Women Who Advocate for EDI

This year, the national theme of Women's History Month is Women Who Advocate for Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) so for the first week of our campaign, we have decided to shine a spotlight on the women at Royal Holloway who have made significant contributions to this area of work.

From student volunteers to staff members, we will celebrate their efforts to create a more inclusive world for all. 

Alice Goode (she/her) - Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Co-ordinator 

My name is Alice, and I am the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Co-ordinator at Royal Holloway. I have been in the role for almost a year now and absolutely love it. My day-to-day is always very varied as we contribute to work across a whole host of different areas. Our job as an EDI team is to promote equity for all of the protected characteristic groups here at RHUL. There are nine protected characteristics, and intersectionality also comes into play, so there is always a lot going on. For example, the new Parents and Carers Staff Network has just launched, I’m leading the action plan that came out of gaining the Disability Confident Leader accreditation, I organise events for different history months, we’re planning a big comms campaign in April, and we’re supporting the Service Evolution Project. That is only a fraction of what I’m involved in, and I think that’s why I love working here. I get to work with so many different people on lots of different projects that at their heart are all concerned with making a difference in people’s lives, and that’s what makes it important. People working in EDI are always striving for better, for equity, and inclusion. I can’t think of a more important and fulfilling way to spend my time.

Alana Penney (she/her) - Disabled Students Community Officer  

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a central component of the Community Officer roles. As the CO for disabled students, I have sought to promote EDI by challenging inaccessibility on campus and holding various services and managerial teams to account, ensuring that disability is never overlooked in their decision-making. Upholding the right to a rewarding and enjoyable student experience, regardless of disability status, is integral to successfully achieving EDI; this is a key motivation for my current student experience campaign. The Community Officer roles are designed to guarantee the inclusion of marginalised and minority voices, which is important as equality can only be achieved when the people directly impacted by injustice are given space to communicate their experiences.  

At Royal Holloway, people are incredibly keen to make inclusive changes that further the inclusion and equality of all students - this is one of my favourite things about working within EDI. The positive feedback from within the disabled community shows just how grateful people are to have a figure speak on their behalf. I believe that EDI is the most important factor to consider in any campaign or leadership role because disabled, and other marginalised groups, are all too often left to face barriers and challenges alone. Being a voice for disabled students shows them, not only that a student representative always has their back, but also it proves that people like them will be listened to and valued at Royal Holloway.
 
Nisha Bundhun (she/her) - VP of Wellbeing and Diversity  

As the Vice President of Wellbeing and Diversity at Royal Holloway Students' Union, my role primarily revolves around promoting EDI and wellbeing initiatives within the student body. I work with the aim of creating a campus environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and included regardless of their background. One of my favorite aspects of this role is witnessing the positive impact EDI efforts have on our community. Whether it's organizing inclusive events, advocating for marginalized voices, or implementing policies that support diversity, every action contributes to creating a more inclusive and welcoming campus. It's important that we promote EDI at Royal Holloway because our diverse student population deserves to thrive in an environment that celebrates their differences and ensures equal opportunities for all. The thing I enjoy the most about promoting EDI is getting to see students from various backgrounds come together and support each other, both academically and socially. It is incredibly rewarding. 

Molly Hanning - Founder of Academics Against Assault

Within my role, I actively promote Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) through various initiatives such as workshops on rape culture, advocating for inclusive consent education, and fostering a safe space for survivors of sexual violence. My favourite aspect of promoting EDI is witnessing its positive impact on student groups and individuals around campus. By championing diversity and inclusivity, we not only create a safer space for everyone but also break down barriers in our society and culture entirely as we move forward passed our degrees. 

As you can see the women in our community are working hard to ensure that Royal Holoway it a place where every student feels valued, respected, and included regardless of their background. Let's continue to celebrate their contributions and work towards a more inclusive future for all at Royal Holloway and beyond.

Women's History Month

Head to our campaign page to find out how you can get involved and join us at our Women Who Advocate for EDI Panel this evening!