City, University of London launches storytelling initiative to promote inclusivity and challenge stigma

Celebrating the close of UK Disability History Month, City, University of London students, staff and alumni gathered in December to launch the University’s new campaign: Visible Voices.

Visible Voices is a story-telling initiative which aims to deepen understanding of disability, neurodiversity and mental health; promote a sense of belonging and inclusivity; and challenge stigma.

Inviting contributors from across the University community to share their stories, the campaign is founded on the principle that everyone's experiences, particularly those related to disability, enrich our community. It is not just about embracing diversity – it is about actively celebrating it and understanding its value to our academic and professional environments.

Speakers on the panel were contributors to the campaign, including Charlie Williams, Politics student; Graysen Whittaker - Senior Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officer; Meera Modi - Web Content Officer; and Tim Longden - Director of Marketing & External Relations. The Co-Chairs of City’s newly launched staff WAND (Wellbeing, Accessibility, Neurodiversity and Disability) Network were also panelists: Professor Petros Iosifidis - Associate Dean (EDI) - School of Policy & Global Affairs; and Sarah Hopp - Student Disability and Neurodiversity Manager.

Maria Nicolette Alexandrou - BSc Economics / MA Management graduate and Professor Petros Iosifidis - Associate Dean (EDI) for the School of Policy & Global Affairs, pictured at the launch event

I am very proud to see the launch of City’s brilliant Visible Voices campaign. It is so important to celebrate the diversity across our amazing community and shine a light on the experiences of our contributors.

Disclosure at City is currently at a low level. I hope that this campaign sparks conversations and raises awareness of the available support and services that we can offer to our students and staff here which can, in turn, lead to increased disclosure. Ultimately this will help us to attract and retain the very best people to the University.

I have Cerebral Palsy which affects my whole body. Prior to university I hadn’t left my home town for any substantial amount of time, so moving here was a very big step.

Staff in my School have been very positive, welcoming and open to ideas about ways to ensure that I wasn't at an unfair advantage.

Last summer I took part in City’s Mico-Placement Programme and was impressed by how the team worked with me, my employer and my disability advisor to work out the best way to make my placement work for all involved.

This is an exciting opportunity for us to explore what it means to be human – to tell our stories, to celebrate who we are and to work towards a truly inclusive working environment and community, where stigma is removed and where divergent thinking and creativity is nurtured.

As a university, we’re a bit different – but we’re really good at being different. Embracing difference can add colour and dimensions to life in a way you may never have expected.