Awareness Initiatives

8 March – International Women’s Day 

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

• The breastfeeding biochemist parent: planning, pumping and perfectionism

• How Athena SWAN has improved research culture

• A champion for women in STEM: an interview with Jess Wade

13–19 March – Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences.

• Dyspraxia & why I can’t eat spaghetti 

31 March – International Transgender Day of Visibility 

This day celebrates trans and non-binary people and raises awareness of discrimination faced by trans people worldwide.

• Navigating LGBTQ+ discrimination in academia: where do we go from here? 

6 April – International Asexuality Day

This day is a coordinated worldwide campaign to promote and celebrate demisexual, grey-asexual and other ace identities.

24–30 April – Lesbian Visibility Week

This week aims to celebrate and show solidarity with all LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people.

• Navigating LGBTQ+ discrimination in academia: where do we go from here?

Face Equality Week

This week celebrates visible differences, raising awareness of what needs to change so everyone with a visible difference or disfigurement can live the life they want to lead.

1–7 May – Deaf Awareness Week

This week highlights the impact of hearing loss on everyday life and increases the visibility and inclusion of Deaf people.

• Technology and inclusive learning: an interview with Dr Kirsten Ellis, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Human Centred Computing

17 May – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia

This initiative draws attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.

• Navigating LGBTQ+ discrimination in academia: where do we go from here?

18 May – Global Accessibility Awareness Day

This day encourages everyone to talk, think and learn about digital access and inclusion, and the more than one billion people with disabilities/impairments worldwide.

• Technology and inclusive learning: an interview with Dr Kirsten Ellis, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Human Centred Computing
  
  
• Who feels unwelcome in your biochemistry programme?

Pride Month

Pride Month is dedicated to celebrating and supporting LGBTQ+ communities all around the world.

• Navigating LGBTQ+ discrimination in academia: where do we go from here?

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month

Through celebration, education and raising awareness, this month helps to tackle prejudice, challenge myths and amplify the voices of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in wider society.

• Recorded discussion: Creating a diverse team

5–11 June – Carers Week 

An annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges unpaid carers face and recognising the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

• Care and assistance grants

27 June–3 July - Deafblind Awareness Week

A week of events, activities and campaigns to raise awareness of dual sensory loss, which aims to inspire those living with deafblindness and raise awareness of dual sensory loss.

• Technology and inclusive learning: an interview with Dr Kirsten Ellis, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Human Centred Computing

Disability Pride Month

This month celebrates diversity and difference among the disabled community and highlights ways to better understand and support each other.

14 July – International Non-Binary People’s Day

This day is aimed at raising awareness of the issues faced by non-binary people around the world.

• Navigating LGBTQ+ discrimination in academia: where do we go from here? 

18 July–17 August – South Asian Heritage Month

This month seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories and communities. It looks to understand the diverse heritage and cultures that continue to link the UK with South Asia.

23 September – Celebrate Bisexuality Day

This day, also known as Bi-Visibility Day, is an opportunity to celebrate and promote the diversity of the bisexual+ community.

• Navigating LGBTQ+ discrimination in academia: where do we go from here? 

Black History Month

This month highlights the sharing, celebrating and understanding of the impact of black heritage and culture.

• Encouraging and embracing black diversity in industry
  
  
• Lived experiences of black women pursuing STEM in UK higher education
  
  
• HeLa at 70: on honouring the legacy of Henrietta Lacks
  
  
• BAME scientists: the hidden pioneers?

World Sight Day

An annual day of awareness to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment.

• Diversity in Science Grant project: Supporting pupils with visual impairment in practical science

2–8 October – Dyslexia Awareness Week

This week raises awareness of dyslexia, with resources and information available for teachers, employers and the general public on various dyslexia-related themes.

18 October – International Pronouns Day

This day seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace, celebrating people’s multiple, intersecting identities.

Islamophobia Awareness Month

This month aims to showcase the positive contributions of Muslims and raise awareness of Islamophobia in society.

16 November – 16 December – Disability History Month

This month provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of people living with a disability and also raise awareness.

• Technology and inclusive learning: an interview with Dr Kirsten Ellis, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Human Centred Computing
  
  
• Who feels unwelcome in your biochemistry programme?

18 November – LGBTQ+ STEM Day

A day to celebrate and highlight the work and barriers of LGBTQIA+ people in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).

• Diversity in Science Grant report: STEM, LGBTQ and You Conference 2021

3 December – International Day of Persons with Disabilities

This day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

• Technology and inclusive learning: an interview with Dr Kirsten Ellis, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Human Centred Computing
  
  
• Who feels unwelcome in your biochemistry programme?