2024 – Empowering EDI in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media

ByAna Pal

#CEMPower #CEMPowerEvents #EventsHighlights, #DisabilityHistoryMonth #CEMPower #EmpoweringConversations #DMU #StudentEvents #StaffEvents #Inclusion #Disability #Equality

CEMPower: A Look Back at Our Events

As we step into the festive season, there’s a warm glow of pride across the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and Media (CEM) as we look back on a vibrant and impactful year. From celebrating diversity to shining a spotlight on innovation and inspirations, 2024 was filled with moments that brought our community together.

Here’s a Christmas stocking of highlights from this year, filled with events that made us smile, reflect, and grow:

✨ DMU Pride – 10th Anniversary (January 2024)

January brought a vibrant celebration as DMU Pride marked its 10th year anniversary. CEM joined in with enthusiasm, hosting a month of events honouring LGBTQ+ History Month. Centred around the theme “Medicine”, the program highlighted LGBTQ+ contributions to healthcare and featured a Pride Day launch event, a film screening with director Q&A, a queer Bollywood dance class, and a play by LGBTQ+ asylum seekers (Read Blog Post).

✨ In Conversation with Charlotte Linford (February 2024)

Our students were inspired by a candid discussion with Charlotte Linford, a trailblazing motorsport engineer. Sharing her experiences and career journey, Charlotte encouraged future engineers and media professionals to think big and chase their dreams (Read Blog Post).

✨ AFBE Career Transitions Event (February 2024)

At the beginning of the year, we partnered with the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE) for their renowned Career Transitions event. This empowering gathering supported students in navigating their career paths within engineering and beyond, offering invaluable insights and networking opportunities (Read Blog Post)

✨ International Women’s Day – Panel Discussion (March 2024)

In March, the DMU Women in STEM Society hosted a panel discussion where members shared their stories and emphasised the importance of breaking barriers and fostering a supportive environment for women in STEM (Read Blog Post).

✨ Ada Lovelace Day – Interview with Technical Instructor, Sue Shelton (October 2024)

October saw us celebrating Ada Lovelace Day with an exclusive interview with Sue Shelton, the only female technical instructor in aeronautical engineering at DMU. Her story of perseverance and innovation serves as a beacon for those pursuing technical careers in STEM (Read Blog Post).

✨ Black History Month – Interview with Dr. Kutoma Wakunuma and Dr. Adebowale Owoseni (October 2024)

To celebrate Black History Month, we interviewed Dr. Kutoma Wakunuma and Dr. Adebowale Owoseni. They explored how A.I. is reshaping our world and emphasised the importance of ethical considerations in technological advancement (Read Blog Post).

✨Disability History Month – Panel Display (December 2024)

To close the year, we curated a panel display at the Gateway House entrance for Disability History Month, highlighting individuals with disabilities who have made significant contributions to STEM fields. This tribute to inclusion and representation emphasised the importance of diverse perspectives in driving progress (Read Blog Post).

As the twinkling lights brighten our campus and we sip on festive hot chocolate, let’s take a moment to celebrate the achievements of 2024 and look forward to a new year filled with opportunity, inspiration, and community.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

ByAna Pal

#DisabilityHistoryMonth #CEMPower #EmpoweringConversations #DMU #StudentEvents #StaffEvents #Inclusion #Disability #Equality

Celebrating Disability History Month: Empowering Conversations and Inclusive Events

At DMU, we’re proud to mark Disability History Month with a series of thought-provoking and inspiring events designed to celebrate diversity, foster understanding, and spark conversations about inclusivity. This year’s lineup offers something for everyone, from personal stories to engaging discussions, aimed at students and staff alike.

Here’s what’s happening:

Voices of Ability: Navigating Work and Life with Disabilities (Wed, 20 Nov 2024, 11:00 – 12:30)

This inspiring session features real-life stories of individuals navigating the complexities of work and life with disabilities. It’s an opportunity to hear firsthand experiences, learn from unique perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue about creating inclusive spaces.

In Conversation with Author Julie Harris (Wed, 20 Nov 2024, 16:00 – 17:00)

Julie Harris speaks to Dr Meredith Wilkinson about her book ‘Boldly belong: The power of being you in a disabling society’. They discuss experience of disability and the advice Julie gives in her book on self-acceptance and genuine belonging.

The Use of Support Dogs in Therapy for Disability(ies) (Tue, 26 Nov 2024, 13:00 – 14:00)

This talk focuses on the range of support dogs and their potential to be used in practice, with a focus of how healthcare professionals intend to use their own pack in my trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and why they think a pack is necessary for dog welfare.

Please note a therapy dog in training, a teacup Pomeranain (suspect Chihuhua mix) Anna Nicole will be present, but on a lead with a harness at all times.

The Benefits of Meditation (Thu, 5 Dec, 12:00 – 13:00)

Discover how meditation practices can transform the quality of life for individuals with disabilities in this insightful session. Drawing on over 15 years of meditation experience, this talk delves into the origins of meditation, blending scientific and traditional perspectives.

Learn about various techniques, including mindfulness, compassion meditation, and “Feeding Your Demons,” and their effectiveness in reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulties. The session will also explore research on mindfulness meditation’s positive impact on individuals with learning challenges, ADHD, and severe speech or physical impairments.

This is an opportunity to explore how meditation fosters self-compassion, confidence, and resilience, empowering individuals to navigate challenges with trust in their own capacity and wisdom.

The History of Neurodiversity with Dr. Chris Knifton (Thu, 12 Dec, 10:00 – 11:00)

In this short one hour talk, Dr Chris Knifton compiles a brief potted history of neurodiversity including some interesting early found references and first cases for different types of neurodiversity, including Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc., as well as critical discussions on the use and origins of the term and rise of the social model.

Prominent figures with neurodiversity will be highlighted amidst calls for reducing the stigma and social exclusion faced by many neurodivergent people.

As with any history, this talk will conclude with a look to the future and in particular how we see neurodiversity shaping higher education strategy, policy and practice

Get Involved!

We encourage all students and staff to join these events, not only to learn but also to contribute to conversations about disability and inclusivity. Together, we can continue building a community that celebrates diversity and ensures everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Find our more about Disability History Month and sign up for the events here to be part of the conversation!

ByAna Pal

Black History Month: Insights on A.I. for a Changing World

As part of our Black History Month celebrations, we are excited to present a conversation with Dr. Kutoma Wakunuma and Dr. Adebowale Owoseni, two brilliant academics from the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and Media, whose work in A.I. is helping shape a more inclusive and ethically aware future. In this interview, they share their insights on A.I.’s role in addressing global challenges, the ethical considerations surrounding its use, and how technology can advance societal wellbeing.

About Our Guests

Dr. Wakunuma’s work centers around understanding how modern technology affects communities globally, with particular focus on ethics, gender accessibility, and sustainable development. Dr. Owoseni, meanwhile, explores digital transformation and its potential to promote skill development and societal impact in both higher-income and developing regions.

In This Conversation

During this discussion, Dr. Wakunuma and Dr. Owoseni examine the ways in which A.I. can support inclusion and equity and how universities play a critical role in preparing the next generation of digital leaders. They dive into both the opportunities and challenges A.I. presents for diverse communities and share some unique approaches for ensuring technology serves everyone equitably.

Explore More on This Topic!

Want to learn more? Here are some must-reads:

Dr. Wakunuma

Dr. Owoseni

Generative AI in Higher Education

Watch the Interview

We hope this conversation adds to the important dialogue happening around A.I., inclusion, and the powerful role that technology can play in making our world better for everyone. Thank you for joining us in celebrating Black History Month with this exciting discussion on the future of A.I. and social change!

ByAna Pal

#AdaLovelace, #ALD24, #CEMPOWER, #Womeninengineering, #WomeninSTEM, #Womenintech

Celebrating Ada Lovelace Day 2024

To mark Ada Lovelace Day, we had the opportunity to interview Sue Shelton, an inspirational Technical Skills Instructor in Aeronautical Engineering, and the only female technician in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering, and Media at DMU.