In October, the University launched the EDI Exchange and the University’s first Inclusive Impact Awards.
To celebrate the launch of the EDI Exchange, the University held their first Inclusive Impact Awards Ceremony last Wednesday at the Guildhall.
The University’s Strategy for 2030 centralises around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
The event included words from the new Chancellor, Heather Melville OBE CCMI, and Charlie Jeffery, the Vice Chancellor.
The EDI Exchange seeks to bring together work already going on across staff and student groups at York, as well as developing new initiatives and helping to speed up change within the University.
The University states that through EDI, they are working towards “build[ing] an environment where our staff and students can work, study and live in a community which fosters a sense of belonging, is reflective of our values, and drives forward an innovative agenda for change”.
The awards saw nominations from a wide range of student groups, individuals, and members of staff. The award categories include Inclusive Community, Inclusive Research, and Inclusive Partnerships.
Medical Student & Student Expert Panel member, Phoebe Durojaiye, was awarded the prestigious PVS’S EDI Catalyst Award for her work inspiring diversity and inclusion at the University.
Other winners of the night include The Decolonising Education Collective (DEC) for the Inclusive Education Award, and Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE) for the Inclusive Partnerships Award.
Vision spoke to Michelle Hughes, the EDI Exchange Project Director.
“The EDI Exchange will provide a platform for our staff and students to showcase and celebrate the inspiring and impactful EDI work that is happening across the University.
“We hope that this will bring people together and build a community of EDI catalysts, but also inspire others to think about what they might be able to do themselves to help the University of York to become more inclusive.
“As we start to engage with our wider university community, and build up our bank of evidence, we will also work to shape and inform the University’s policies and practices to ensure that every single member of our University community feels as though they belong here and have their place.”
For a full list of winners and nominees, click here.