Race equality work recognised by prestigious organisation

Dr Anjali Shah, Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Chester, has been asked to become a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. The RSA places itself at the forefront of significant social impact with a proven change process, rigorous research, innovative ideas platforms and a diverse global community of problem-solvers to deliver solutions for lasting change. 

Over the last few years Dr Shah has been working to embed lectures and initiatives to raise awareness of issues in race equality within schools and education policy. 

Dr Shah was contacted by the RSA Fellowship Department who occasionally seek out people who they believe will align with their values and who they would wish to include in their community. A member of the Fellowship Development team had come across some of her work and they extended an invitation on behalf of the RSA.  

The role enables Dr Shah access to a broad network of colleagues and potential collaborations both regionally, nationally and internationally. The RSA offers a chance to share ideas and develop projects with partners in addition to providing a wider platform for individuals’ work. In addition, the RSA has existing strands of work that they research and publish and they look to fellows to contribute to that work.  

Dr Shah works within Initial Teacher Education and delivers sessions on diversity, bias and representation which focus on experiences of pupils and teachers in schools. She has also delivered these sessions to a broader audience of school teachers and partners nationally through the University’s Faculty of Education and Children’s Services CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programme.  

Building on this work, she has also worked in an advisory capacity for colleagues in other institutions and schools and has presented at a conference on the topic of teachers developing their own subject knowledge to facilitate a more diverse and representative curriculum. Dr Shah has also worked with colleagues both in her Faculty and across the University of Chester to develop understanding and ways of implementing more diverse and decolonised curricula and is a member of the Vice Chancellor’s Race Equality Challenge Group, and has worked to influence the university’s race equality agenda. She also works with colleagues in the Faculty of Education and Children’s Services and with external organisations such as BAMEEd and Mindful Equity to promote more participation from black, Asian and minority ethnic people in the teaching profession.  

Dr Shah is also a member of a group that advises senior North West business leaders on how to develop race equality within their organisations.  

Dr Shah said: “I was extremely surprised and really happy at the same time when I received the invitation. 

“I’m honoured and humbled and also absolutely delighted that my work has been recognised, and excited at the potential opportunity there can be to further develop this and drive forward issues around race equity and representation.  

“I am pleased that this fellowship is a recognition of my expertise and leadership of an area that I am hugely passionate about.  I hope that I can inspire others, across all different networks, both internally and externally to learn more and that I can continue to develop my own knowledge and see the impact of these ideas through collaboration with others.”