Leeds University Union Marks One Year of Diversity Blog
July 28, 2026Project highlights stories of identity and cultural experience
Leeds University Union (LUU) has marked the first anniversary of its Diversity Blog, a platform dedicated to sharing personal stories and creative expressions related to identity and culture. Launched in June 2025, the blog aims to foster dialogue around complex and layered identities within the university community.
Sharing stories and creative work
The Diversity Blog features a variety of contributions including blogs, poems, artwork, and other creative pieces submitted monthly by students and staff. Over the course of its first year, the blog attracted nearly 1,000 users and recorded 1,829 page views.
One of the most notable contributions was a poem titled “Roots That Walk” by master’s student Jowanah Majeed. The poem explores themes of cultural duality and belonging, describing the experience of growing up between different worlds. It was highlighted at LUU’s Impact Breakfast in January 2026, where it received praise from university staff including Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds.
Launch event and community engagement
The project’s launch event in June 2025 was well attended, with seven contributors reading their pieces. The event also featured performances by the K-Pop and Heelz Dance Societies, speeches from the Lord Mayor, and attendance from six members of the University Executive group. Senior university figures, including the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Student Education and Experience and LUU’s Equality and Liberation Officer, also spoke at the event.
Throughout the year, the Diversity Blog has extended beyond the website to become a community initiative. Activities during the World Unite Festival in November and March involved creative competitions held on the university precinct, encouraging students to produce and submit work under time constraints. Winners received gift vouchers, and all participants’ entries were added to the blog.
Broader impact and future plans
The Diversity Blog has also gained international attention. It was presented at the ACUI Region VIII conference at the University of Vermont in the United States, reaching delegates from Boston, Ireland, and other countries.
Interviews conducted as part of the project include conversations with Theo Mayne, a reality TV personality from “The Traitors,” and Alison Lowe, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in West Yorkshire. These discussions explored personal journeys of identity and offered reflections on self-discovery.
The project’s founder, LUU Education Officer Shivani Gug, expressed pride in the blog’s development from an initial idea to a recognised university-wide initiative. The blog continues to encourage participation and aims to support a diverse and inclusive community at Leeds University.
