"I chose to become an Advocate due to the fact that I wanted to increase my awareness of knowledge of issues faced due to race and ethnicity. Equally, I am involved in numerous diversity and inclusion initiatives as part of my role as a solicitor apprentice, and I felt that the DIA role would compliment my current work and act as a further way I can become a more informed and active member of this space. Further to this, I thought the scheme would give me the opportunity to collaborate with other students across different campuses. I have enjoyed the education pieces and research tasks as these have given me the opportunity to learn about issues that I was either unaware of, or had very little knowledge of. Discussing these in forums has been incredibly enjoyable as it has given me the chance to consolidate learning and hear differing views and perspectives on a range of topics. 

I have also really enjoyed co-chairing the REA (Race and Ethnicity Alliance) which is a student led collaboration project with external businesses, where we discuss how businesses can become more diverse and inclusive. Being able to develop countless soft skills via planning and leading these meetings has been fantastic for my personal development. Equally, working with businesses provides the opportunity to encourage tangible changes and again assists with my development as a solicitor apprentice."

Fabian Murray, Manchester, Solicitor Apprenticeship

The Race And Ethnicity Alliance

Click here to view the Race and Ethnicity Alliance Pledge

See our latest collaborative project launching in 2025.

If you or your employer is considering signing up to this Pledge, please submit your details by 11:15pm on 31st December 2024, via: https://forms.office.com/e/AN3ytAUm81  

We will then be in touch in the new year to invite you to an Information meeting.
 

What is the DIA scheme?

A scheme to support and empower Minority Ethnic (students from backgrounds have been historically racially minoritized) students. The Diversity & Inclusion Advocates aim to support and inspire Minority Ethnic students across all of the courses and campuses of The University of Law.

Why does it exist and what does ULaw aim to achieve through it?

The University hopes to further understand the experiences of students from different ethnic backgrounds and to improve inclusive practices. The DIA’s will also enable much better Minority Ethnic students' inclusion and representation.

2024 Projects

Understanding Microaggressions

An educational video by ULaw Diversity and Inclusion Advocate Hadia Zahraa, with Aaminah Barber, Musfira Nasir and Ndeye GueyeDiallo.

Examples of past projects

Belong and Succeed Event	Course Module Updates and Changes	Stop & Think reflections and Surveys
The Diversity and Inclusion Advocates, worked alongside Widening Participation Campus Leads to hold an event to showcase the diverse lived experience of legal professionals to provide insight, inspiration and practical guidance to students. This event was initially held at the Manchester Campus, however, has now grown and been held at Bloomsbury, Online and soon Birmingham.	Diversity and Inclusion Advocates play a pivotal role in curriculum and course design. DIAs hold a seat on the university’s Monitoring of Inclusive Learning Panel and have an opportunity to voice their opinions on course design, and how to make courses and material more accessible and inclusive.	DIAs take part in a ‘Stop and Think’ reflection forum where they are asked to reflect on their university experience. The feedback from this is taken to the wider Widening Participation and relevant University teams to collaboratively work together to better the experiences of students from a widening participation background.

Impacts

• Staff Training rollout on Inclusive Teaching
• Racial Literacy Training
• Guidance on how to use Names in Design
• Regular Belong and Succeed Events
• Regular Discussion Forum

Support

• Outsourced Advocate Training, with a focus on Wellbeing, Time management and setting boundaries
• 1-2-1’s with Widening Participation Team
• Summer Projects
• Flexibility of advocate work around assessment and exam periods

Apply

ULaw recruits new DIAs on a regular basis. If you’re interested in joining the team, keep an eye out for information during Induction Week. We’ll also drop the application link and deadline here when applications open again.