EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences

• Ciaran Acton
• Amber Crozier
• Jen Hamilton
• Gillian McNaull
• Linda Moore
• Tawanda Nyawasha
• Karl O’Connor
• Heather Quiery

School of Art

• Siobhán Bereen
• Brian Dixon
• Conan Hickland
• Grainne McMenamin
• Mike O'Callaghan
• Celeste Owens
• Lucy Smyth
• Jill Spratt
• Alice Tennant

School of Arts and Humanities

TBC

School of Communication and Media

• Juliana Gerard
• Helen Jackson
• Maggie Long
• Giuliana Monteverde

School of Education

• Jessica Bates
• Una O'Connor Bones
• Carol Grogan
• Liz Lees
• Clare McAuley
• Orlagh McCallion
• Paul McFlynn
• Kristen Nicholson
• Anne Rowan
• Sammy Taggart
• Claire Woods

School of Law

TBC

Civil Unrest

The Faculty EDI Steering Group condemn the violence and civil unrest witnessed across Northern Ireland in June 2026. We are committed to supporting our whole community of staff and students across the Faculty. If you are affected, support can be obtained from your line manager and Employee Wellbeing. The Staying Safe and Supported on Campus and in the Community webpage may also help, while the BAME Network can offer additional advice and support. Support for students, including international students, can be sought from studentwellbeing@ulster.ac.uk and the International Student Advisory Service (isas@ulster.ac.uk).

BAME+ Network Focus Group

On 30 June 2026, Jennifer (Jenny) Jackson-Smyth (Faculty EDI Steering Group member) organised a focus group on the Belfast campus, delivered in partnership with the Rural Community Network, as part of the Intercultural Cross Border Inclusion Programme (ICIP). This aimed to better understand experiences of racism, especially among colleagues and communities from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds while developing strategies and tools to address racism at a structural level.

Jaipur Literature Festival

The globally renowned Jaipur Literature Festival came to Ulster University, which hosted the opening weekend of the festival on campus from Friday 22 – Sunday 24 May 2026. One of the world’s biggest and most influential literary festivals, Jaipur Literature Festival celebrates books, ideas, culture, politics, music, storytelling and debate. Subject areas within AHSS, including English.

Building Awareness and Understanding of Neurodiversity

On 4 March 2026, Kate Byrne (Arts and Humanities EDI School Lead) organised ‘Building Awareness and Understanding of Neurodiversity’ training. Neurodiverse students make up a significant proportion of the Arts and Humanities cohort. The workshop illuminated practical ways to ensure that our teaching is as inclusive and helpful as possible for those with different learning needs. Thanks to Sharon Sturgess and Tracy Galvin for their informative talks.

• Monitor processes, polices and professional requirements related to EDI, particularly in relation to Athena Swan, Race Equality Charter Action Plans, and other related activities.
• Promote awareness and understanding of EDI principles and practices.
• Policy Development and Implementation: We keep under review how existing policies and practices can be effectively shared and aligned.
• Support and Advocacy: We develop, implement and share best practice in EDI initiatives for underrepresented groups.
• Training and Education: Working closely with the central EDI teams, we co-organise training sessions and educational programmes for staff and students on EDI topics.
• Planning and Reporting: We produce annual action plans and annual reports.