Community, Belonging & Partnership

Some Recent Community Events.

Diwali

The University celebrated one of the largest religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism, Diwali, in the month of October. Delicious Indian snacks and sweets were enjoyed by all staff and students along with Henna artists and Rangoli colouring corners in the Campus Hub. All staff were also given a ‘diya’ (candle) to take home for this festival of lights.

World Mental Health Day

University Mental Health Day brings together the university community to make mental health a University priority and create ongoing year round change for the future of student mental health. Now more than ever it is important to get us talking which is why we at Northeastern London University annually host a day of activities inviting students and staff to “get involved”.   Our aim is to challenge the myths and stigma surrounding access to mental health support. This is also an opportunity to speak to Student Support, take part in our quizzes – and win a prize, pick up some wellbeing advice, and suggest your own self care tip.

Lunar New Year

The University celebrated Lunar New Year in the Campus Hub. Staff and students enjoyed a bubble tea bar, plenty of East Asian food and fortune cookies whilst a traditional Chinese dragon dance group delighted everyone with a performance in the hub. The hub was decorated with red and gold bunting and lanterns to honour the New Year.

Ramadan Iftar Party

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection and community. The fast includes abstaining from consuming any food or drinks pre-dawn to sunset on each day, along with deep spiritual reflection and collective worship in the evenings throughout the month. 

All staff, students and faculty were invited to an Iftar event on campus to break their fast and celebrate the beautiful holy month of Ramadan along with delicious food, drinks, dates and sweets eaten family style.

Women Who Empower Our World

This year’s Women Who Empower event in London featured Jane D. Hartley, the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Northeastern staff and students enjoyed a panel discussion and were privy to the career journey of the Ambassador, who is only the second woman to be US Ambassador to the UK. Click here to read the Northeastern Global News article about this memorable event.

Synergy Groups

Synergy Groups are staff-led groups for staff and students formed around shared characteristics or experiences, that exist to: 

► Celebrate our diverse identities and lived experiences 

► Provide professional development, networking and mentorship opportunities for their members 

► Provide advocacy and support to our university teams on matters related to the purpose of the group 

► Where relevant, engage in the development of community and industry partnerships and support and draw upon education activities related to their mission 

► Become a core part of the University fulfilling its core DEI objectives across teaching, research, professional departments and student life 

Following successful proposals and interviews by members of professional staff and faculty, we have launched an LGBTQAI+ Network and a Women’s Network in the 2023-4 academic year, and we hope, building on their success, we will be able to empower and equip many more as they develop organically from the interests and needs of our community.

The LGBTQAI+ Network

This Synergy Group marked its arrival through an exclusive screening of ‘Mars’, the short film inspired by Yungblud’s 2020 hit, and shortlisted in festivals across the UK, Europe and US (including the Tribeca Film Festival in New York). The evening also provided opportunities for networking with one of the film’s producers, Stefan Demetriou, from Aldgate Films, ex Senior Vice-President at Universal Music. In February, the group held an open mic evening in collaboration with Creative Writing with guest headliner Petra Palkovacsova. An exciting array of events are in the pipeline for 24/25.

NU London’s Women’s Network

The Women’s Network launch event in February 2024 was attended by sixty women drawn from all parts of our community. This event was followed by celebratory activities organised as part of International Women’s Day. The launch of the network catalysed imaginative suggestions related to skill sharing, mentoring, onboarding, leadership, child care and parenting issues.  These community-led initiatives will help steer and inspire future inclusive projects.

Inter-faith work at Northeastern University London

During this academic year, our DEI team has initiated inter-faith workshops for students and staff in partnership with the Rose Castle Foundation, specialised in reconciliation techniques, notably between those of the Abrahamic faiths. The practical sessions focus on techniques for creating dialogue between different individuals and identities and emphasise the importance of positive values in relationships, such as curiosity, generosity, empathy, gratitude and creativity. In addition, working with CST, the Union of Jewish Students and the Aziz Foundation, DEI has launched a series of workshops around hate speech. Each workshop unpacks how anti-semitism and Islamophobia operate at the level of words, actions and intentions. We want the participants to feel more informed about prejudice, and empowered to bring positive changes to our campus community when necessary.

Partnerships

With our commitment to experiential education and impactful research, partnerships are central to our mission: from our work with EdAid and the Refugee Council to our collaborations with LIFT (Leading Inclusive Futures through Technology), Citizens UK (the largest civic community alliance in Europe), and RTC (Rewriting The Code), we prioritise partnerships that advance our goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion. See our latest DEI Quarterly Newsletter for more details.