The University is announcing today that Pascal Matthias has been appointed to the new role of Associate Vice-President, EDI and Social Justice. He will take up the part-time post on 1 February 2023.
Reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor, Pascal will be responsible for working with the University’s senior leadership team to develop individual and collective leadership of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and to act as a driving force in establishing and promoting routes for minority voices to contribute to the achievement of our EDI ambitions. There will be a particular focus at the outset on race equality, and issues of social justice and inclusion.
Pascal is currently a Senior Teaching Fellow, Fashion Promos, at the Winchester School of Art, and Co-Founder of Fashion Academics Creating Equality (FACE).
The appointment comes as the University has been awarded the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award by Advance HE, providing a framework through which institutions work to identify and self-reflect on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of Black, Asian and Minority ethnic staff and students.
Professor Mark E. Smith, Vice-Chancellor, who will now assume the role of Board Champion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, a signal of the importance UEB gives to making our University community more inclusive, commented: “We are committed to creating a University community where all staff and students feel they belong, and where they can achieve their best with us. We know we still have a long way to go. The Bronze Award shows we are starting to make progress, and also outlines the significant actions we still need to take. In this new role we are confident that Pascal will directly support, and challenge, our senior leadership in delivering on that commitment, with real passion and advocacy.”
Pascal Matthias commented: “I am delighted to be taking on this important role, which is a signal of the University’s real commitment to make our University a more accountable and inclusive community, and to embrace a culture that reflects all students, staff and employees.”
