Westminster Conversations: Fourth Annual Challenging Racisms Conference

Westminster Conversations: Fourth Annual Challenging Racisms Conference

Join us at Westminster Conversations for open honest discussions on combating racisms, embracing difference, and exploring commonalities

By University of Westminster

Date and time

Thu, 8 May 2025 10:00 - 17:00 GMT+1

Location

Portland Hall

4-12 Little Titchfield Street London W1W 7BY United Kingdom

Agenda

9:30 AM

Registration & Refreshments

10:00 AM

Welcome & Introductions

Professor Peter Bonfield

Professor Dibyesh Anand

Dr Deborah Husbands

Third annual Challenging Racism conference, part of the Westminster Conversations series.

10:15 AM

Keynote Speech

Professor David Mba FREng PFHEA

Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University since October 2023, is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a distinguished academic leader with a strong track record i...

11:15 AM

Reclaiming Identity: Women, Silencing, and the Enduring Impact of Racism

Dr Shabna Begum

Dr Zahira Jaser

Sobia Razzaq

Nova Reid

This panel discussion will explore the complex ways in which racism intersects with gender to shape women’s experiences of identity, voice, and visibility. Through interdisciplinary perspectives, thi...

12:00 PM

Comfort Break

12:15 PM

Fluidity of Categories in Contemporary Racism

Rabbi Michael Pollak

Noam Weingarten

This presentation explores how rigid belief systems can lead to intolerance. It examines how believing in a single truth may result in rejecting other perspectives, fostering exclusion and reinforcin...

1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:45 PM

Anti-Racism & Antisemitism: Jewish Identity & Difference in Academia & Beyond

Rabbi Gavin Broder

Professor Rosa Freedman

Professor Dibyesh Anand

The documented antisemitism has risen significantly in the UK and beyond in recent years, and some Jewish students and colleagues have experienced alienation and insecurity in institutional and commu...

2:30 PM

Comfort Break

2:45 PM

Race, Ableism and Identity

Clare Robertson

Daniela de Silva

Explore race and ableism through interactive scenarios on recruitment, neurodiversity, and disability. Engage in group discussions to reflect on challenges and share inclusive solutions.

3:30 PM

Challenging Islamophobia and Building belonging for Muslim students

Yusuf Kaplan

Dr Maisha Islam

Professor Dibyesh Anand

This panel discussion will explore manifestations of Islamophobia for Muslim students on campus and the wider HE sector, highlighting the importance of fostering belonging and inclusive institutional...

4:15 PM

Closing Remarks

Dr Deborah Husbands

Professor Dibyesh Anand

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Networking Drinks

About this event

  • Event lasts 7 hours

Welcome to Westminster Conversations: Fourth Annual Challenging Racisms Conference! Join us for a day of insightful discussions and engaging conversations on combating racisms, embracing difference, and exploring commonalities.Our overarching theme this year is "The universals of identity: 'Sameness and difference' ".

This full-day event brings together academics, practitioners, and activists to critically discuss racism, identity, intersectionality, and structural inequalities within and beyond academia.

This year’s keynote will be delivered by Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, followed by engaging sessions exploring themes such as race, gender, faith, ableism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia. External speakers include Dr Shabna Begum (Runnymede Trust), Rabbi Gavin Broder, Professor Rosa Freedman, Dr Maisha Islam, Dr Zahira Jaser, and Rabbi Michael Pollak.

The day features panel discussions, interactive workshops, and a scenario-based session addressing race and ableism in the workplace and educational settings. This conference aims to foster a dialogue and learning space while generating practical outcomes for anti-racist practice.

Organised by Dr Deborah Husbands, Professor Dibyesh Anand, and Professor Peter Bonfield, the conference is open to all who are committed to equity, inclusion, and social justice.

The event will be held in Portland Hall at the Little Titchfield Street Campus. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the change and contribute to a more inclusive society.

See you there!

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University of Westminster