(she/her/hers)
Rachel is an experienced EDI practitioner who joined Durham in 2016. Prior to this, she worked as Senior Advisor on equality legislation and practice within the public sector, leading on a number of strategic projects to support the implementation of equality legislation and the Equality Framework for Local Government. She started her career within the legal and voluntary sector leading a number of community-based projects to support engagement and cohesion. Recently, she has worked as part of an OfS Catalyst funded initiative, alongside eleven other Universities, to identify ways to tackle religious and race-based hate crime and support student safety and wellbeing.
You can contact Rachel on the details below:
Tel: 0191 334 6717 Email: rachel.archbold@durham.ac.uk
Angela is an experienced CIPD qualified EDI professional who joined Durham in May 2022.
Angela previously worked in the Public Sector, holding EDI posts in both the NHS and the Civil Service where she worked with senior leaders, staff networks and external partners. Angela has experience in implementing EDI strategy, developing and implementing equality impact analysis frameworks, EDI Policies and a special interest in disability and accessibility.
You can contact Angela on the details below:
Tel: TeamsEmail: angela.johnson@durham.ac.uk
Mel joined Durham University in 2017 initially in HR before taking up her current role in September 2018. Mel leads on the Race Equality Charter work and collaborates with stakeholders on initiatives and programmes promoting racial equity, positive intercultural relations and faith/belief inclusion. She also supported the delivery of the Hate Crime Project and the development and implementation of the Report + Support tool. Mel’s former roles involved strategic and operational HR, policy development and project management in both private and non-profit sectors. She holds an MSc in Human Resource Management and in Business Psychology, as well as a BA in Legal Management. Her previous postgraduate research focused on migrant workers’ experiences and on cross-cultural management.
You can contact Mel on the details below:
Tel: 0191 334 6760 Email: melanie.h.earnshaw@durham.ac.uk
Jordan joined the University in 2015, originally working in the Access and Engagement Team. In May 2022 Jordan moved into the role of EDI Lead. Prior to joining the EDI team Jordan worked on key Access and Participation Plan initiatives such as the Supported Progression programme, Sutton Trust Summer School and more recently setting up the Schools Membership Scheme. Jordan’s previous work has focused on working with prospective underrepresented students, their teachers and guardians/parents to help inform their decisions about Higher Education.
You can contact Jordan on the details below:
Tel: TeamsEmail: jordan.p.coldwell@durham.ac.uk
Lara joined the EDI team full time in July 2022, having most recently been the Programme Manager for the Levelling Up: Aspire Higher Durham widening participation programme and Project Manager of the just IMAGINE if... 2022 international innovation competition. She has significant experience of working across academic and professional services departments in the university, in both research and professional services roles. From 2018 to 2021, Lara was responsible for supporting academics in developing REF impact case studies for REF2021 (and beyond) and assisting in the whole range of activities associated with impact and engagement at Durham University Business School. She has a PhD in Physics (2016) from Durham, and undergraduate degree BSc/MPhys in Physics with Astrophysics from the University of Leeds (2010).
You can contact Lara on the details below:
Tel: TeamsEmail: l.s.r.small@durham.ac.uk
Siobhan joined the university in February 2021 following a long career within the private sector. Siobhan has a history of managing multinational diverse teams within a variety of industries. Previous experience has included setting up an outsourced technical support desk in the Czech Republic and building a customer service desk for a new business. Siobhan has a wealth of experience within the customer journey, policy development, GAP and data analysis, coaching and mentoring and developing training programmes.
You can contact Siobhan on the details below:
Tel: TeamsEmail: siobhan.kennedy@durham.ac.uk
Sandra joined the University in October 2021 as Community Liaison Lead for Race and Ethnicity. The focus of Sandra’s role is to promote and develop strong involvement and engagement relations between communities of interest and identity that will help foster a sense of belonging for our black and minority ethnic staff and students to create a culture of belonging within the University, city and surrounding area.
Sandra holds a NVQ Level 3 in Sustainable Environment, a BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission, a Masters in International Cultural Heritage Management. She is currently undertaking a PhD in Human/Computer Interaction. With 17 years of experience in working with communities and ethnic minorities, Sandra has lived in County Durham for almost 10 years, during which time she has been extensively involved with local organisations and communities.
You can contact Sandra on the details below:
Tel: Teams Email: sandra.almeida@durham.ac.uk
Executive Assistant to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (EDI)
Yulia joined the University in August 2021, having recently relocated to the UK from Russia. Prior to Durham University, she has worked in various sectors, from construction and banking to FMCG, providing top level executive support and also working in Supply Chain logistics. Yulia brings to the team vast knowledge of various business sectors, as well as a truly multicultural background, benefitting from studying in the US, France and Russia. Yulia holds a Master’s degree in World Politics and International Relations and a BA in Diplomacy and Regional Studies.
You can contact Yulia on the details below
Tel: 0191 3346050
Email: yulia.abramova@durham.ac.uk
Lucy joined Durham in October 2022 and has worked in higher education for fifteen years in both project management and disability/accessibility roles for students and staff. Lucy has experience of engagement work, social media and increasing visibility of protected characteristics within her previous institutions.
You can contact Lucy on the details below:
Tel: TeamsEmail: lucy.lax@durham.ac.uk
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