iRISE
ABOUT US
iRISE is a peer network open to all academic and professional services staff (permanent, contract and sessional) who identify as, or are characterised as, Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) and/or international. The network’s primary purpose is to promote Queen’s University Belfast as a welcoming place to work for BAME and International staff. We aim to help address misrepresentation, inequalities, and feelings of unbelonging within the University.
Our name, iRISE, stands for the core principles that guide our work:
- Internationally focused
- Racial diversity
- Inclusivity for all
- Social cohesion
- Equality of opportunity
To put these principles into action, iRISE offers a safe and welcoming space for staff to meet regularly. We provide a forum for networking and represent the interests of BAME and International staff to the University. The network also runs a social programme, shares key information with colleagues, and liaises with other staff networks.
The acronym ‘BAME’ (and BME) is commonplace within UK and is a broad term to identify staff and students who self-identify as an ethnicity other than White. We recognise that the term is not without some inherent problems. We only use it here for self-identification purposes, we recognised that it should not be used to replace the distinct ethnic identities that are present in each group. We understand, for example, the need to differentiate the diverse experiences and challenges faced by different ethnic and racial groups, not only for staff and student from the UK, but also those from abroad.
We recommend reading this article by Dr Foluke Adebisi (University of Bristol).
If you are interested in joining iRISE, please register your place by completing this form. Any questions or concerns can be directed to irise@qub.ac.uk. The University has agreed that attendance at monthly meeting is opening to all BAME and/or international staff, and is not in lieu of lunch breaks etc. All emails will be treated in confidence.
You can also follow us on Twitter.