Your 2023/24 BAME Ambassadors

A photo of Damilare Oyetunju

Damilare Oyetunji

BAME Ambassador

I’m Damilare Oyetunji, your BAME Project Coordinator for 23/24. I will be the driving force behind projects that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion of BAME students at SHU. My focus primarily will be on ensuring the Decolonization of our curriculum and the development of a well-researched Anti-Racist Student Union Manifesto which will serve as a comprehensive guide outlining the SU's commitment to anti-racism. To achieve these, I will be collaborating with cross-functional teams and engaging with stakeholders, therefore, I am open to suggestions on how you think we can achieve these together.

A photo of Aidah Shah

Aidah Shah

BAME Ambassador

Hi, I’m Aidah, your BAME Ambassador for 2023/24. I am excited to address the challenges that BAME students face during their academic journey, including issues related to the degree awarding gap. I am passionate about creating positive change and working towards a more inclusive learning environment. I’m eager to hear any insights and suggestions on how we can improve the student experience to make real change.

Our research

Degree awarding gap

Dami and Aidah explain what the degree awarding gap is, how it came about, and the work they are doing to help reduce the gap.

Past research

Udeme, BAME Student Research Ambassador 2022/23, conducted new research into two main areas, barriers to sports and societies and the degree awarding gap. Both of these issues have looked at BAME students' experiences at Hallam.

Disaggregating the BAME Degree Awarding Gap: Understanding the Experiences of 'Black' Students

View full report

View report summary

Perceived barriers & potential solutions to participation in sports & societies among home BAME students

View full report

A Black student waving off to the side of the camera

Resources

BAME Must Reads List

Black Ballad

BAME Businesses

Decolonisation for Beginners

Cultural Capital Worksheet

To BAME or not to BAME

Intersectionality 101

FAQs

How can I become a BAME Ambassador?

We welcome you to apply for the BAME Ambassador roles if you're a current student at SHU and you identify as Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic. Read the person specification and see if you're what we're looking for. Don't forget to read the job description to check the role is a good fit for you, then fill out the application form to apply! Applications open over every summer between academic years, we have this years officers now in place, please apply next year!

What is my SU?

We are your Students' Union (SU), run by students, for students. If you're enrolled on a course at SHU then you're a member of Sheffield Hallam Students' Union too! We want to support you through your university journey and make sure you have fun whilst you're here. Did you know that at your SU you can get involved in societies (or create one!), volunteering, activities, events, and even run for the position of an SU Officer!

Why do we want BAME Ambassadors?

We hope that the BAME Ambassadors will provide BAME students at SHU with an added layer of support. We also want to empower our BAME Ambassadors to create a supportive community for their peers. The Ambassadors will help us at the Students' Union to identify and address academic and wellbeing issues that could be sustaining the Degree Awarding Gap or detrimentally impacting the university experience of BAME students from the UK. Our Ambassadors will work to represent the Students' Union as well as to hold us accountable for any change and development we can make.

What is the BAME Degree Awarding Gap?

The Degree Awarding Gap is the difference in degree outcomes for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic students, compared to White students. Our BAME Research Ambassadors will identify the factors that maintain the Awarding Gap, and our BAME Project Ambassadors will come up with creative solutions to address them.

Why is your SU getting involved?

We try to support our students as best as we can, whether that's with wellbeing queries, academic support, or providing opportunities for employment. We want all of our students to thrive whilst at university, no matter what their background is! Our research has found that ethnic minority wellbeing and mental health are very important contributors to individuals' experiences at university, and that they are linked to degree awarding outcomes. We understand the many pressures some of our students face and want to help break down the barriers BAME students from the UK face within higher education.