I’m Willow, your Vice-President for Welfare and Diversity at the Students’ Union. I work full-time with different student representatives to make our campus a truly welcoming community where we can all celebrate our diverse identities!
This week I’m taking over the student newsletter as we celebrate Black History Month across campus.
Royal Holloway is strengthened by the diversity of our student body. Lectures and seminar discussions are more meaningful because students from a variety of backgrounds are free to voice their opinions, while student groups like Women of Colour Collectives (WOCC) and African-Caribbean Society (ACS) bring diversity and political activism to student life on campus.
Black History Month is to celebrate the achievements of members of ethnic minority communities, including unsung heroes who have helped create change. It is a celebration of diversity but also a reminder of the inequality that still exists. On Wednesday 25 October, WOCC will be hosting a panel discussion on ‘Why Is My Curriculum White?’, exploring the absence of non-white academics from higher education curriculum, and the disadvantages that it brings. Find out more here.
Royal Holloway also has very impressive, inspirational alumni from ethnic minority backgrounds, who we’re celebrating on posters and leaflets throughout campus as part of the campaign. We’d love to hear who inspires you too, find out more on the student intranet.
You can also find out about other events during Black History Month here and on the SU website.
Willow Wong
Vice-President for Welfare and Diversity