Equality Diversity and Inclusion
This page provides faculty and university-wide information, links and opportunities for A&H students regarding equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). If you have any enquires about the following information, please do not hesitate to send us a message at artsstudentexperience@sheffield.ac.uk.
Become a Faculty EDI Representative
Are you...
an undergraduate in the Arts and Humanities?
passionate about equality, inclusion and social justice?
someone who wants to work collaboratively with staff and students to make a positive difference?
If so, you may be interested in becoming a Faculty EDI Student Representative!
More about this opportunity and how to apply...
Why become an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) Student Representative?
If you are passionate about ensuring fairness and equality in education and share our aim of an inclusive on-campus and online learning environment, we hope you consider applying to become an EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity) Representative. EDI reps make a positive difference to university experience for all students and played a major role in helping staff and students reacclimatise to in-person teaching since the return to campus after the pandemic.
Who can apply to be an EDI Rep?
We welcome applications from all Arts and Humanities undergraduate students who are committed to representing the views and experiences of students from equality groups. In particular, we would love to hear from you if you are from an under-represented group of students studying in Higher Education
What does an EDI Rep do?
EDI reps work closely with SU Academic Reps, the Departmental EDI Director (a member of staff in your subject), and with the Faculty Director of One University, Professor Cathy Shrank. However, our focus is wider than academic matters: we are interested in supporting positive culture change, both in and beyond the classroom, and this means taking into consideration the different circumstances and backgrounds of all participants. To help us do that, you will be a member of the Faculty EDI student forum and may be invited to attend Departmental EDI committee meetings.
What is the workload?
The time commitment for this role is one hour per week (averaged across the year), which includes meetings and preparation time as well as liaising with students from equality groups. In line with all student roles, this is a voluntary, unpaid position. However, leadership in EDI is often valued highly by future employers, demonstrates cultural agility and aligns with characteristics of the Sheffield Graduate. You will also acquire evidence of skills which you can log on your MySkills portfolio.
How and when to apply?
If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the Expression of Interest Form (can also be found on separate Hub page: EDI Rep Expression of Interest Form) which will invite you to write a short statement outlining the reasons why you would like to be an EDI rep and what you think are the key issues which we should be addressing in your department. The deadline for 2023-2024 applications is 9th October 2023.
For more information about the EDI Committee, please go to the following University webpage:
Share Your Name and Pronouns
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities is committed to providing a supportive environment for all of its students, including trans and non-binary students who wish their gender identities to be known and students who use a preferred name different to that on their student record.
Click on the drop down below to find out how to...
inform your department
update your Google Mail
update your Blackboard (also see embedded video)
request to change your formal records
How to change your name and pronouns...
(1). Inform your department of your preferred name and pronouns:
It is the right of the individual to choose whether they wish information about their preferred pronouns and names to be shared with staff. To support this, we have created a process to ensure we are able to capture accurate data about students’ pronouns and preferred names throughout your time at Sheffield. While you can only make formal changes to your student record where the change has been legally recognised, if you have not formalised any changes, you can still notify your Arts & Humanities department by filling out the following form (can also be found on separate Hub page: Sharing Your Pronouns and Preferred Names Form):
Sharing Your Pronouns and Preferred Names Form (Please note this shouldn't be used for nicknames)
(2). Including your preferred name or pronouns within Google Mail and Blackboard:
You can also change your name and pronouns on the several google and blackboard tools used by the University during your learning and day to day interactions with us.
1. Gmail (action on desktop browser)
Login to Gmail
Click on the 'Settings' icon (top right)
Click on the 'See all settings' button
Under the 'Accounts' tab, next to the 'Send mail as:' field click on the 'edit info' link.
Select the second radial button and type in the name you prefer, plus pronouns if you wish.
Click on the 'Save Changes' button to commit to the change.
[The updated name will be visible to you and the recipient when you send an email from Gmail in a browser and from the Gmail app on both Android and iOS].
* If you were to add your University account to the native Apple Mail app or Android Mail app then there is a field to determine what the name will be when an email is sent.
2. Google (action on desktop browser)
Login to a Google service such as Gmail.
Click on the Google apps menu icon (top right) and select 'Account'.
Click on the 'Personal info' tab and then on 'Name' (you may have to login to authenticate).
use the CHANGE NAME fields to update your name and add pronouns to the Last name field if desired [a / is not allowed] (see image below).
Click on the 'Save' button to commit to the change.
[The updated name will appear across the different Google services used on campus].
3. Blackboard
The video above and the link below outline how to use a feature on Blackboard which enables staff and students to add their pronouns, and pronunciation of their name in both written and audio formats.
Blackboard - updating your personal details
Once added, this information will be visible to staff and student users within Blackboard module pages on the following features:
Discussion Boards
Blogs and Journal tool
Group homepage
Blackboard group assignments
Blackboard peer review tool
Users area (staff only)
(3). Requesting a change to personal details on formal records:
SSiD can support you requesting formalised changes to your name and gender, which will appear on your formal records. You can view this information and the evidence required on the Sheffield University Website by clicking on the links below:
Please click on the link below to see our current Faculty Gender Identity Policy on the Hub:
Student Communities
Below please find links to the University of Sheffield website with information and support for the following student communities:
