye- students a peer support network, which University. opening experience.’ supports them through social transition, Culture Connect is one of many exciting Amy Ng, mentor from Hong Kong as this underpins their academic SHU GoGlobal projects organised by success. International Student Support which ‘Knowledge of other cultures, diversity, Starting from a small pilot, this year encourages students to have a global communication and teamwork are skills I the scheme grew to 146 students outlook. By encouraging students from want to cultivate beyond my time here. I will incorporate skills gained from Culture Connect from 33 countries, including home different cultures to work together, when I work in’ Sami Riaz, mentor from UK students. Students had a one-to-one Culture Connect prepares them to make a positive contribution to a global mentoring relationship with someone ‘Through the scheme I have had the opportunity economy. from a different country and engaged to meet people from India, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, in structured mentoring sessions, China, Malaysia, Brazil, Poland, Pakistan, where they shared their experiences of Venezuela, Estonia, Japan and Hong Kong. These transition, exchanged information and are people I otherwise would not have had the encouragement. pleasure of meeting.’ Katrina Love, mentee from UK ––––––––––

10 Time to change: an update

It is now nine months since Alongside this, a new ‘Mental Health A considerable number of people have been Sheffield Hallam University promotion for Line Managers’ course is now involved in the bid to sign the Pledge and the available, the content including looking at aim now is to keep mental health promotion and Hallam Union marked recognising and addressing early signs of on the agenda and to raise awareness of World Mental Health Day stress, distress and mental health conditions Sheffield Hallam University’s commitment by signing Time to Change at work, in addition to developing practical to combat stigma across the University startegies and maintaining healthy community. pledges at a shared event. practices in the workplace. Plans are being The pledge outlines the discussed to make this mandatory for all line institution’s commitment to managers. end discrimination towards An additional 8 copies of the Time to Change individuals with mental health pledge board have been obtained and put difficulties. up across both campuses. The progress on the points in the pledge action plan is being Progress on the majority of action points in monitored by the Mental Health Promotion the pledge has been positive. The Student group. This group was originally set up Mental Health policy and procedure has to co-ordinate activities around signing now been approved by the Academic Board the pledge. Over time it has become more and we are in the process of disseminating it representative with membership from across across the institution. the institution. Sheffield Hallam University and Hallam Sheffield Hallam University has recently Union have worked together in order to run joined the Healthy Universities national two Time to Change roadshow events during network, which aims to create learning the academic year, which have attracted a environments and an organisational culture great deal of interest with materials being that enhances health and well-being of picked up by both staff and students. University communities. One of the strategic One of the events centred around the initiatives for the academic year 2014/15 theme ‘choose to disclose’ giving those who linked to this was to sign the Time to Change attended the chance to consider disclosing Pledge, aiming to reduce stigma and raise their mental health difficulties to either awareness of mental health and of mental the university and/or other mental health health difficulties. services.

11 Unconscious bias awareness: training module launched

Over the last year HR and Feedback included: “The Unconscious Bias module is an Equality and Diversity team important enhancement to our equality “a very interesting subject - it’s definitely and diversity development programme. I worked together to develop raised my awareness” hope it raises awareness of an interesting and launch a new unconscious “the recruitment scenario especially stuck and challenging subject and encourages bias training module across the in my head” staff to talk about the implications for their individual practice, team or work area”. Sarah University. “I was unsure whether an e-learning module Swales, assistant director, HR Unconscious bias (sometimes referred to as would be useful to me, but in reality I found To find out more, please visit the implicit bias) happens by our brains making this very worthwhile to do” Unconscious Bias intranet page. The page incredibly quick judgments and assessments “Makes good use of plain English to explore includes information on the topic, a link of people and situations without us realising. complex concepts, without being patronising to the module plus further development Our biases are influenced by our background, or threatening and provides a variety of ways options upon completion. We encourage all cultural environment and personal to interact with the material to maintain staff to take the module and discuss any experiences. We may not even be aware of interest”. implications for their team and work area. these views and opinions, or be aware of their full impact and implications. This bias can We reviewed the pilot feedback to make Find the module on the intranet page: affect working relationships and impact on sure the module reflected the University https://portal.shu.ac.uk/departments/HRD/ our processes such as the recruitment and environment. The launch took place at the development/yourself/Pages/Unconscious- selection of both staff and students. beginning of July 2015 and by the end of July Bias.aspx over 150 people had completed the training. We piloted the module in January 2015 with academic and professional services staff from a range of faculties and departments.

12 Dyslexic student wins award A materials and engineering Jon said: “I was ecstatic to find out I’d won the Since then Jon has also been a runner up award. This is a phenomenal achievement for in the Engineering Construction Industry student has overcome dyslexia to me. I have always struggled with education Training Board (ECITB) final for the Learner win a national award. because I have dyslexia, so I never thought of the year award: a category to acknowledge Jon Forster, 25, was awarded the prize of I could aspire to this level. I intend to use and celebrate an exceptional learner who technician of the year by the Institute of this award to inspire future technicians and undertook learning and development using Materials, Minerals and Mining, who judged engineers.” an ECITB programme or programmes his contribution to the sector as exceptional. Dr Paul Bingham, course leader for materials Having graduated with a first class engineering at Sheffield Hallam, nominated foundation degree in materials engineering, Jon for the award. He said: “Jon has Jon is now studying for a bachelor’s award in consistently applied himself and has worked the subject, which he fits in part-time around diligently throughout his studies and was a his job at AMEC Foster Wheeler. natural choice for a nomination.”

13 Football Unites Racism Divides

Students from the sport studies Module leader Beth Fielding-Lloyd said: “Part course have been practically of the ethos of their course is linking wider –––––––––– social issues in sport to ordinary people’s As the session began we were applying their media skills by everyday experiences. promptly asked if we wanted to join writing an article for Football in. In doing so we got to meet and chat “The challenge for students here was to Unites Racism Divides (FURD). with some of the members who have produce sport journalism that investigates come from as far away as South Asia The students took part in a trip issues that are current and newsworthy and Central Africa. Initially we were to the organisation as a result of whilst also discovering how they impact on apprehensive about how we would the recent racism experienced in people within their community.” fit in as our only understanding of The decision to focus on the problem of asylum seekers and refugees was the sector, exploring the troubles through the media, much like the racism in football was inspired by a piece around racism in sport. majority of the population. However, of research which has revealed the relative within minutes we were all having a FURD is a youth and social inclusion lack of black and minority ethnic coaches in conversation about our shared love of project and charity based in Sheffield, professional football, as well as recent news football. England, which works locally, nationally about Chelsea supporters being banned after and internationally to combat racism and an incident on the Paris Metro. It seemed that football created a level increase understanding between different playing field, where background, communities. Michael Fazakerley, the student judged to culture and nationality became have produced the best feature article about redundant. The charisma of many The students, who are all in the final year of the trip, has had his article published on and their confident attitude towards their degree have been interviewing the staff the FURD website. He explores the negative football was fantastic to see, and young people at FURD about their take media attacks surrounding immigration and something that is often neglected in on racism in football. Some of the students exposes the lack of funding for initiatives the British media’s portrayal of these got involved in helping FURD to tackle similar to FURD, for example, he reveals that groups. the problem by bringing together isolated “Sport England, which is responsible for communities for tournaments and leagues, community sport, has seen its funding cut Matt Stone and Chris Nicholls as well as some playing a game with the by an astounding 33%”. Undergraduates, Sheffield Hallam young people at FURD. University –––––––––– The visit was organised by Sheffield Hallam’s Venture Matrix scheme and formed part of the students’ course which required them to produce a piece of sports journalism which investigates a relevant social issue.

14 SHU Fest In March, students and staff The festival kicked off with an Irish folk Samantha Jane Logan, one of the organisers acoustic set by Emily Connor, president of the from the International Experience Team, organised a weeklong celebration Students’ Union. Meanwhile the Cocklebread said: ‘Sheffield Hallam University has an of dance, music, poetry and Band made up of Sheffield Hallam staff amazing range of student talent from around more to showcase the talent provided a treat for the ears of folk and the world. Each year SHU Fest provides a and diversity at Sheffield bluegrass fans. A 60-minute Portuguese fantastic opportunity for students to get master-class and an Omani fashion show involved in something extra alongside their Hallam University. Led by the featured beautiful designs by student Hajar studies, showcase their cultural traditions International Experience Team, Alruzeigi. from home and abroad, and gain additional SHU Fest is now in its sixth year. experience to make their CV’s stand out. Indonesian students cooked up their SHU Fest is one of the many exciting SHU There were more than 50 exciting events, favourite recipes from back home and GoGlobal projects which aim to broaden our many of which were open to the public such taught others their skills, while national students’ horizons and foster a feeling of as a Brazilian Carnival, Thai dancing and an league champion ballroom dancer Fides community amongst our 34,000 students.” Indonesian Angklung orchestra. Matzdorf, from Sheffield Business School, and her partner Ramen Sen performed in Find out more about SHU Fest and other the Heartspace. SHU Fest culminated with a projects at shu.ac.uk/global colourful celebration of the Holi Festival -- a traditional Indian festival which marks the coming of spring, where people threw clouds of rainbow-coloured powder at each other.

15 Keep in touch Sheffield Hallam’s Equality and guest posts and equality and diversity @TrishElwis Diversity Support Officer Diversity website: a site with awareness. at Sheffield Hallam University information about our events, the blogs.shu.ac.uk/thebigpicture equality act and equality duty, equality @Aloma_shu Equality and Diversity reporting and staff networks. Staff networks: a site for more Officer at Sheffield Hallam University information about our staff networks shu.ac.uk/university/overview/ @SHU_Signal_LGBT The LGBT Staff diversity http://www.shu.ac.uk/university/ overview/diversity/forums.html Network at Sheffield Hallam University Equality: the big picture: a blog for the work undertaken by Sheffield Hallam WiSET: a website for the team who University staff and students to create widen the participation of under- a fair and inclusiveness environment represented groups in science, within the University and further afield. technology, engineering, maths This is an informal site for discussion, (STEM) and the built environment wiset.org.uk