Liberation and Community Networks

Historic liberation movements such as civil rights, gay liberation fronts, women's liberation and disability rights campaigns help make our society more inclusive and diverse. Liberation groups today continue to challenge public misunderstanding and social injustices in today's society.

So what do the networks do at Imperial?

• They organise campaigns to tackle particular problems faced by their members
• They facilitate the building of community amongst their members and wider community
• They provide a safe space for students who identify with them
• They're a support network for their members - particularly for personal problems related to their identity

Each officer leads a network committee for their community, made up of elected students. Each committee is made up of a Campaigns Officer, Community Engagement Officer, and Welfare Officer who support the officer and work as a team to better their community. These roles are filled during our annual Autumn Elections.

Learn about each of our communities below and click here to join!

Disability History Month (DHM) - (14 November to 20 December) - is a national event that aims to promote the rights of people with disability and their struggle for equality.

It is celebrated annually and is supported by a wide range of disability advocacy organisations, unions and voluntary organisations.

DHM is an opportunity for us to reflect on how we can make the lives of people with disability better through our everyday actions. The more we understand about disability, the more we can provide better help and support. Making sure not to judge someone based on their disability is crucial.

Remember, not all disabilities are visible.

Theme for this year

At Imperial College Union, we will mark DHM this year with a very special theme – ‘Things I wish you knew.’ This theme is part of a year-long campaign that will aim to highlight the experiences of students living with disability and neurodiversity.

There are lots of things a person with disability wishes you knew. Like that introverted person you see in class - the one who never contributes to discussions. Did you know that they live with autism and have chronic social anxiety, so they might find it overwhelming? They have lots to say but we need to create a safe space for them first.

It is extremely important for us to set up inclusive and accessible places, so everyone feel like they belong.

How to get involved?

There are many ways you can get involved in DHM.

• Come to our DHM event on 12 December at Metric . We will host a panel discussion with students, staff and external partners who will share their experiences and answer your questions.

• Fill out our survey - You can help change how we perceive and talk about disability by sharing your own lived experience. Survey results will be compiled into a video and shared with students. You can choose to share your story anonymously if you prefer.

• We also have Clubs and Societies (CSPs) that work with and for students with disability to make Imperial College London a more inclusive place. Consider signing up to the Neurodiversity Society, the Sign Language Society or the Psychiatry Society. There are many more disability-focused CSPs you can join, or you can even create your own!

In addition to the above, always be mindful of the language and tone you use while speaking about people with disability:

1. Use person-first language, whenever possible: putting the person before the disability. For example, instead of ‘autistic person, use ‘person with autism. ‘
2. Use an active voice instead of a passive voice: use “we made mistakes”, instead of saying “mistakes were made by us.”
3. Avoid offensive or condescending words, such as ‘handicapped person’, ‘retarded or ‘blind’. You can find additional guidance on words to avoid in this inclusive language guide.

Support for you at ICU and Imperial College London

If you are a student living with a disability, we know that your disability can affect you in different ways.

We provide tailored and flexible services through:

1. The Advice Service at ICU
2. The Disability Advisory Service at Imperial College
3. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre

Meg Spiteri, your Disabilities Officer isalso here to help answer any questions may have around disability and accessibility. Head to her blog and see what her plans are for the next year.

My experience as a black person at Imperial has been a mixed bag, at times extremely isolating but finding a community has helped with that. My overall drive is to help others find a community and build a supportive network.

In my role as the BME Officer, I'm all about forging connections. Imagine the Tuesday food market with an added touch of Afro-Caribbean flavours, creating a lively space that echoes the diversity we cherish.

Taking inspiration from all the unique journeys of people at Imperial, I'm hoping to create a BME showcase and networking event – not just an event but a celebration of our narratives. I want Imperial to feel like home for every student, where our stories are not just heard but celebrated.

Whilst I know it’s not possible to achieve everything I want to, these are my goals and plans for the year:

• Afro-Caribbean market stall: Transforming the Tuesday food market to include a vibrant Afro-Caribbean stall.
• BME showcase and networking event: Creating a platform for students to share stories and connect. Something like a spring formal but spruced up a bit.
• Fostering belonging: Initiating measures to ensure every student feels a sense of belonging.
• Mentorship program: Establishing a mentorship initiative for BME students, connecting them with experienced peers.
• Collaboration with cultural clubs: Strengthening ties with cultural clubs to enhance cultural exchange and understanding.
• Workshops on diversity and inclusion: Hosting workshops to promote awareness and understanding of diverse backgrounds.
• Inter-university collaboration: Building connections with other universities to foster a broader community and share best practices.

Got thoughts or ideas? My inbox is always open at icu-bme@imperial.ac.uk. Let's shape an Imperial that values and celebrates every journey.

Last year I was the Secretary of IQ (the LGBTQ+ Society) and Wellbeing Events Officer of the Bioengineering Society. I really enjoyed working on student welfare and organising events.

These roles have helped me see areas where we can improve the experience of queer students at Imperial, especially in mental health support, support for trans+ and QPOC students and strengthening Imperial’s connections with local LGBTQ+ communities.

As your LGBTQ+ Officer, I plan to:

• Organise events for LGBTQ+ students such as Sip and Paint, and apply to hold exhibitions at the CLCC Foyer Gallery, featuring art from queer Imperial students
• Improve our mental health support network and equip students with the skills and knowledge to support their peers by holding workshops and training
• Establish support schemes that encourage students to volunteer for LGBTQ+ charities
• Continue working with the Trans+ Officer and the union to support the needs of trans+ students at Imperial – such as promoting the availability of the Gender Expression Fund to trans+ students
• Work closely and foster collaboration between IQ, Sexpression, Constituent Unions and other societies to organise events such as LGBTQ+ Career talks
• Continue pushing for the initiatives that previous LGBTQ+ officers have been working on
• Normalise pronoun usage and raise awareness towards the importance of pronouns and using gender-inclusive language

Feel free to message me on Instagram or drop me an email at icu-lgbtq@imperial.ac.uk. I’d love to hear from you, whether you want to have a chat about your experience at Imperial, suggest an event idea or talk about any changes you’d like us to make.

Lots of queer love,

Anson

My priorities this year will be to:

• Raise awareness of the needs of postgraduate disabled students, especially those in a research degree
• Create a bank of information for personal tutors and supervisors about disabilities in our student body
• Deliver the Things I Wish You Knew campaign in collaboration with the College EDI fund that aims to share real-lived experiences of our community
• Lobby College for financial support for students seeking Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

I’m looking forward to working on existing projects from my predecessors including tackling waste from lunchtimes and organising fun sustainability events throughout the year including clothes swaps!

I’d also love to support Imperial to improve its sustainable, plant-based food offerings and involve students in this change, and my role as VegSoc Chair and lead campaigner for Plant-Based Universities should help nicely with this. I’m excited to make Imperial a more sustainable university that we’re all proud to be a part of.

This year, armed with the wisdom gained from past experiences and a forward-looking vision for the future. I will deepen and broaden my commitment to EDI with the following goals to enhance equality and reduce disparities:

• Work with faculties to promote gender equality in pursuing research careers, postgraduate degrees, and permanent academic roles.
• Organise career fairs for women in STEMB fields to improve job and internship access.
• Continue fundraising efforts on International Women’s Day to support girls in the broader community.
• Advocate for daily distribution of feminine hygiene products in all female and gender-neutral restrooms on campus.
• Partner with faculties, particularly engineering, to increase female student applications.

I am excited to continue this important work and make a lasting, positive impact on our vibrant community!

As the International Officer, my role is to represent and advocate for the interests and well-being of our diverse international student body.

With an international background and experiences in cross-cultural communication, I will bring a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that international students encounter. Through my studies and engagement with various multicultural environments, I have developed a strong appreciation for fostering inclusivity and promoting intercultural exchange.

Goals:

• Collaborate with student societies and organisations to organize inclusive events and initiatives that celebrate cultural diversity and promote global awareness.
• Advocate for the needs and concerns of international students at the institutional level, working closely with college administrators and staff to address any issues that may arise.
• Promote dialogue and collaboration among different student communities, fostering an environment of respect and understanding.

Additionally, as International Officer, I am committed to establishing connections and collaborations with top universities around the world. By fostering these partnerships, I aim to create valuable opportunities for Imperial College students to engage in global exchanges, joint research projects, and internships. I believe that these global connections can not only enrich the educational experience but also contribute to the personal and professional development of our students.

My commitment to inclusivity, intercultural understanding, and advocacy for international students stems from my belief in the power of diversity to enrich educational experiences. I am dedicated to creating an environment where all students, regardless of their backgrounds, feel welcome and supported.

I look forward to serving the international student community at Imperial College and contributing to a vibrant and inclusive campus life. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or ideas to further enhance the international student experience.

Being from a working class background, my time at Imperial hasn’t been without its challenges. I am excited to have the chance to address some of these challenges and help other working class and first-generation students thrive at university!

My main priorities for this year are:

• Build a supportive community for working class and first-gen students to share their experiences and knowledge, and help each other navigate university life
• Improve support for students seeking private accommodation
• Continue efforts to lobby for cheaper, more sustainable food options on campus
• Run social events to connect working class and first-gen students
• Help students to navigate challenges such as imposter syndrome, networking and university finances

Please feel free to reach out to me via email or speak to me in person. Together, we can help each other flourish at Imperial and beyond!