Thriving in Your Career 2026 – a free face-to-face event for UK Ethnic Minority colleagues

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Please follow the event links below to register (via Eventbrite). If you require any further information on any of the events listed, or have a suggestion for a future event, please contact Nicky Freeman.
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Event Start September 7, 2026 10:00 am	Event End September 7, 2026 4:30 pm	Booking closes August 31, 2026 4:00 pm
Location Room & Building TBC, Manchester Metropolitan University

This session will run in person at Manchester Metropolitan University – details to be confirmed nearer the time.

Your booking will be confirmed via Ticket Tailor.

Click here to book your place

This free face-to-face event for UK Ethnic Minority colleagues will build on the collaborative and supportive thriving in your career events of the last few years.

It continues to explore how we can thrive in our careers, whether we are looking to progress into a new role or want to develop in our current one, and includes a safe space for us to discuss navigating around or constructively challenging structural barriers that may stand in our way.

We encourage staff at all career stages to attend.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided during the event.

Programme

10:00 – Arrival and refreshments

10:15-10:30 – Welcome and Introductions – Jade Dhesi

10:30-11:30 – Keynote + Questions – Critical moments in a library career – Tanya Williamson
Tanya Williamson currently works at the University of Salford managing the Library’s Open Research team. She has worked in several academic libraries, in a government agency, and as an independent information specialist. She has experienced working full-time, part-time, abroad, being on benefits, volunteering, self-employment, and nurturing side hustles. Tanya will reflect on some critical moments from her 20+ year career in libraries. She’ll tell the story of what those moments of transition have taught her about how to thrive. She’ll speak about being stuck and get you thinking about ways to become unstuck. Tanya speaks from the heart, won’t sugar coat her experiences, and will probably try to squeeze in a reference to mushrooms into her keynote.

11:30-11:45 – Tea Break

11:45-12:05 – Lightning Talk 1 + Questions – Why are there so few racially minoritised leaders in libraries? Exploring the conflicting nature of libraries as inclusive spaces and exclusionary workplaces? – Dinushi Bopearachchi
Dinushi will present findings from their MA dissertation research exploring career progression barriers for racially minoritised staff in libraries, seeking to understand the impact having so few visible minoritised leaders has on the sector. The presentation will share key findings and speak about the research process.

12:05-12:25 – Lightning Talk 2 + Questions – Object-based learning; using everyday items to spark ideas, engagement & collaboration – Viv Bell
Viv has been using object-based learning (OBL) for many years and has found it to be an accessible, inclusive and engaging pedagogical approach that can be applied in a variety of subject areas and concepts. In this talk, she will provide an opportunity to take part in a short activity and share an example of OBL in practice.

12:25-12.55 – Lightning Talk 3 + Questions – Mapping the journey: applying user journey mapping to navigate career opportunities and barriers in libraries – Prakash Chauhan & Philippa Higson
This interactive workshop introduces User Journey Mapping, a User Experience (UX) method used to understand experiences and identify opportunities for improvement. Participants will reflect on a stage of their own career journey, such as applying for roles, developing new skills, or progressing into leadership. Through a guided exercise and discussion, we will explore common challenges, sources of support, and opportunities for growth. The workshop demonstrates how a practical UX technique can support career reflection, self-advocacy, and professional development while creating space for shared learning among ethnic minority colleagues.

12:55-1:55 – Lunch

2:00-3:00 – Networking session – led by Jen Bayjoo – details TBC

3:00-4:00 – ‘Stitch & Bitch’ craft session

4:00-onwards – Event social – Venue in Manchester TBC

Financial Support for Travel
We can offer some financial support packages to those who may otherwise be prevented from attending. If this would assist you to attend, please contact us to discuss further – academiclibrariesnorth@sconul.ac.uk.