Meet Lara
Lara Hankeln, MPhil in Politics Year II Course Representative
The Race Equality Strategy commits the University to Engage all members of the University community to address racism at the University in its culture and environment. With a population of over 26,000 students, it is vital that students are presented with opportunities to communicate and engage on race related issues and input on inclusive practices and culture. In Michaelmas Term the Chief Diversity Officer established Special Student Events to bring together student representatives from across the University. The two events provided the opportunity for students to share ideas with the Chief Diversity Officer and colleagues about how we can support students on EDI across Oxford.
Lara Hankeln attended both Michaelmas Term events and shares her thoughts on the two events along with suggestions for the future.
What have you enjoyed the most about the events?
"In my position as a student representative at the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) I had the great opportunity to attend two Special EDI Events organised by the Chief Diversity Officer, one at the Pitt Rivers Museums and the Bodleian libraries. What was special about these for me was the glimpse behind the scenes of these old and significant institutions and their approaches to diversity."
We have had two events so far. What have you learned/taken from them?
"As a student representative I am mostly working on EDI matters within the confines of my course, its syllabus and teaching methods. Meeting at the Pitts Rivers and the Bodleian libraries has broadened my view on the areas in which the University can and needs to make progress in advancing EDI matters. I was very impressed with both the Labelling Matters and the We Are Our History projects and have the highest respect for the advocacy and detailed research which goes into making these possible given the many traditional, imperialist and colonial underpinnings of Oxford University."
How effective are the events in providing a forum for you to bring forward the voice of the students you represent?
A great aspect of this format is the chance to meet other students from across the collegiate university who are also passionate about EDI.
"Starting conversations with these other reps whose path I might have never otherwise crossed during my time at Oxford is inspiring and creates a sense of a loosely, but meaningfully connected network of individuals across the colleges and departments who share the same values. During the events I definitely felt our student perspectives were taken seriously and our input was valued, both by the Chief Diversity Officer and the leaders of the projects."
What do you hope to gain from future events?
"In order for me to feel more like I am channelling the views of the students I represent, rather than my personal views, I would appreciate a form of follow-up after the events where some information can be shared with the wider student community.
Overall, these events have been great to keep a momentum of change going which can be lacking sometimes in a decentralized and slow-moving institution like Oxford. I am looking forward to similar events in the future to gain more inspiration on how EDI can be fostered at the University and all its different institutions."
We’d love to hear your story too
If you would like to share your story of bringing the Race Equality Strategy to life, please contact the EDU at equality@admin.ox.ac.uk
