LJMU celebrates impact of Diversity and Inclusion funded projects

Liverpool John Moores University has celebrated the impact of its Diversity and Inclusion Funded Projects Programme.

A celebration event held in the Student Life Building brought together around 80 staff, students, project leads, senior leaders, external partners and community organisations to recognise projects delivered during the 2025/26 academic year. 

The 2025/26 programme supported 13 projects, awarding more than £60,000 in funding following 30 applications from across LJMU. The projects addressed a wide range of inclusion priorities, including race equality, disability inclusion, neurodiversity, student belonging, inclusive curriculum design, gender equality, community engagement and access to higher education.

Opening with lunch and networking, attendees were able to view project posters, speak with project teams and learn more about work taking place across the university to strengthen inclusion, belonging and equity.

LJMU's values in action

In her opening remarks, Tina Purkis, Chief People Officer, said:

“This programme reflects the best of LJMU’s values in action. It brings together creativity, courage and care for our community, while supporting practical work that improves people’s experiences within the university and beyond. The projects showcased demonstrate how inclusion can be embedded across teaching, research, professional practice and community partnerships.”

The showcase highlighted the breadth of activity supported through the programme, from student leadership, inclusive storytelling and community partnerships, to neurodiversity, assistive technology, inclusive assessment and student wellbeing.

Projects have delivered practical and lasting outputs, including toolkits around co-production with students, curriculum change through community-based Journalism newsdays, institutional guidance on neuroinclusive vivas, weekly access to campus sports facilities for adults with learning disabilities, and student-led resources such as The Belonging Podcast.

Powerful contributions from students involved in the Black Student Leadership Academy and The Belonging Podcast demonstrated the personal impact of the programme, showing how funded projects can create confidence, connection and meaningful opportunities for students to shape change.

Turning ideas into action

Moni Akinsanya, Associate Director of Diversity and Inclusion, commented:

“The Diversity and Inclusion Funded Projects Programme is about empowering people across LJMU to turn ideas into action. What we saw at the showcase was not only a celebration of individual projects, but evidence of a wider culture shift. These projects show that diversity and inclusion does not sit with one team alone; it becomes meaningful when colleagues, students and partners across the university take ownership of it and embed it in their own practice.”

2026/27 Diversity and Inclusion Funded Projects

Interest in the programme continues to grow, with 45 applications submitted for the next round of funding. The 2026/27 projects are now being finalised and will build on this work, continuing to support innovation, collaboration and shared responsibility for diversity and inclusion across LJMU.

For further information on the Diversity and Inclusion Funded Projects programme or any Diversity and Inclusion queries, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team.