The Awards Showcase is a window into the projects that won, or were runners up, in the 2026 UHR awards. Each session will focus on one award category and bring together the individuals who led and delivered the projects. Presenters will give a quick overview of their projects before having a facilitated conversation about the opportunities and challenges the activity brought about. The audience will get the opportunity to engage directly with the presenters to ask any questions.
WINNERS: University of Birmingham - Professional Services Leaders of Colour Programme
Equality Diversity and Inclusion Team
The Professional Services Leaders of Colour (PSLC) Programme is first-of-its-kind and sector leading pilot designed by and for racially minoritised senior Professional Services staff across five regional universities and a Students’ Union. Coordinated by the University of Birmingham’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre, the programme addressed longstanding gaps in leadership development, representation, and peer support for racially minoritised staff within Higher Education. Across five full day sessions held over eleven months, participants explored themes they cocreated—including navigating organisational politics, recognising strengths, responding to microaggressions, shaping personal brand, and understanding how race and identity influence senior roles. The programme brought in high impact external speakers and created an intentionally inclusive, identity affirming space.
Evaluation showed significant improvements in confidence, sense of belonging, career clarity, and ability to handle challenging workplace situations. Participants consistently highlighted the value of the peer network formed through the programme. The pilot demonstrated the need for ongoing, collaborative, and regional approaches to developing racially minoritised leaders. Future plans include an alumni network, wider sector expansion, third-party partnerships, and more structured institutional support to strengthen both personal development and systemic change.
RUNNERS-UP: UWE, Bristol - UWE Anti-Racism Strategy
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team
UWE’s Anti-Racism Strategy is a comprehensive whole university approach to addressing racial inequities, aimed at creating lasting change within the university. By embedding anti-racism into recruitment, decision-making, and governance, the strategy drives systemic transformation. It emphasises senior leadership accountability, with all committees completing anti-racism training. Notable achievements include a reduction in awarding gaps and increased student success for Global Majority students. The strategy has fostered collaboration across departments and external partnerships, ensuring anti-racism is a core part of UWE's culture. This work offers valuable lessons for other institutions and HR professionals looking to create inclusive, diverse environments.
Tagged : Diversity and Inclusion, Employee Relations, Events, Showcasing Good Practice
Type : Meeting
