People 

EDIG represents the interests and concerns of all constituencies of the Department of Geography. We have representation from academic staff (permanent and fixed term), professional support staff and postgraduate and undergraduate students.  Some members also represent wider interests related to EDI including disability, sexuality, ethnicity, job precarity, widening participation and first-generation scholars. 

Dr Léonie Newhouse (Chair of the EDIG) 

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department, with research interests in conflict and post-conflict recovery, and a long history of work with refugees and asylum seekers. Through this work, I have come to know incredibly brilliant and talented people who have not always had access to education, or that have had their schooling and careers interrupted. They inspire me to push to make the institutions I work in more accessible for all—regardless of background.   

Professor John Wainright (Deputy Chair of the EDIG) 

My current role in the Department is Professor of Physical Geography and Lead Physical Geography Research Cluster Convenor, as well as being the Deputy Lead of the EDI Group.  As a first-generation scholar, I'm keen to support the widest possible access to HE.  My research interests that relate to sustainability and resilience mean that I'm also interested in how geographical perspectives develop globally and relate to broader issues of decolonization.  

Dr Rachel Colls (Department Athena Swan Lead) 

I am an Associate Professor in Human Geography and the current Athena Swan Lead for the Department. As a feminist geographer, I teach and conduct research related to gender, identity and body size. I am committed to ensuring that all staff and students are supported and listened to by the Department and that they have a safe, inclusive and enjoyable place to work and study. My current work involves developing tools to support precariously employed academic staff. 

Emmy Martin 

My interest in EDI stems in particular from being a disabled person, and a female in an otherwise male-dominated field. I am keen to ensure that all members of the Department, no matter their background, are represented and their voices heard. My involvement is mostly around representing the student voice, but I am also involved in the Internal Communications group, including development of the Department’s EDI website. 

Professor Dave Roberts 

I have worked at Durham University for 25 years. I am a glacial geologist by training and am interested in ice sheets, glaciers and climate change. I have spent many years as the Director of Admissions for Geography  and  I am currently the Department’s Widening Participation Lead. I  work particularly closely with local Durham communities to promote understanding and appreciation of the landscapes we live in. 

Aimee Wilkin 

I’m Aimee and I’m one of the Lab Technicians in the department. My interests in EDI stem from my personal experiences in women’s issues, LGBTQI+, mental and physical disabilities and as a first-generation graduate.  

Dr Mildred Ajebon 

I am a Career Development Fellow in Human Geography, specialising in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and the geographies of health inequalities. My commitment to EDI and inclusive teaching is driven by a desire to empower students from all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented communities, to feel supported and valued within the University. I belief that fostering inclusivity, especially in teaching quantitative methods, helps to break down barriers for students who may feel disconnected from traditional knowledge systems, enabling them to engage with confidence. I share the Geography Department's aspiration of creating a more accessible, equitable, and supportive environment for both staff and students through mentorship, collaborative teaching, and community engagement.  I am a Christian woman and mother of two. 

Raphael Henrion 

I am a third year BA Geography student and currently the EDI Representative for the Durham University Geographical Society (DUGS). As part of both DUGS and the Department's EDI team, I am passionate about promoting inclusivity and ensuring a supportive environment for all students and wider department. I desire to address inequality in academic and professional spaces and create a culture where diverse voices and experiences are valued. 

Dr David Small 

I am an Assistant Professor within the department interested in visiting cold places and all things icey. As someone who previously experienced fixed term contracts for over a decade(!) I am particularly passionate about how EDI intersects with precarious employment and peoples lived experiences of this. I am also acutely aware, as a male who works in polar regions, of the pressing need to continue to improve the diversity and inclusion of fieldwork (and polar science more broadly). 

Gabi Summers 

I’m the Assistant Learning and Teaching Manager in Geography. I’m part of the EDI group as I think it’s an excellent platform to represent all things EDI on behalf of my team and Professional Services Staff. Being new to the group, it’s been interesting to see and hear how EDI related issues feed into all aspects of the Department and various job roles, and how it all feeds into the “big picture”. It’s also been fun being involved in the creation of the new EDI Sharepoint!