Linda Peka

Chief College Operations Officer

"I’m delighted to be an LGBTQ+ ally. I believe it’s hugely important for me to openly demonstrate that I’m available for a conversation and ready to talk about issues which face the LGBTQ+ community here at the University of Exeter. Indeed, by doing so we foster a culture where it becomes so much easier for people to be themselves at work.

As a member of the VCEG, I made a personal pledge that I would use my position to nudge forward our inclusive culture by being braver, bolder and more open as an institution; I feel very privileged to be in a position where I can do that."

Jane Chafer

Director of Marketing, Recruitment, Communications and Global

"Being an ally for LGBTQ+ is important to me as I believe it gives a message of inclusivity and that atmosphere and culture allows people to be comfortable bringing their whole selves to work. It shows that I understand and support the issues which the LGBTQ community might face within a working environment. By being an ally I can lead my team by example."

Professor David Hosken

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Cornwall

"Equality of experience and opportunity are guiding principles for me and so I am really pleased to be a LGBTQ ally and to Chair the Cornwall Campuses Inclusivity Group. 

It is really important to demonstrate a commitment to inclusion and dignity and respect in the workplace, and this is fundamental to my role as the PVC for Cornwall.

By working with the whole Cornwall team, we will enable all colleagues to thrive in and enjoy their work on our campuses."

Imelda Rogers

Director of Human Resources

“I am proud to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community as a part of our commitment to inclusivity, we want people to be their best selves at work and to create a working environment that enables this.

I strive to understand and support the issues facing our LGBTQ+ colleagues and students, and as an ally share this with the teams I lead. As a team HR are truly committed to LGBTQ+ equality and strive to demonstrate this by making our workplace, services and products LGBTQ+ inclusive.”

Rachel Burn

Director of College Operations (College of Medicine and Health)

"As Director of College Operations for the College of Medicine and Health, I have overall leadership responsibility for operational and administrative support in the College.

I am proud to be one of the University's Speak Out Guardians and an LGBTQ+ Ally as I have a strong belief that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect."

Professor Jo Gill

Pro Vice-Chancellor, College of Humanities

"I aspire to be an ally because I think it's important that we work and learn in an inclusive environment that is open to all."

Dr Robert Lamb

Head of Department (Politics)

"I’m the Head of the Politics department and am delighted to count myself as an LGBTQ+ ally. I attended an excellent Stonewall workshop for allies last Spring: it was a provocative, eye-opening, often moving, day that brought together academic and professional services staff to have conversations about an array of issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community at work.

In thinking about what makes an inclusive university (or department), one value (or virtue) that I am especially interested in is what philosophers call ‘epistemic humility’, which is, in slightly crude terms, the idea that because our knowledge is inevitably partial, and bound up in our own experiences of the world, we therefore need to cultivate the art of listening to others, and learning from their experiences. I think it is only by thinking seriously about this (and practising it) that we can make the workplace a safer, more open and inclusive environment, one in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We can do more than just make people feel welcome – we can help people fundamentally change their working environment in a way that reflects their identities."