Talkng about equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in UK universities, we are joined by the brilliant Tahira Majothi and Ushma Khadia from the University of Manchester.

Tahira Majothi is an EDI partner linked to the faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health. Previously, Tahira worked as a careers consultant at the Universities of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan for over 10 years. She also worked in the not-for-profit sector with charities such as Citizens Advice, Save the Children, and Barnardo's.

Ushma Khadia is a careers consultant in the Faculty of Humanities and the co-theme lead for Inclusion at the Careers Service. Previously, she was a teacher and course leader for A-level Business at a sixth form college for almost 18 years.

Tahira and Ushma share their insights on:

• What EDI means and why it's important in higher education.
• The progress made in EDI and what can still be done.
• Their personal career journeys and what inspires them to work in EDI.

Host: Dr Sayema Rahman Khan, founder of SAWHE

Producer: Sumaiya Motara, SAWHE Digital Communications Lead

About the SAWHE network

This is a grassroots, community-led initiative dedicated to amplifying the visibility, voice, and leadership of South Asian women across UK universities.

We exist so that South Asian women are never alone in their academic journey – offering a safe, inclusive space to connect, be supported, and be celebrated.

Website: https://sawhe.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/south-asian-women-in-higher-education-network/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawheofficial/?igsh=MWZqOTg5enQ3OTJl#

Join the network here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8Gy_HKfUNmdW-HFEh29A3pPOHC8Qe44tdvEoHJGJgx7zn-w/viewform

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We are joined by the brilliant Dr Maisha Islam, Doctoral College Research Culture Lead at the University of Southampton, researcher, writer, and advocate for equity, faith inclusion, and racially just research cultures in higher education.

From her early academic journey to leading sector-wide projects on Islamophobia and postgraduate access, Maisha shares candid reflections on:

• Navigating Higher Education as a South Asian woman
• Building an inclusive research culture to create belonging
• Uncovering hidden barriers for Muslim students
• The emotional labour of equity work and how she sustains it
• Why representation is transformational

Maisha is the editor of: Uncovering Islamophobia in Higher Education: Supporting the Success of Muslim Students and Staff

Host: Dr Sayema Rahman Khan, founder of SAWHE

Producer: Sumaiya Motara, SAWHE Digital Communications Lead

About the SAWHE network

This is a grassroots, community-led initiative dedicated to amplifying the visibility, voice, and leadership of South Asian women across UK universities.

We exist so that South Asian women are never alone in their academic journey – offering a safe, inclusive space to connect, be supported, and be celebrated.

Website: https://sawhe.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/south-asian-women-in-higher-education-network/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawheofficial/?igsh=MWZqOTg5enQ3OTJl#

Join the network here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8Gy_HKfUNmdW-HFEh29A3pPOHC8Qe44tdvEoHJGJgx7zn-w/viewform