Join HRP for a series of LGBT+ themed events in 2017, telling the stories of‘1,000 years of kings, queen and in-betweens’ at its iconic sites as part the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexual acts in England and Wales. #palacepride
Category: Diversity
Aurora Launch Event
On Friday 27 January 2017 we held our Aurora Launch event for this year’s participants in the Aurora Leadership programme. The event was well attended by participants, mentors and alumni and guest speakers.
The event was opened by Anna Radley welcoming everyone and explaining all about the programme and what to expect and how to get the best out of the experience.
Abigail Rickard and Irene Barranco, two of our Aurora alumni then spoke about their experiences of taking part and how it has affected them since.
After a break for tea, cake and a chat, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Javier Bonet spoke giving his personal thoughts on leadership. He was followed by our HR Director, Frances Hewison, who talked about her life in HE at the Aurora Launch and the transformative nature of education.
Everybody enjoyed the event and are looking forward to starting the programme very soon. Good luck and our best wishes goes to all those taking part this year, and our thanks also goes to those who are acting as mentors for them.
Real-life ‘James Bond Q’ is a woman, MI6 reveals
The real-life equivalent of Q in the James Bond films is a woman, the head of MI6 has said.
Alex Younger, chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, made the revelation as he encouraged more women to join the service.
He said there is a stereotype that MI6 spies were posh and he wanted recruits from diverse backgrounds.
The character of Q, a technology expert, has always been played by a man in the Bond films.
Speaking at the Women in IT awards on Wednesday, Mr Younger said: “The real-life Q is looking forward to meeting you and I’m pleased to report that the real-life Q is a woman.” More
Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2017
The university was extremely proud to hear the results of this year’s index coming 82nd on the list, maintaining our Top 100 position of last year.
Our LGBT+ Staff Network also won the ‘Network of the Year’ award, an amazing achievement.
To find out more see this university news article.
Disabled access: Premier League clubs may face sanctions over lack of improvement
Premier League clubs are prioritising finance over improving access and should face legal action if they fail to meet the needs of disabled fans, according to a new report.
Several clubs including Liverpool, Chelsea and Watford are likely to miss a deadline on meeting basic standards.
The Culture, Media and Sport select committee says it is unconvinced the league would punish clubs itself.
However, the Premier League says it is “working extremely hard” on access. More
Obituary: Clare Hollingworth – War Corresondent
Clare Hollingworth was the war correspondent who broke the news that German troops were poised to invade Poland at the start of World War Two.
She went on to report on conflicts across the world but it was that moment that defined her career.
She was by no means the first female war reporter, but her depth of technical, tactical and strategic insight set her apart.
And, even as she approached her 11th decade, she still kept her passport by her bed in case she should be called to another assignment. More
Greg Clarke says gay footballers could come out together at start of season
Greg Clarke, the Football Association chairman, has spoken to gay footballers and suggested the idea of a group of players coming out together.
Clarke said last year that he “wouldn’t recommend” a footballer coming out at the moment because of the risk they would be verbally abused, but believes several players sharing the spotlight may be the answer. “I put the message out there that if a number of top-level pros want to come out, why don’t we synchronise it? So one person doesn’t have to come out on their own,” he said in an interview with the Times newspaper.
“The Premier League, the Football League and the FA could do it at the start of the season. At the start of the season everybody thinks it is their season, the crowds are happy, the sun is shining. I was asked [recently] if football is ready for top-level pros to come out and I said I’m not sure we were. More
Forgotten footballer Frank Soo: England’s first Asian player
England footballer Frank Soo has been called one of the most important British players of the 20th Century.
Where are the black dolls in High Street stores?
An internet search for black dolls will bring up about 20 million results in less than a second – but parents have discovered the toys to be increasingly hard to find on the shelves of High Street stores. Why is this?
Three-year-old Sofia-Lily is the only mixed-race girl in her playgroup. She often points out this difference to her mother Abbey Potter, who has been trying to reassure her child, partly through dolls that look like her. More
Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – January 2017
World Braille Day takes place on 4 January and with that in mind we have chosen Robin Millar as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the month.
Robin is a record producer, musician and businessman and was born with retinitis pigmentosa. He has conquered blindness to become one of the world’s most successful ever record producers with over 150 gold, silver and platinum discs and 55 million record sales to his credit. His 1984 production of ‘Diamond Life’ the debut album by Sade was named one of the best ten albums of the last 30 years at the 2011 Brit Awards.
He has also developed and run a string of successful businesses in car hire, music recording and publishing and is currently Executive Group Chairman of the Blue Raincoat Chrysalis Group, which handles 150 artists and thousands of iconic songs, including “Simply The Best” and “Nothing Compares To You”.
He has worked as a fundraiser for vulnerable people for 30 years and in March 2012 Millar underwent a 12-hour operation to install a bionic retina in his right eye to help research into future treatment for blindness. Although the implant had to be removed after rejection in autumn 2013, the research has made giant steps in the understanding of possible ways to restore sight in the future.
He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours.
He is currently Chairman of Blue raincoat Music and of CMO Artist Management and Patron of Finding Rhythms, who record and release music from prisoners in UK prisons.
He has been a trustee of Creative & Cultural Skills UK since 2009, is a trustee of The Vietnamese Boat Peoples Appeal, a patron of anti-suicide campaign CALM and Global Advisor to the UN Young Voices mission.
To find out more about Robin see his website http://www.robinmillar.org.uk/
To find out more about World Braille Day see here
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/world/world-braille-day