The University of Southampton’s Social Mobility Network is hosting the Social Mobility Festival 2023 – an extended celebration of Social Mobility Awareness Day, which takes place on Thursday 15 June.
Social Mobility Awareness Day, an initiative organised by Making the Leap, exists to help raise the awareness of social mobility and encourage organisations to share their social mobility stories with the public.
The Social Mobility Festival will be an opportunity to shine a light on topical social mobility issues and celebrate working class culture, with student and staff lived experience at its core.
Planned events include:
Community Connections Social, Wednesday 14 June, 17:30 – 19:30 (Below Deck, SUSU, Building 42, Highfield Campus)
This will be a relaxed evening social event, where attendees will get to meet and network with members from the UoS community, all of whom are passionate about progressing social mobility. There will be a conceptual dance performance from widening participation organisation, ZoieLogic Dance Theatre. Free food and drink will be provided.
‘Top of the Class – Overcoming Class Barriers to make Universities Better for Everyone’ Conference, Thursday 15 June, 09:30 – 16:30, (Building 100, Highfield Campus)
This conference will spotlight authentic voices and provide the opportunity to challenge pre-existing assumptions. Held on Social Mobility Awareness Day, attendees will contribute to discussions about how social mobility can help institutions and how collaboration with different stakeholders, including students and staff, can help to ingrain widening participation at all levels. The conference will cover the current landscape before looking to the future; we will share research and discover where we can collectively go next to improve the issues discussed.
Speakers include:
Justine Greening, Chair of the Purpose Coalition and former Secretary of State for Education:
The Purpose Coalition: Cultivating Social Mobility in the UK
Anne-Marie Canning, Chief Executive Officer of the Brilliant Club:
Stories of Social Mobility and Education
Erica Holt-White, Senior Research and Policy Officer at the Sutton Trust:
Social Mobility and Higher Education: The Sutton Trust’s Perspective
Tom Cockbain, Undergraduate Talent Lead at Zero Gravity:
The Network Advantage and Gap Zero
Social Mobility Safe Listening Space, Friday 16 June, 11:00 -12:00, virtual
A confidential opportunity for staff and students to share their stories and talk about the challenges faced by individuals because of socio-economic class and upbringing. It will enable us to understand the common themes of both positive and negative experiences so that we can continue and build upon the work the University has been doing to create an inclusive University community.
You can sign up for events using this registration form.
Further information can be found on the Festival website.
