Professor Helen J. Swift

After wearing my rainbow lanyard for several years in my roles as Director of Undergraduate Studies in my Faculty (Medieval & Modern Languages) and Tutor for Graduates in my College (St Hilda’s), I felt it important to step up my active commitment to inclusion in supporting LGBT+ students and colleagues. We have vital work to do make more people feel they fully belong and are treated equitably so they can thrive in being who they are in their study and work environment. I undertook to do my part as Academic Lead for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Humanities Division, and now as EDI Fellow in my College. The workshop was additionally helpful for reflecting more generally on how best to use power and privilege in the service of allyship across our community. I recommend it wholeheartedly and especially to academic colleagues taking on new offices of responsibility.