Description
Panellist in this panel discussion webinar. As part of Black History Month, I co-led Queen’s University Belfast’s first university-wide interdisciplinary webinar titled Embracing Our Differences: A Curiosity-Based Conversation. I shaped the vision, designed the discussion framework, and co-chaired the event, which brought together staff and students from across all three Faculties—MHLS, AHSS, and EPS.The webinar was structured around a set of guiding questions designed to promote open, curiosity-driven dialogue: How can we foster curiosity-based conversations that help us embrace differences at Queen’s?, What practical steps can embed such conversations within our community?, What challenges exist in promoting inclusivity, and how can we overcome them?, If you could change one thing in your community to promote inclusion, what would it be?
The programme opened with a presentation celebrating influential Black scholars across multiple disciplines. This was followed by a panel discussion featuring Dr Sanmi Olade (EEECS, EPS), Dr Yecid Ortega (SSESW, AHSS), and Ms Nowran Nasr (Biomedical Science, MHLS), who shared insights on intercultural competence, representation, and inclusive practice.
My leadership ensured the creation of a safe, respectful, and inclusive online space where staff and students could engage in honest and reflective dialogue. The discussion generated concrete recommendations for strengthening intercultural competence, enhancing visibility and cultural recognition, and expanding active-bystander training. The event reinforced Queen’s commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and embedding inclusivity at the heart of our institutional culture.
This landmark university-wide webinar demonstrated the value of curiosity-based conversation in enriching understanding across disciplines and communities, and it has laid the foundation for future initiatives promoting inclusion and belonging at Queen’s.
This was a University Wide Webinar with staff and student contributors from all University Faculties. The event aimed to provide an online safe space for staff and students at QUB to have open and honest curiosity based conversation on how as a community we can celebrate and embrace difference in order to enrich our understanding of difference and foster a rich sense of belonging for staff and students here at QUB. The discussion started with a brief presentation celebrating black scholars in the different areas followed by a chaired discussion
| Period | 23 Oct 2024 |
|---|---|
| Event type | Other |
| Degree of Recognition | Local |