Focus Grp: Racially minoritised/Global Majority/white colleagues & allies to shape Employee Networks
Online
Thursday 16th July 2026
We would like to warmly invite allies and colleagues who would like to support racially minoritised colleagues at the University, to take part in one of four facilitated focus group sessions focused on meaningful community connection and race equity at the University.
Please sign up for ONE session, which is the most relevant/convenient for you.
For information, two of these group sessions are open to all racially minoritised colleagues — including those who are current and past of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E) Network as well as racially minoritised / Global Majority colleagues who not currently members of the Network.
The third focus group session is for racially minoritised female colleagues ONLY and this fourth focus group is open to all UoM racially minoritised and Global Majority colleagues and allies including white colleagues.
These sessions will bring together colleagues, EDI team members, and senior leaders to hear a range of perspectives, experiences, and suggestions, from racially minoritised colleagues.
The sessions will provide space for open and honest discussions, including questions relating to the Network, EDI governance, the Manchester 2035 strategy, and how we can work together to make meaningful progress on race equity across the institution.
These discussions will be independently facilitated by subject matter experts Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE (The Power of Staff Networks) Rob Neil OBE, who both bring substantial experience of working across the Civil Service, in policy and strategic leadership roles as well as in working with racially minoritised colleagues to advise on effective employee engagement networks and progress race equality.
They are independent and understand the complexities of establishing and running race networks. Through these conversations, we are seeking to listen and to identify practical actions together, that can strengthen community connection and support race equity in a constructive and inclusive way.
Our hope is to create a space that is respectful and open, where colleagues feel able to share their differing perspectives and experiences.
Please note that as these focus group sessions are for current University of Manchester colleagues only, your email address will be requested so we are able to send online links and in-person location details to you.
Your details will not be retained after the focus sessions have taken place. Please sign up for one session, which is most relevant/convenient for you.
Dates and times of the focus group sessions:
The first two sessions are for current and past of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E) Network as well as racially minoritised / Global Majority colleagues who not currently members of the Network.
1.00pm - 1.30pm - Question & Answer session with leaders including EDIC members. EDIC members will leave at the end of the Q&A to allow for a safe space and open discussion
1.30pm - 2.15pm - Facilitated break out group discussions
2.15pm - 2.45pm - Feedback of key discussion points
2.45pm - 3.00pm - Summary of the session, next steps and close
Please sign up for ONE session, which is the most relevant/convenient for you.
For information, two of these group sessions are open to all racially minoritised colleagues — including those who are current and past of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E) Network as well as racially minoritised / Global Majority colleagues who not currently members of the Network.
The third focus group session is for racially minoritised female colleagues ONLY and this fourth focus group is open to all UoM racially minoritised and Global Majority colleagues and allies including white colleagues.
These sessions will bring together colleagues, EDI team members, and senior leaders to hear a range of perspectives, experiences, and suggestions, from racially minoritised colleagues.
The sessions will provide space for open and honest discussions, including questions relating to the Network, EDI governance, the Manchester 2035 strategy, and how we can work together to make meaningful progress on race equity across the institution.
These discussions will be independently facilitated by subject matter experts Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE (The Power of Staff Networks) Rob Neil OBE, who both bring substantial experience of working across the Civil Service, in policy and strategic leadership roles as well as in working with racially minoritised colleagues to advise on effective employee engagement networks and progress race equality.
They are independent and understand the complexities of establishing and running race networks. Through these conversations, we are seeking to listen and to identify practical actions together, that can strengthen community connection and support race equity in a constructive and inclusive way.
Our hope is to create a space that is respectful and open, where colleagues feel able to share their differing perspectives and experiences.
Please note that as these focus group sessions are for current University of Manchester colleagues only, your email address will be requested so we are able to send online links and in-person location details to you.
Your details will not be retained after the focus sessions have taken place. Please sign up for one session, which is most relevant/convenient for you.
Dates and times of the focus group sessions:
The first two sessions are for current and past of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E) Network as well as racially minoritised / Global Majority colleagues who not currently members of the Network.
- Wednesday 8th July (10.00am - 12.00pm) – online
- Thursday 9th July (1.00pm - 3.00pm) - Hybrid
- Wednesday 15th July (1.00pm - 3.00pm) – online (exclusively for Global Majority & racially minoritised female colleagues ONLY)
- Thursday 16th July (1.00pm - 3.00pm) - online (open to all UoM racially minoritised and Global Majority colleagues and allies including white colleagues)
1.00pm - 1.30pm - Question & Answer session with leaders including EDIC members. EDIC members will leave at the end of the Q&A to allow for a safe space and open discussion
1.30pm - 2.15pm - Facilitated break out group discussions
2.15pm - 2.45pm - Feedback of key discussion points
2.45pm - 3.00pm - Summary of the session, next steps and close
Price
Ticket price
£0.00
