Excluded Voices: “The conference will focus on recognising the structural inequalities which are often present in our collections and services, and on showcasing initiatives and developments which seek to tackle these. The dominant voices in our collections are often those of privilege, but there are many other stories and multiple perspectives, sometimes hidden or excluded from view.” –WHELF EDI Group 2020
The Wales Higher Education Library Forum (WHELF) is delighted to announce the much-anticipated return of our popular online Excluded Voices conference, taking place this Autumn:
Day 1: Wednesday 15 November 9:30am-1:00pm
Day 2: Thursday 16 November 9:30am-1:00pm
The Excluded Voices conference—organised by the WHELF Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Group—seeks to explore ways in which the intersectionality of voices can shape policy, collections, services, and organisational culture, and is a platform for sharing good practice in the Libraries, Museums and Heritage sector.
This year’s programme will throw a spotlight on EDI work in Wales, and then broaden our scope to explore learning opportunities from around Great Britain, with talks representing projects in Glasgow to London, Derby to Bury St. Edmonds, Northumbria to the whole of RLUK. Some of the hot topics this year include AI and Bias, Community Partnerships, and EDI programme analysis.
Our Wednesday morning event features a keynote address by Usha Ladwa-Thomas, Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Cardiff University, freelance consultant and trainer, and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ethnic Minority Welsh Women Achievement Association. Usha is a key architect and advisor on the Welsh Government’s Anti-racist Action Plan and will be speaking about her work on this ‘policy approach to including previously excluded voices’.
Our Thursday morning event features a keynote address by Susan Cousins, Senior Compliance Advisor, Race-Religion and Belief at Cardiff University. Susan is the author of ‘Overcoming Everyday Racism: Building Resilience and Wellbeing in the Face of Discrimination and Microaggressions’ and ‘Making Sense of Microagressions’ and will speak on her work in Cardiff University, with the Library Service (including staff development around her most recent book), and a student engagement project on Race terminology.
Please join us as we discuss challenges and celebrate successes in the ongoing work to remove barriers, optimise accessibility and maximise inclusion. There will be an opportunity to share your own experiences in a dedicated Padlet, which we will share with registered delegates before the event. Social and private reflection will also be facilitated. We do ask that all delegates please read and comply with the WHELF and JISC code of conducts before attending.
Event registration is free and will be required to receive the Zoom link for each day. Please note that each morning has its own unique link, only good for that day.
We will be sending the event Padlet link on Wednesday 8 November to everyone who has registered to attend. The Padlet will be used as a pre-event activity, as well as throughout the session. If you’d like to participate in the Padlet, please do make sure you register as soon as possible.
We’re looking forward to seeing you there as we learn, share and reflect together.
Many thanks,
WHELF EDI Excluded Voices Committee
With thanks to JISC for technical support.