Kofi Appiah

(He/him)

Job/background

I work at the University as a lecturer at the Department of Computer Science. Before joining University of York I worked as a lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University and Nottingham Trent University. 

What does EDI mean to you? Why is it important to you?

Travelling from Ghana for the first time to Europe for my postgraduate education gave me the opportunity to interact with other international students to know more about their culture and how they manage to integrate. It has always been interesting to know how other international students are judged based on their looks. It is equally interesting to know from the home students what they expect or their assumptions about international students. Sharing experiences from both sides is always challenging but rewarding.  

How are you involved in EDI activity at York?

I serve on the Computer Science departmental EDIC as the staff representative mainly to represent staff views checking and challenging to ensure the University implements policies in line with the Equality Act 2010. I have recently volunteered to sit in the Chemistry Department’s EDIC to understand measures other departments put in place to ensure the University’s EDI strategy is met. 

Name someone who inspires you in relation to equality? 

Nelson Mandela

Do you have any advice on how to engage with EDI activity in York?

I am very interested and keen to learn more about the effort the University is putting in place to make staff and students feel that they are an integral part of the York community and above all, share my experience over the past decade to influence some of the decisions in a positive way. 

You can talk to me about…

Technology, athletics and very soon boxing.