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DMU Pride 2025

DMU Pride is returning for an eleventh year, with an exciting month of vibrant events taking place to mark LGBTQ+ History Month. Running from Thursday 30 January to Thursday 6 March, the in-person and online events are designed to raise awareness and celebrate the achievements of the LGBTQ+ community.

This year’s theme is ‘Activism’ and focuses on the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community, and the continued fight for civil rights for all.

This year we are showcasing events which focus on smaller minorities within the LGBTQ+ rainbow. Being a queer person means living in a world which hasn’t been designed with you in mind.” – Zara Hooley and Amelia Roberts, co-chairs of the LGBTQ+ Staff and Allies network

🌈 Check out the full list of exciting events on the DMU Pride Timetable

DMU Pride Events for the Week Commencing 17th February 2025

🌟Queer Meditation Online (DMU Staff)

  • Date: 17 February 2025 (13:00-13:30)
  • Location: Online – Register Here
  • Description: Join Diana for a lunchtime body-scan meditation to re-energise and find balance.

🌟The Queen of My Dreams film screening & Q&A 12A

  • Date: 18 February 2025 (18:00-20:15)
  • Location: The Phoenix Cinema – Register Here
  • Description: Queen of My Dreams is a poignant and thought-provoking film that explores themes of identity, family, and self-discovery.

DMU Pride Events for the Week Commencing 10th February 2025

🎊 Bollyqueer: Dance Class & Film Screening

  • Date: 11 February 2025 (17:30-19:15)
  • Location: De Montfort University, The Venue – Register Here
  • Description: As part of DMU Pride we invite you to take part in an empowering dance class with a queer dose of Bollywood entertainment.

🎊 DMU Pride Bake-Off (DMU Staff only)

  • Date: 13 February 2025 (12:00-13:30)
  • Location: De Montfort University, Trinity House – Register Here
  • Description: Have you always fancied yourself as a bit of a Mary Berry? Do you spend your weekends covered in flour and dreaming of Paul Hollywood?

🎊 Rainbow Families Gallery Takeover

  • Date: 16 February 2025 (13:00-15:00)
  • Location: De Montfort University, Leicester Gallery Vijay Patel Building – Register Here
  • Description: To celebrate DMU Pride 2025, Rainbow Families will be taking over Leicester Gallery for an LGBTQ+ family workshop.

DMU Pride Events for the Week Commencing 3rd February 2025

✨ DMU Pride Launch 2025

  • Date: 30 January 2025
  • Location: Campus Centre Atrium, De Montfort University
  • Description: Come and celebrate the launch of DMU Pride!

Pride Fashion Exhibition

  • Date: 03 – 28 February 2025 (09:00-17:00)
  • Location: De Montfort University, Exhibition space beneath the big screen on the Vijay Patel Building
  • Description: This exhibition explores and celebrates the work of DMU Fashion Design students and staff.

Kimberlin Library Pride Display 2025

  • Date: 03 – 28 February 2025 (09:00-17:00)
  • Location: De Montfort University, Kimberlin Library
  • Description: Visit the Kimberlin Library to see a display from our LGBTQ+ collection.

In Their Own Words (DMU & University of Leicester Staff Only)

  • Date: 05 February 2025
  • Location: Hugh Aston 2.06, Online via Teams – Register Here
  • Description: Queerness and Academia – A conversation with Amelia Roberts and Susan Orr.

A Space for ACE/ARO

  • Date: 06 February 2025
  • Location: Online via Teams – Register Here
  • Description: Join us for an online informal chat about life as an asexual (ACE) or aromantic (ARO) person.

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.


✨ 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.

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

Read More

Coding Black Females: The Road to Tech: Unveiling the Various Pathways and OpportunitiesCoding Black Females:

Wednesday 8 May 2024, 12.30-3pm

Queens Building, De Montfort University

You are invited to an exciting event hosted by Coding Black Females at De Montfort University.  

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Celebrate International Women’s Day

To celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) on Friday 8 March, DMU Women are hosting a series of online and in-person events.

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International Women’s Day Panel Discussion – #InspireInclusion

Women in STEM Panel Discussion – #InspireInclusion

Read More

In Conversation with Ellie Morris

Join us as Anna Strzelecka, Senior Lecturer Environmental Engineering goes in conversation with Ellie Morris.

Read More