The Race Institute is part of Leeds Trinity’s overall ambition to become a leading anti-racist university.

We will pave the way for institutions on a national scale by bringing together organisations from the private, public and voluntary sectors.

Our principles

  • We take an accessible, agile, swift learning and immediate dissemination approach to contemporary anti-racists topics of interest to the public, private and voluntary sectors
  • Our practices are informed by the principles of public and community engagement in (action) research and accountability
  • We take a collaborative approach to our work, ensuring that is of mutual benefit and based on reciprocity

 

Directors

Professor Nadira Mirza

Director

Nadira Mirza is Professor of Lifelong Learning and Social Mobility and the Director of the Race Institute at Leeds Trinity University (LTU). She is also the Deputy Chair of Airedale Hospitals Foundation Trust. She was formerly the Dean of the School of Lifelong Education and Development and the Director of Student Experience and Success at the University of Bradford, where she was instrumental in developing widening participation and access programmes in higher education for first generation scholars and mature learners. Nadira has been a member of several national and international boards charged with transforming health and education outcomes, these include the Office for Students’, Widening Participation Strategy Committee, the Prime Minister’s Social Mobility Advisory Reference Group, and the NHSI/E Seacole Group. Nadira has worked with Born in Bradford since the study was first initiated, co-chairing the family advocacy group. She is also a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has published in the field of lifelong learning, race, equity, and inclusion.

Nadira Mirza, Director of the Race Institute.

Dr Shames Maskeen

Associate Director

Dr Shames Maskeen is the Associate Director of The Race Institute and Lecturer in Developmental Psychology at Leeds Trinity University. The Race Institute aims to improve the experiences of racialised minorities in the public, private and voluntary sectors through research, CPD and knowledge exchange. The Race Institute emerged from the need to keep anti-racism on the national agenda to enable sustained transformational change.

Shames is a member of the Centre for Applied Education Research steering group, Co-Chairs the Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnicities student network at Go Higher West Yorkshire and is an Associate for Race Equality at Advance HE. His research focusses on solving racial inequities and the intersection of culture, religion, and gender experienced by racialised minorities in Higher Education and beyond.

In his previous role as Institutional Lead for the Race Equality Charter, he was the driving force in Leeds Trinity University becoming the first University in Yorkshire to achieve the Bronze award. He is passionate about anti-racism leadership and more importantly in taking action to make a real difference and equitable world for young people.

Shames Maskeen, Associate Director of The Race Institute.

The Race Institute Webinar series

Join us for a free four-part webinar series hosted by The Race Institute at Leeds Trinity University and Universities UK.

This series is designed to inspire, empower, and equip staff at all levels of higher education to champion anti-racist transformation. This series delves into the critical role of courageous leadership in dismantling systemic racism and reshaping institutions to foster equity, inclusion, and justice.

Each session will feature expert speakers, candid discussions, and actionable strategies to drive meaningful change.

Webinar 1: Anti-Racist Leadership from the Top: University Executives Challenging the Status Quo

Date: Thursday 30 January 2025 | Time: 2:00–3:00 PM

Explore how university executives are disrupting the status quo and embedding anti-racist principles at the highest levels.

Key Objectives:

  • Define strategic vision and commitment for senior leaders to embed anti-racist principles within the university’s culture, curriculum, and policies.
  • Share best practices and challenges encountered in leading anti-racist initiatives.
  • Inspire leaders to model transparent and courageous leadership.

Find out more and book for Webinar 1 on the Universities UK website.

 

Webinar 2: Early career professionals: Agents of change in anti-racist leadership

Date: Wednesday 26 February 2025 | Time: 2:00–3:00 PM

Highlighting the vital contributions of early career professionals, this session examines how emerging leaders drive grassroots anti-racist initiatives.

Key Objectives:

  • Understand the experiences of Early Career Professionals in developing and implementing anti-racist initiatives.
  • Provide strategies for Early Career Professionals advocating for systemic change.
  • Recognise the influence of Early Career Professionals and empower emerging leaders within the university community.

Find out more and book for Webinar 2 on the Universities UK website. 

 

Webinar 3: Today’s students, tomorrow’s Vice-Chancellors: Anti-racist leaders in the making

Date: Wednesday 26 March 2025 | Time: 2:00–3:00 PM

Discover how student leaders are shaping anti-racist change, holding institutions accountable, and fostering inclusive campus cultures.

Key Objectives:

  • Discuss the role of students in advancing anti-racist initiatives and fostering an inclusive campus culture.
  • Examine challenges faced by student advocates when advocating for institutional change.
  • Empower students with tools for creating anti-racist change within their academic environments.

Find out more and book for Webinar 3 on the Universities UK website. 

 

Webinar 4: Reciprocal mentoring as a bridge for anti-racist leadership

Date: Wednesday 30 April 2025 | Time: 2:00–3:00 PM

Learn how reciprocal mentoring between Early Career Professionals and senior leaders builds empathy, understanding, and transformational leadership.

Key Objectives:

  • Explore the benefits and challenges of reciprocal mentoring as a tool for anti-racist transformation.
  • Provide a model for mentorship that bridges gaps and builds mutual understanding between Early Career Professionals and Senior Leadership.
  • Inspire attendees to adopt or promote reciprocal mentoring within their own institutions.

Find out more and book for Webinar 4 on the Universities UK website. 

Contact The Race Institute

Collaborate with us on Research, professional development, consultancy and knowledge exchange.

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