Conference aims to devise ways to overcome inequality in society

A leading peace and human rights campaigner will join a host of influential speakers for a high-profile conference at the University of Northampton.

Ahlam Akram, who is an activist for the implementation of universal women’s rights, will give a keynote speech at The Approaches to Inequalities Conference, which takes place on Wednesday 20 September.

The annual event, which is now in its third year, has the theme Whose Business Is It? and aims to address discrimination and inequality within society and to suggest positive ways forward for addressing these.

Conference organiser, Senior Lecturer in Law Dr Melanie Crofts, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the third ‘Approaches to Inequalities’ conference.

“Once again we have some outstanding keynote speakers and panel members lined up and  we also have a great range of papers.

“We are delighted to welcome Ahlam Akram as the first keynote speaker.  She is a peace and human rights campaigner as well as a writer and broadcaster.  She is also a humanitarian and activist for the implementation of universal women’s rights.  Ahlam is the founder of BASIRA, British Arabs Supporting Universal Women’s Rights, a not-for-profit organisation that holds screenings of thought-provoking films dealing with current social issues that stand as an obstacle in social progress and justice for women, which is the essence of democracy, in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

“Discrimination and violence against women are still prevalent around the world and we welcome the opportunity to discuss these important issues at the conference and to discuss women’s rights and the impact of discrimination in a UK context.  Whose ‘business’ is it to challenge discrimination and violence against women?”

The second keynote is Adrienne Dixson, Professor of Education Policy, Organisation and Leadership at the University of Illinois.

Dr Crofts added: “Adrienne’s primary research interest focuses on how issues of race, class and gender intersect and impact educational equity in urban schooling contexts. She locates her research within two theoretical frameworks: Critical Race Theory and Black feminist theories. With continuing discussions around the BAME attainment gap in education in the UK as well as differential outcomes for BAME students in terms of retention, progression and employment post-University, we welcome Adrienne’s insights and hope that we can prompt discussions around educational policy as well as discrimination and issues around intersectionality more broadly.  Once again, whose ‘business’ is it to address the discrimination which BAME and other groups face?”

Dr Crofts added: “We hope that the conference will be an opportunity for activists, academics, students, members of the public and voluntary sectors as well as business leaders to be able to discuss the ongoing inequalities within society and to suggest positive ways forward for addressing these.”

For more information, and to register your attendance, visit the event page.