Making Diversity Interventions Count Annual Conference (MDICAC) 2026
The 15th MDICAC brings together renowned scholars, practitioners, thought leaders and students from the UK and internationally to explore and reflect on research and development in equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Date: Monday 8 June 2026, 09:00 – 17:00 BST.
Programme
Morning sessions
- 09:00 - Arrival and registration
- 09:30 - Housekeeping
- 09:35 - Welcome from Conference host Professor Udy Archibong, Pro-Vice Chancellor EDI, University of Bradford
- 09:40 - Keynote: GenerationResearch: A regional initiative to contribute towards a diverse community in career science from Dr Jillian Barlow, Founder and Director of Generation Research
- 10:10 - Barbara Burford Memorial Lecture from Professor Emmanuel Adukwu, Dean for Students & Professor of Applied Microbiology, School of Applied Sciences (SOAS), University of the West of England
10:50 - Parallel Sessions 1
| Title | Presenter(s) | Room |
|---|---|---|
|
Evidence-based co-created disability access for labs: guidelines and assessments |
Dr Katherine Deane, Gauntlett M, Tufal A, Dan Burrill, DALE Steering Group. |
Small Hall |
| Beyond Deficit and Symbolism: Rethinking EDI Interventions for Ethnic Minority Career Progression | Precious Reuben, University of Leicester. | D1 |
| Using Student Voice to Drive Culture Change: Microaggressions Awareness Campaign | Kate Summers, Zuhura Akhtar, University of Leeds. | D3 |
| Use of Digital Health Technology for Health Risk Behaviour Modification | Tahsin Tasneem Tabassum MD; Dr Gerardo A Zavala, Professor Kamran Siddiqi, University of York | D4 JSB |
| Co-Designing a Culturally Responsive Dementia Awareness Intervention with Diverse Communities | Dr Saba Shafiq, Dr Sahdia Parveen, Professor Jan Oyebode, University of Bradford | E59 |
| Improving Muslim women’s uptake of breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screening: findings from a non-randomised study of a peer-led, faith-based intervention | Fozia Haider, Floor Christie-de Jong, Cerysh Sadiq, Rawand Jarrar, University of Sunderland | E92 |
11:20 - Parallel Sessions 2
| Title | Presenter(s) | Room |
|---|---|---|
| The Toolkit-as-output is Dead, Long Live the Process-led-Toolkit: Critical Reflections on Translating EDI Intervention Evidence into a Toolkit for the Screen Industries | Dr Roxanne Bottomley, Dr Anna Einarsdottir, Dr Nina Willment, Dr Jon Swords, Professor Jude Brereton, University of York | Small Hall |
| Can you See the Sound? Inclusive brass music making for musicians with hearing impairments | Noa Nishizawa, University of Salford | D1 |
| From Lived Experience to Leadership: A Toolkit for Gender Equity in Global Health | Dr. Saima Afaq, University of York | D3 |
| Gatekeeping to Enabling: How Line Managers Can Reduce Inequality in Career Progression | Dr Lyle Stephen Odendaal, Sheffield Hallam University | D4 JSB |
| Turning school concerns into structured action: A practice-based model for equity in SEND engagement | Anne-Rose Obidi, The African Parent | E92 |
11:50 - Parallel Sessions 3
| Title | Presenter(s) | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Racially Inclusive Inpatient Environments: Navigating a Culture of Silence | Dr Romana Farooq, Sian Morrison, Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust | Small Hall |
| Why Arts and Heritage Organisations Need an EDI Methodology | Jenny Williams BEM, Take the Space | D1 |
| Gaming, Climate Law and Gender Equality | Dr Pedi Obani, Omobola Olanrewaju, Nnabuike Eya, University of Bradford | D3 |
| The Bureaucratic Bottleneck: Analyzing Systemic Barriers to EDI Governance in Higher Education | Dr. Adeela Rehman, University of Sheffield | D4 JSB |
| Acknowledging ageism: an underexplored aspect of the mature undergraduate student experience | Millie Bolt, University of Leeds | E59 |
12:20 - Lunch and networking
13:10 - Poster presentations
These will be available to view throughout the day in the Small Hall and have been created by:
- Ammarah Ikram, Dr Sahdia Parveen, Dr Eleftheria Vaportizis, University of Bradford
- Farhan Akhtar, Hohai University Nanjing China
- Zenab Sabahat, Emma Van der Gucht, Dr Syka Iqbal, Dr Peter Branney, University of Bradford
Afternoon sessions
- 13:30 - Keynote - The Link between Diversity and Inclusion and Outcomes in the NHS: Evidence from the NHS Staff Survey and Other Studies from Professor Jeremy Dawson, Professor of Health Management, University of Sheffield.
- 14:00 - Note from our Interim Vice Chancellor, Professor Nick Braisby
- 14:10 - Panel Discussion - Shaping the future of inclusion: Power, Innovation and Responsibility in a Changing World
Panellists:
Dr Pedi Obani (Chair), University of Bradford
Haroon Bashir, University College Birmingham
Marianne Elliott - Incommunities, Bradford
Dr James Machell, University of Bradford
- 15:00 - Tea/Coffee Break
15:15 - Parallel workshops
| Title | Presenter(s) | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Measured. Managed. Monetized.™ Turning Diversity Interventions into Strategic ROI Impact | Dr. Edward E. Hubbard, Hubbard & Hubbard, Inc. | Small Hall |
| Building Belonging Through Staff Networks: Creating Inclusive Communities in Higher Education | Haroon Bashir, University College Birmingham | D1 |
| An inclusive hiring process framework for the employment of autistic professionals | Priscila Beni, Leeds Beckett University | D3 |
| Work-Life Experiences of Migrant Women Professionals in the UK Post Brexit and COVID. | Fatimah Adesanya, Sheffield Hallam University | D4 |
| The Co-development and evaluation of a Bespoke Intervention to Increase Breast Cancer Screening Uptake Among Black African Women in the UK | Ugomma Nwadinigwe, Dr Mel Cooper, Dr Imose Itua, University of Bradford, Dr Chris Keyworth, University of Leeds | E92 |
| It’s just banter: Your guide to inclusive language | Chris Allan, Your D+I | E59 |
16:05 - Parallel Presentations
| Title | Presenter(s) | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Introducing the EDI Research Centre at the University of York | Dr Karisha Kimone George, University of York | D1 |
| Growth in Equilibrium: reflections on increasing engagement with community based intervention for young people working with of disadvantaged communities in Education, Health and Careers | Dr James Machell, Thomas Whitford-Bartle, Nick Wilson, Iqra Ali, University of Bradford | E92 |
| Co designing an EDI Strategy Through Governance Led Power Redistribution | Marianne Elliott, Incommunities Ltd | D3 |
| Comparative Analysis of Low-Carbon Emission Practices Utilisation among Farmers in Nigeria and the United Kingdom | Efiokabasi Umoren Sunday, Coventry University and Professor Etuk Unyime Robson, University of Uyo, Nigeria | D4 |
16:55 - Wrap up and closing remarks
Professor Udy Archibong, Pro-Vice Chancellor of EDI at the University of Bradford will be in the Small Hall to bring the day to a conclusion.
About the conference
MDICAC provides a forum for scholars, practitioners, policymakers and students to meaningfully engage with research, development and practice in the field of equality, equity / diversity and inclusion (EDI). Through an emphasis on the generation, synthesis and application of knowledge on equality-focused interventions, the conference advances robust, evidence-informed approaches to diversity practice within organisations and across sectors.
Central to its purpose is a commitment to interrogating prevailing assumptions and challenging accepted norms in contemporary society. The conference creates a space for rigorous, thought-provoking engagement and encourages inter and intra-disciplinary exchange, fostering the generation of ideas, and contributing to scholarship and innovative practices.
This year’s conference invites critical, evidence-informed and practice-based contributions that engage with the structural, cultural and systemic dimensions of EDI.
At a time when EDI is subject to heightened scrutiny and rapid global, technological and organisational change, the conference provides a space to examine:
- how leadership and governance shape power, accountability and social justice,
- how the credibility and impact of EDI can be strengthened through rigorous and ethical practice,
- how emerging global and digital forces are reshaping the future of inclusion.
We welcome contributions that move beyond symbolic commitment and reactive responses, offering insight into how EDI can be advanced through principled leadership, robust evidence and forward-looking strategies capable of delivering sustained and meaningful change across organisations and societies.
The conference will host the annual Barbara Burford Memorial Lecture in honour of Barbara’s outstanding leadership and contribution to EDI.