Worcester’s EDI Fund, now entering its third year, is designed to support projects which enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in College life. This latest round of funding saw more than double the number of applications and the EDI Committee are delighted to be able to support an unprecedented nine projects to enhance life in College next term. Read on to find out more about the projects which have been awarded funding this year.

African and Caribbean Society: Reflections & Writings Showcase

Reflections & Writings is an online magazine run by Oxford African and Caribbean Society which publishes creative works such as poetry, essays and art reflecting on African and Caribbean culture. At Worcester, the EDI Fund will support a creative showcase event for contributors to the magazine, as well as other members of the community, to share or engage with African and Caribbean culture through different creative outlets.

BAME Drinks

Now a much-loved feature of the College social calendar, Worcester’s termly BAME Drinks consistently attract over 100 attendees from across the University. The event is designed to celebrate diversity and foster a supportive community for BAME students by promoting meaningful connections and inclusivity.

‘Be Gentle, Don’t Cancel’

This project is driven by the need to foster a culture of understanding and empathy, countering exclusionary behaviors that can manifest as a form of self-policing within the student body. Normalizing exclusion or ‘cancellation’ has severe impacts on mental health and community trust; the rise of digital communication and social media platforms exacerbates the issue by encouraging rapid dissemination of judgment and exclusion without accountability. Through a series of workshops, public events and support networks, this project seeks to promote open dialogue, enhance mental health support, education on digital literacy, and foster inclusive community practices.

Empowering Financial Futures: Managing Finances & Wealth Creation

This project is designed to equip 50 students with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage their personal finances and build long-term wealth through a financial literacy workshop. The workshop is particularly targeted at under-represented and international students who may face unique challenges navigating financial systems in the UK. By empowering students with financial literacy, this project seeks to promote equitable access to knowledge, foster greater financial confidence and address socio-economic barriers to economic security and success.

Honouring the “Drowning Child” Thought Experiment

It’s a little known fact that the lake at Worcester provided the inspiration for Peter Singer’s “drowning child” thought experiment. This analogy has been incredibly influential and is arguably responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars worth of charitable donations aimed at reducing extreme poverty. A plaque near the lake and a modest launch event could inspire College members to reflect on their relative privilege and to engage more deeply with the fight against global poverty.

Open Scholarship Across the Sciences and Humanities

There is currently limited dialogue between sciences and humanities on the value of open research and access to facilities to acquire data can be challenging or even impossible for researchers from disadvantaged backgrounds. With the support of the Bodleian Open Scholarship team, a half-day event at Worcester College will shine a light on these practices. This event will inform the Worcester academic community about the reproducibility crisis and need for open research, it will help identify commonalities across fields, facilitate communication between Worcester researchers, and establish an open research advocate network within Oxford.

TuesGay Movie Nights

Every other Tuesday, the Worcester Middle Common Room transforms into a cozy space for TuesGay Movie Night, a celebration of LGBTQ+ stories and cinema. This bi-weekly event brings together students and community members to enjoy films that highlight diverse LGBTQ+ experiences, from heartfelt dramas to uplifting comedies. Designed to foster connection and understanding, the screenings provide a relaxed and welcoming environment where attendees can engage with powerful narratives and share meaningful conversations. By creating a consistent community gathering, TuesGays build connections among attendees, enhance visibility for underrepresented voices and cultivate a sense of belonging.

Worcester Arts Week

Worcester Arts Week will take place with the annual Exhibition 004 at its centre. The week will launch with the exhibition and continue with talks and activities which will also give visitors the chance to view the show as it remains on display. This event is an expansion of the EDI conference hosted by Visual Arts Worcester last year, opening up accessibility to the arts and providing a voice to under-represented artists.

World Flavours Luncheon

This event will celebrate diversity and connection by featuring cuisine from at least five different cultural backgrounds. Each dish will represent a unique cultural tradition and the aim of the luncheon is to create an inclusive space where everyone can share, learn and appreciate the rich tapestry of global culinary traditions, as well as the meanings they hold in the culture of Worcester members.