Maria Ayaz

As Head of Equality and Diversity, my role, alongside my job share partner, is to drive the development and implementation of the University's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy with the overall management of the Equality & Diversity Office. Together we represent the team on key University Committees, including University Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Access and Participation Steering Group and Student Life Committee, ensuring equality issues are integral to the University's vision and values. We also drive the University’s EDI agenda via the Race Equality Coordination Group, Disability Inclusion Framework and Athena Swan Steering Group.

When I joined York in 2016, I was identified as the first Muslim woman of British-Pakistani heritage in a senior grade. I am dedicated to changing this narrative and ensuring more women of colour are represented within senior roles, and I see SREF as a catalyst to help support and develop staff from a Black, Asian or minoritised ethnic background to seek opportunities at York.