What I do
Vision: For organisations and institutions to cultivate and nurture infrastructures, cultures, systems and journeys that are worth being included in.
Mission: Integrate intersectionality and inclusion into systems and society through knowledge creation and implementation to create transformative outcomes and impact for people, places and communities.
Success
Led a ground breaking initiative to designing inclusive cultures for international, online and distance education students across the world.
Led the intersectional analysis and commentary of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s flagship ‘Inclusive Cultures in Engineering 2023’ report.
Led the redevelopment of the internationally recognised Race Equality Charter to be led by outcomes and developed and implemented the first Anti-Racism Theory of Changes for over 90+ universities in the UK.
Synthesising and archiving large intersectional and diversity data for a government client which can be used for bid writing and marketing campaigns.
Led on a diversity and inclusion analysis to inform the new strategy and re-design of an entire mental health service.
Conducted exceptional numbers of intersectional interviews and focus groups to develop empowering strategies.
Used insights from a longitudinal multi-site research project to inform equality, diversity and inclusion workforce strategies across healthcare and higher education.
Developing Theory of Change for equity, diversity and inclusion work for an entire higher education sector.
Leading national and international evidence and learning strategies to prevent and protect the most marginalised and deprived groups from harm.
Consulting on leading evidence-based meaningful diversity and inclusion strategies.
Won a number of diversity, inclusion and intersectionality research awards and grants, including the Mike Baker Doctoral Award, George Lawrence Award, Nuffield Science Research Award, University of Dundee Research Award, Research Pioneer Award.
Board Appointments
UKRI Research England: Chair of the EDI Expert Advisory Group (2023/24 - present)
Universities UK: Tackling Racial Harassment Advisory Group Member (2022-23)
Research England/Office for Students: Postgraduate Research Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Access Fund Steering Group Member (2021 - present)
Surrey Black Scholars (University of Surrey) Advisory Group Member (2022-23)
Non-Executive Director, Getting on Board (2021-24)
Fellow of the RSA
Publications
Megson-Smith, R & Verma, A. (2023). How a community mobilised to challenge racism in HE. Transforming Society. Policy Press.
Verma, A. (2022). What will your anti-racist university look like? Times Higher Education.
Verma, A. (2021). Anti-racism in higher education: an action guide for change. Bristol: Policy Pres (Bristol University Press).
Verma, A. 2021. Using audio-diaries for research and education: AMEE Guide No. 144. Medical Teacher, pp.1-7.
Verma, A. and Bizas, N., 2020. Conducting the emergency response evaluation in the COVID-19 era: reflections on complexity and positionality. Researching in the Age of COVID-19 Vol 1: Volume I: Response and Reassessment, p.105.
Verma, A. (2020). Intersectionality, positioning and narrative: exploring the utility of audio diaries in healthcare students’ workplace learning, International Social Science Journal https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/issj.12244
Verma, A. (2016). Software Review: The ATLAS.ti Qualitative Revolution. PsyPAG Quarterly. (98).
Verma, A, Rees, C, Ajjawi, R, Monrouxe, L, (2016). “"I Felt That If I Challenged Him It Would Make My Life Difficult": Exploring Gendered Identities, Retention and Success in Healthcare Education. Presented at OTTAWA/ANZAHPE 2016, Perth, Australia.
Verma, A, Rees, C, Ajjawi, R, Monrouxe, L, Schofield, S. (2016). “Longitudinal Audio Diaries: A method to explore intersecting personal and professional identities in healthcare education research. Presented at OTTAWA/ANZAHPE 2016, Perth, Australia.
Verma, AK (2015). “He replied, ‘I haven’t had you… yet”: Exploring gendered identities in healthcare education. Guest Lecture at the Centre for Medical Education Health Professions Education Series, University of Dundee.
Verma, A, Rees, C, Ajjawi, R, Monrouxe, L, (2015). “Ooh your surprisingly strong for a girl”: Gender, Retention & Success in healthcare education. Presented at Feminisms, Power and Pedagogy: 10th Biennial Conference of the Gender and Education Association, University of Roehampton.
Verma, A (2015). Retention and Success in Healthcare Education: Exploring the influence of gendered identities in male- and female-dominated environments. Poster presentation at the College of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing Symposium, University of Dundee.
Rees CE, Monrouxe LV, Ajjawi R, Verma A (2014) Symposium: Observing, interviewing, diarising: Understanding personal and professional identities in health professions education. Presented at ProPEL: Professional Practice, Education and Learning International Conference, University of Stirling.
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world” - Gandhi