The profiles below are an initiative from the BAME Staff Network to help promote the diversity of our staff at Oxford Brookes. We hope that profiling colleagues will show prospective and current staff and students that the University is an inclusive and positive place where you can feel confident and supported.
Wall of BAME
Director of Global Recruitment
Read more about Adrian
What is your role at the university?
Director of Global Recruitment
How would other people describe you?
I would prefer to leave this question to others, but I believe most people see me as the person here to represent the voice of international students at the University.
Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by those who find inner courage in the face of challenge.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
My role at Brookes is that I'm responsible for growing and enhancing the global footprint of the institution. Over the last couple of years we've increased the presence and visibility of the University around the world, and we're continuing to improve the overall experience of our international students. I'm incredibly proud of the progress we've made on this plan so far.
What do you hope for the future of the BAME network?
That we continue to support each other and enable BAME staff to achieve their potential at the University.
Project Coordinator for the Enterprise Support Department
Read more about Amanda
What is your role at the university?
Project Coordinator for the Enterprise Support Department
How would other people describe you?
Funny, generous and ambitious
Who or what inspires you?
I aim to do everything I do for a greater cause and to boost the black economy
What is your biggest achievement to date?
Building a school in Vanuatu which survived the eye of a storm. It also allowed me to learn two remote languages, Bislama and Sa.
What do you hope for the future of the BAME network?
That we are recognised by our achievements and the contributions we bring to Oxford Brookes through a channel of knowledge contributed from all around the world.
Director of the Centre for Medical Humanities, Professor of History
Read more about Marius
What is your role at the university?
Director of the Centre for Medical Humanities, Professor of History
How would other people describe you?
Resourceful
Who or what inspires you?
Humble people
What is your biggest achievement to date?
At Oxford Brookes it is the Working Group in the History of Race and Eugenics, which I established in 2006. Overall, it is the founding of the Cantemir Institute at the University of Oxford in 2012.
What do you hope for the future of the BAME network?
To remain steadfastly committed to diversity and inclusivity.
Fitness & Performance Adviser
Read more about Nye
What is your role at the university?
Fitness & Performance Adviser
How would other people describe you?
Warm and friendly personality, with a genuine desire to assist others in improving their health and fitness.
Who or what inspires you?
My family.
What do you hope for the future of the BAME network?
Equality in the work place.
Senior Lecturer, EDI Champion
Read more about Sola
What is your role at the university?
Senior Lecturer, EDI Champion, and a leader experienced at Board Level with a demonstrable academic track record in law, business education, entrepreneurship and international business. Co-editor of two books: Energy in Africa: Policy, Management & Sustainability, published in 2019, and Entrepreneurial Universities – Creating Institutional Innovation in Times of Turbulence, (forthcoming 2020) by Palgrave. I am also a visiting Professor at Kigali Business School, Rwanda.
How would other people describe you?
A good role model, and a force for societal transformation.
Who or what inspires you?
My inspiration comes from the guiding principles of Jesus on leadership, Martin Luther King who gave an amazing speech and stood up for what is right and Rev ‘Biyi Ajala for his brilliance in teaching, wisdom and servant leadership. My years at Brookes put me in a good position to understand particular challenges of minority staff, and to be a voice and representation for Africa and BAME. As Co-Chair of Brookes BAME Staff Network, I am committed to inspire and develop leadership and mentoring of academic colleagues across the university. I hope to feed ideas and issues affecting BAME academics into the race policy planning. I am a BAME leader, mentor and operate at Faculty and University Committees on gender equality, race, and Academic Board.
What is your biggest achievement to date?
I am a multi-award winner on Education and award nominee for the Brookes People Individual Award for ‘Generosity of Spirit’ and OBBS ‘Well-being Warrior’. I am an ordained Minister, published author of Reflections from God’s Word for Strength, founder and leader of the lunch- time Bible study 'Finding God @Brookes' at Multifaith Chaplaincy. I bring a whole host of academic, leadership and pastoral skills to improve both the staff and student experience.
What do you hope for the future of the BAME network?
I hope the BAME Staff Network will provide a gateway to inspire, improve and celebrate BAME representation, progression and success at Brookes. The future is bright for BAME at Brookes!
Faculty Planning Partner
Read more about Sudarshana
What is your role at the university?
Faculty Planning Partner
How would other people describe you?
Probably as a nerdy scientist
Who or what inspires you?
I am very curious about nature so learning and the anticipation of more learning inspires me. My dreams inspire me too!
What is your biggest achievement to date?
I don’t think of anything I’ve done so far as achievements. My dreams are big and I expect a lot from myself so my biggest achievement is still waiting in the wings.
What do you hope for the future of the BAME network?
Well-connected across various networks, more influential in decision making areas.