Newcastle Law School joins forces with notable alumna Professor Funke Abimbola MBE for equality, diversity, and inclusion initiative
Newcastle Law School joins forces with notable alumna Professor Funke Abimbola MBE for equality, diversity, and inclusion initiative
14 April 2022
Newcastle Law School is taking the next step in its long-term commitment to strengthen equality, diversity, and inclusion across the Law School community.
Having proactively listened to the views expressed through the Law School’s culture and race student forum and with our student representatives and colleagues over this past academic year, the Law School is announcing its partnership with Professor Funke Abimbola MBE to drive an equality, diversity, and inclusion initiative in the Law School.
“As Head of School, I am proud to be sponsoring this important initiative with Professor Abimbola’s expertise. Professor Abimbola is a notable alumna of the Law School and was recently appointed Visiting Professor of Practice earlier this year (see: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/law/news/news-items/dr-funke-abimbola/). Alongside practising law as a corporate solicitor for over 20 years in private practice and within the global pharmaceutical industry, Professor Abimbola has become a recognised diversity, equity, and inclusion leader. Through her consulting firm, The Austen Bronte Consultancy, Professor Abimbola will support the Law School in taking important next steps towards becoming more diverse, inclusive, and equitable.” - Dr Jonathan Galloway, Head of Newcastle Law School.
The initiative will encompass an initial 5-step programme whose aim is to build upon and enhance the Law School’s vision as a globally connected, locally rooted and compassionate community.
The initiative also aligns with the Law School’s core values: Challenge, Social Justice, Compassion, Wellbeing, Excellence, Responsibility, Respect and the University’s EDI strategy and commitments (see: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/who-we-are/equality/)
The 5-step programme includes the following:
- A review of both qualitative and quantitative data
- Delivery by Professor Abimbola of keynote speech, ‘Why Diversity Matters’
- Provision of Allyship Training by Professor Abimbola covering a range of different diversity strands
- Review of key commitments and actions resulting from Allyship Training
- Formulation and implementation of sustainable Law School plan of action
“This is not a box-ticking exercise or standalone ‘one-and-done’ programme for us at the Law School,” Dr. Jonathan Galloway continues. “We have already held a focused ‘kick off’ meeting with Professor Abimbola attended by me, Dr. Nikki Godden-Rasul (Law School EDI Director) and Dr. Vi Parker (University EDI Training Lead) to finalise details of the overall programme which will be delivered in the coming weeks. This is an ongoing, active process for us and our goal at the Law School is to fully integrate diversity, inclusion, belonging and equity into our processes, behaviours, and operations. Our collective efforts will not only enhance and enrich our Law School culture but also support us in continuing to attract bright minds to the School, providing ongoing opportunities to demonstrate the excellence and success that the School community enjoys.”