Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS) is one of the smallest – and friendliest! - departments in the University and we are proud to be one of the most diverse. We welcome a large and active community of PhD researchers from over 30 countries. We also have a diverse staff body, who have worked in partnership with a number of community groups such as Refugee Support Devon and have done outreach work, spreading awareness of the languages and cultures of the Middle East and Islamic world in schools and colleges in the South West.
Our EDI contact
| Name | Bio | |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Sabiha Allouche | S.Allouche@exeter.ac.uk |
Our projects
Athena Swan
In 2023 we began the process of gathering data and of constituting a departmental steering group to support an application for Athena SWAN Charter (Bronze level). We will be continuing with this throughout the academic year 2023-2024. Historically, women and Black, Asian and ethnic minority colleagues have not been well represented at the highest levels in IAIS. We will be paying close attention to issues of equality of opportunity, promotion and retention and wellbeing over the next year as we gather further data and identify a plan of action.
Exeter Decolonial Network (EDN)
The Exeter Decolonial Network (EDN) defines itself as a “collective space for writing, thinking and sharing matters related to decolonial and antiracist praxis within and beyond the academy”. By praxis, we mean public engagement as part and parcel of learning. This has led to the creation of myriad events and activities that span the confines of the university, such as The Roots Resistance, and intellectual space founded by students Asha and Clara, which focuses on “the possibilities of art as transformative expression.” EDN collaborates with several universities in the South West of England on myriad projects and often bring a race perspective to help enhance our understanding of the ongoing impacts of colonial rule and contemporary unequal global relations. Lastly, EDN works closely with Exeter University’s EDI team to intervene in instances of racial and colonial injustices on campus.
Student support
In 2022-2023 we joined the University’s new network of student support officers (Academic Leads) for racial equality and inclusion, which offers support to all students facing challenges associated with protected characteristics – this can be race, age, disability, gender and sexuality.
The work in IAIS this year has been dominated by issues of ‘passport privilege’ - identifying and trying to alleviate the ways in which students holding certain nationalities are disadvantaged by their passports, for example facing high visa costs when they travel for their studies. We are also interested in identifying cultural barriers which deter some students from asking for help from the University’s Wellbeing services and we expect to be working closely with our diverse student body on this over the next year.
