The Diversity and Inclusion Team

Creating an inclusive environment is everyone's responsibility, but we also have a Diversity and Inclusion Team that provides co-ordination and support for the D&I efforts of staff and students across Reading.

Leading the team is Professor Allán Laville, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Diversity and Inclusion. Allán provides direction and encouragement on diversity and inclusion and report directly to the University Executive Board.

The team also works in partnership with the Reading Students' Union, and the Student and Academic Services team leads the majority of student-focused diversity work.

Meet the team

Professor Allán Laville

As Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor Diversity and Inclusion, Professor Allán Laville is expected to play a leading role in supporting a culture of diverse representation of staff at all levels of the institution – identifying opportunities for the University to benefit from diversity and inclusion initiatives across a broad spectrum of activities. He also oversees the management of all submissions for recognition and/or accreditation for a range of diversity and inclusion indicators (e.g. Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter Mark, Disability Confident Scheme).

Laura Martin (Maternity Cover)
Laura is the Diversity and Inclusion Advisor at the university. Her previous work focused on co-developing policies and training that address inequalities faced by marginalised communities. With experience in local authorities and the charity sector, she helped establish a city-wide Disability Equality Commission and continued a City Leadership Programme for underrepresented youth. Laura has also coordinated race equity stakeholder groups, co-produced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, and chaired a Disabled Staff Network with over 200 members. At the University of Reading, she takes a holistic approach to advancing Diversity and Inclusion priorities while co-producing initiatives that prioritise lived experiences and enhance communication throughout the university.

Ceara [Kie-ra] Webster (Maternity Leave)

Ceara is the University’s Diversity and Inclusion Adviser, with experience of delivering inclusive initiatives in both Environment and Higher Education sectors. In Higher Education, she promoted the Her Innovation Collective programme and helped develop the Decolonising Education course with colleagues at the University of Bristol. She started her career developing co-design approaches for projects and policies in the environment sector in Scotland to diversify the sector and who is able to experience nature. Now, their priority is creating and sustaining equity, inclusion, and belonging in Higher Education across various D&I initiatives. 

Susan Thornton

Susan is the University's Assistant Director HR (People & Talent). She has specialised in learning and development for over 20 years and has experience designing and facilitating a range of diversity and inclusion development solutions. In her current role, Susan is the University’s Aurora Champion and leads on provision of diversity leadership programmes.