Essex Business School EDI newsletter - Spring term 2026
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I hope that you are doing okay during these difficult times for EBS and the wider University. Our work on Equality Diversity and Inclusion continues, and I am delighted to share our Spring Term 2026 EBS EDI newsletter. It includes the four blog posts available at the following links:
- What dozens of scholars taught us about building a truly inclusive academia
- Creating a Safe and Inclusive Community at Essex
- "It met me at my point of need!" Reflections on the Black Researchers T&T Sponsorship programme from a sponsee’s lens
- Equality impact assessments are not just a 'nice to have'
Neurodiversity Celebration Week will be observed from Monday 16 March to Sunday 22 March. Dr Raysa Geaquinto Rocha provides the first blog reflecting on what being neurodivergent means, how universities can raise awareness, what a neuro-inclusive workplace looks like and how, supported by grass roots activism, the University of Essex is aspiring to be sector leading in its neuro-inclusion policy and practice. I hope that everyone can take some time out during Neurodiversity Celebration Week to reflect on what neuro-inclusion means for the people, culture and environment at EBS.
In our second blog Rebecca Fernando, VP Southend University of Essex Students’ Union, reflects on the theme of creating a Safe and Inclusive Community at Essex. In so doing Rebecca discusses the importance of respect and belonging, and how supporting this can mean speaking up about unacceptable behaviours. Relatedly, Rebecca raises awareness of the University's Report and Support platform.
Our third blog is by Essex PhD researcher Sharon Musonza who shares her experience on the recent Transitions and Transformation (T&T) programme including the value of the sponsorship that it facilitated. The T&T initiative took targeted action by providing resources that enabled students from Black and minority backgrounds to thrive.
As the University of Essex seeks ‘structural change’, there have been questions raised around the role of Equality Impact Assessment in supporting equality, diversity and inclusion. In the fourth blog, I reflect on what Equality Impact Assessment is, what it involves and why it matters.
Please may I also take this opportunity to send belated Happy International Women’s Day wishes to you all!! International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on 8 March and the theme this year is #GiveToGain. In this International Women's Day 2026 blog post see inspirational stories of women from a variety of academic subject areas who’ve championed gender equality.
Finally, there is a wealth of EDI related research taking place at EBS, amongst both staff and students. There are students engaging with EDI challenges in their PhD research, PGT dissertations as well as UG final year capstone projects. A student-led conference sharing EDI-related research, undertaken by EBS students is being planned for Autumn Term 2026. This event will provide an opportunity to hear more about EDI-related research in the school, discuss EDI issues, and receive peer support from students with shared interest in EDI, as well as feedback from staff. If interested in participating, please do contact the lead organiser Khairani Asran Ibrahim (kb23503@essex.ac.uk) who is an EBS PhD Student and one of our School’s Equality Champions.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this newsletter and who is supporting efforts to improve EDI at EBS. As Rebecca notes in her blog, we all have a role to play in keeping our community safe and kind.