About the Staff Race and Ethnicity Network
The Staff Race and Ethnicity Network is open to staff from all ethnic backgrounds, including staff who are allies. All members of the Network are expected to be supportive of race equality.
The Network provides safe and supportive space for staff, as well a formal channel to raise issues to the Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group. The Network takes an action focused approach to driving change at St George’s in relation to race equality. The Network will inform and feed into relevant university policies and initiatives where relevant.
The Network also provides a safe space for individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds to come together and raise issues and ideas. This group meet separately to the main Network.
Staff can contact the Network at renetwork@sgul.ac.uk
Chairs of the Network
Click each name below to find out about the Chairs of the Race and Ethnicity Network.
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As the co-chair of the Race and Ethnicity Network (REN), Sonia is committed to advancing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion across the organisation and within the wider university community. Known for her approachable nature, she also serves as a certified Mental Health First Aider, providing support and resources to those in need. Sonia has completed the B-Mentor programme, the Aurora Leadership Programme and the Diversifying Leadership Programme for people of colour, strengthening her advocacy and leadership skills in promoting an inclusive environment.
In her role in Admissions, Sonia is passionate about ensuring a fair and equitable process for all applicants. With wide-ranging contacts and strong relationships across the university, she brings a unique perspective to student recruitment and interviewing, always prioritising transparency, and equal opportunity. Through her work with REN, she has been instrumental in organising impactful events, such as Black History Month and various collaborative initiatives, to raise awareness, amplify underrepresented voices, and foster a community where everyone feels valued and supported.
Previous events and activities
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The Race & Ethnicity Network had the privilege of hosting a Black History Month event in collaboration with the Archives, and it was truly a day to remember! Over the course of two hours, around 50 people attended the event to honour and reflect on the rich history of the Black community within our university and beyond.
The event was filled with powerful stories from our staff, who shared their experiences and insights on what Black history means to them. These personal stories added depth and emotion to the day, reminding us of the importance of creating spaces where we can listen, learn, and grow together.
Read the blog here.
For Black History Month 2021, the Race and Ethnicity Network would like to showcase the work of young Black and mixed race poets, in collaboration with Poetic Unity and Mixed Race Faces.
Poetic Unity is a Brixton-based charity, whose aim is to give young people a voice and empower them to reach their highest potential. Poetry can be a creative outlet, an educational resource and a mental health tool.
To read more about Poetic Unity’s work you can visit their website here.
Mixed Race Faces is an organisation that captures portraits and stories of people with mixed heritage. They challenge the definition of the term mixed-race, and help to show how a mixed heritage influences the way they navigate their every-day lives. To find out more information and to read more stories from other mixed race individuals please visit their website here.
Watch the videos below
Week 1 - Joel
Week 2 - Memo
Week 3 - Reya
Week 4 - Aaron
The network’s launch event in September 2020, was focused on how St George’s can become an anti-racist institution. There were conversations about what anti-racism is, the impact of the unjust murder of George Floyd and how crucial is it to have a race and ethnicity network and the importance of safe spaces.
The discussion was chaired by Michelle Moroney from the Staff Race and Ethnicity Network, and she was joined by the following four panellists:
- Jason Arday, Assistant Professor at Durham University
- Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, NUS Vice-President
- Vanessa Ho, Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Amandip Bisel, Lecturer in Student Success.
Watch the recording of this event here.
For Black History Month 2020, the Race and Ethnicity Network held an event around mental health, depression and the challenges Black women face whilst childbearing and the wider effects on family life.
Attendees were given the exclusive opportunity to watch clips from the Nollywood film For Maria Ebun Pataki, which was followed by a discussion featuring:
- Nadia Denton, Director of For Maria Ebun Pataki
- Damilola Orimogunje, Director of For Maria Ebun Pataki
- Ban Haider, Senior Clinical Lecturer in Primary Care Education
- Paula Cummins, Lecturer in Midwifery
Watch a recording of this event here.
Find out more
Keep in touch and find other information about the network on the MS Teams.
Visit the Staff Networks page for more information about other EDI Staff Networks.