NU EDI Conference 2026

Northumbria’s second EDI conference took place on 10 June 2026. The event was centred on the theme ‘Bold and Inclusive in Changing Times: Embedding equity with confidence, purpose and compassion’.

Opened by Vice-Chancellor Andy Long and featuring keynote speaker Professor Arun Verma, the conference provided an opportunity to share ideas, explore good practice and highlight the wide range of inclusion activities taking place across Northumbria.

We have had very positive feedback on the day. One colleague commented: "The conference was a thoughtful, safe space to reflect with colleagues on how we can be hopeful in these politically and financially uncertain times." 

Thank you to the colleagues and speakers who contributed to making the day such a positive and impactful event, and to all of our guests for engaging so positively in the day.

The full agenda was published in advance of the day to enable colleagues and students to sign up to any keynotes, identify any parallel sessions they wished to attend, and to note any dietary and catering requirements.

To enable sharing of knowledge and learning to those unable to attend, slides, posters and photos from the day can be accessed on our intranet page: (Northumbria log in required) 

Slides:

• 1. Keynote Address - Professor Arun Verma
• 1.1 What UDL looks like in practice - Anticipatory design for SAPs, International and Commuter Students
• 1.2 Maternal Spaces Research Project
• 1.3 Good Practice Guide for Inclusive Demand Management
• 1.4a Inclusivity in Sports
• 1.4b Freedom to Move
• 1.5a Converge Northumbria - A Healing and Creative Campus
• 1.5b Levelling Up Law
• 1.6a Experiences of Racially Minoritised staff and students in Post Graduate Research in a post-92 University
• 1.6b Amplifying Black Voices in the University Library
• 2.1 How Do Job Adverts Deter Women
• 2.2 Creating Dementia Inclusive Workplaces
• 2.4a See Me North Research Project
• 2.4b Make Space - A Vice-Chancellor's Diversity and Inclusion Funded Project
• 2.5a Trans Cultural Production in the UK
• 2.5b Understanding Barriers and Enhancing Success in GEDI across the HEIs of SEA and the UK
• 2.6 Neurodiversity in the Workplace
• 2.7a Launch of LGBTQ+ Action Plan
• 2.7b Disability Equality at Northumbria