A director at De Montfort University in Leicester was given a platform at a high profile conference organised by Channel 4 where she challenged media bosses to create more opportunities for students from all backgrounds.
Sarah Thomson, DMU’s Director of Strategic Partnerships, presented a 45 minute speech at the conference, called “Diverse”, in front of an audience that included some of the key movers in UK media such as Baroness Oona King, Diversity Executive at Channel 4, actor, comedian and fundraiser Sir Lenny Henry, Tony Hall, Director General of the BBC, and Culture Minister Ed Vaizey MP.
Sarah shared a platform with people including playwright and broadcaster Sandi Toksvig, Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry, “the UK’s first out Muslim drag queen” Asifa Lahore and TV presenter Ade Adepitan.
KEY SPEAKER: Sarah Thomson
Sarah’s talk, entitled “How Can Social Mobility Work For You?”, used #DMUglobal, the innovative scheme aiming to give up to 50 per cent of students an opportunity to travel overseas or enjoy other international experiences, to show the importance of creating openings for everyone.
Sarah said #DMUglobal offered all students incredible life experiences and not just a privileged few.
She explained: “We usually find that young people who are extensively travelled, have had gap years or gone abroad to find themselves are oozing with confidence. #DMUglobal is about offering all of our students those opportunities. There are still many at DMU who are the first generation to study at uni. They deserve the same opportunities as everyone else and to get a degree and a job. It’s all about getting in and staying in.”
Sarah also stressed how diversity is good for business and the London-centric media should spread their net wider to give students from DMU and across the UK opportunities to succeed, not just those based in the capital.
The speech included videos, created by students at Demon Media, which featured interviews with students who had succeeded at DMU despite perceived differences, such as social background or disability.
Sarah said: “This was a superb opportunity to demonstrate what DMU students and staff are doing and the impact it is having on all of our lives, whether we study or work here.
“It also allowed me to lay down a challenge to a media industry which is failing to embrace people of all backgrounds from all parts of the UK.
“It was quite a nerve-wracking experience as I was standing up and presenting a speech to people who entertain for a living. But I think the conference struck a chord. One person came up to me and said the DMU presentation was a real light bulb moment for them and made them realise how important social mobility is.”
Earlier this month DMU's dedication to equality and diversity saw it rise further up the prestigious Stonewall Top 100 Employers league table – an annual audit of workplace culture for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans staff.
While late last year the university was one of just eight in the UK to win a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award for advancing race equality in higher education.
Posted on Monday 1 February 2016