One year Of The Diversity Blog
Words by Shivani Gug, LUU Education Officer 2024-26
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June marked one year of The Diversity Blog at LUU.
I started the project as a way to share stories of identity – those that are not often spoken about, or those that people don’t fully understand.
I wanted to open a dialogue about what it’s like to feel like you belong to more than one culture, country or identity.
And that’s exactly what I did.
The Diversity Blog became an evolving space, where it saw blogs, poems, art and any creative piece shared on it monthly. Students and staff posted their stories and over a year we had 1829 page views from almost 1000 users.
One very notable contribution came from a masters student, Jowanah Majeed, whose poem “Roots That Walk” resonated deeply with readers.
The piece beautifully captured her experience growing up wearing ‘two worlds like a woven robe’ describing herself as ‘…the song of a thousand footsteps echoing across oceans I never sailed’.
Her words captured the audience at LUU’s January 2026 Impact Breakfast. Staff across the University, including Shearer West, the University of Leeds Vice-Chancellor and President, said the poem was a particular highlight for her.
Jowanah’s creative work not only showcased the breadth of talent within our community but also embodied the spirit of openness and empathy that The Diversity Blog aims to foster.
The launch event in June 2025 was a sold-out affair, with seven contributors to The Diversity Blog reading out their pieces, K-Pop and Heelz Dance Societies performing, the Lord Mayor speaking, and six out of eight members of the University Executive group present.
We heard from the Pro–Vice-Chancellor for Student Education and Experience and LUU’s Equality and Liberation Officer too. I spoke about why a project like this was so important. I shared my story too because I wanted everyone to know what drove me to create something like this, including my grandad’s and why he is my inspiration.
Our identities can be complex and layered, so the message I wanted The Diversity Blog to have was for everyone to be proud of where they lie on their invisible scale of identity.
The Diversity Blog also went global! It was presented at ACUI Region VIII, a conference which was held at the University of Vermont in America. It was shared with delegates from Boston, Ireland and various other countries.
The project has grown to be more than what exists on the website and into a community too.
Events were held during World Unite Festival in both November and March, which brought together a range of students to craft and create. We did this in the form of holding little competitions on the precinct to create the best piece in a limited amount of time.
The winners won gift vouchers and all participants submitted their entries to the The Diversity Blog.
I have also interviewed a reality TV personality, Theo Mayne from The Traitors, and Alison Lowe, The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in West Yorkshire. Their interviews have reflected on their stories of identity and discovery, ending with some beautiful words of advice and inspiration.
Seeing The Diversity Blog grow from merely an idea, to an institution wide project is moving. It is so heartwarming to witness its transformation, knowing how many people have contributed and connected through it.
I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, and excited to see where The Diversity Blog will go next.
