On Thursday 26 June 2025, Dr Diana Johnson and Dr Sam Mapston hosted a launch event for a newly created ‘Economic Crime Experts Directory’ at the Bristol Business School building, UWE Bristol.
The Directory is situated on the UWE Bristol website and can be accessed using the link below:
The Directory aims to facilitate connections between academics who publish research about economic crime with stakeholders, such as the government, law enforcement, civil society and policy makers, who may find the research useful.
The launch event featured two keynote speakers: Holly-Anne Brennan, Head of the International Illicit Finance Team in the Economic Crime Directorate, Home Office and Professor Michael Levi, Cardiff University.
Above: Holly-Anne Brennan, Head of Illicit Finance (Home Office) giving a keynote address.Above: Professor Michael Levi (Cardiff University) giving a keynote address.
There was also a panel discussion which discussed both the advantages and the problems associated with stakeholders finding relevant research. The panel, chaired by Diana, comprised representatives of various stakeholders and one academic:
Kathryn Westmore (Senior Research Fellow, Royal United Services Institute)
Andrew Kennard (Detective Inspector, South West Regional Organised Crime Unit)
Above: Panel discussion on the use of academic research by stakeholders.
The event was attended by over 60 representatives from government, law enforcement, academia, civil society and the private sector, with plenty of opportunities for networking. It has received extremely positive feedback from attendees.
Above: Drs Sam Mapston (left) and Diana Johnson (right) hosting the launch of the Economic Crime Experts Directory.
If you have any queries about this Directory, or if you would like to be added to it as either an expert or a stakeholder, please contact the Directory designers on the email addresses below:
The public engagement events were held in the Indonesian cities of Surabaya and Makassar during 16 to 20 June 2025 in collaboration with the Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama (UNU) Sidoarjo and University Islam Makassar. The purpose of these events was to engage with university leadership, government organisations, civil societies, non-government organisations, students, faculty members and staff to disseminate and get feedback from the stakeholders on a road map which aims to reduce access gap and to mainstream inclusive education practice in Indonesia higher education. This road map was developed as part of this project.
Dr Tariq Umar with speakers and experts at Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama (UNU) Sidoarjo
The events also explored the challenges and opportunities in implementing this proposed road map in the higher education institutions. Special arrangements were made for the accessibility that include but not limited to inclusive venues for the events and sign language interpretation to ensure wider participation including accessibility for disabled participants. The events were run in hybrid format allowing participation in-person and online through Zoom. The events were also broadcast using the partner institutions’ official YouTube channels.
In his initial introduction, Dr Umar highlighted that, in Indonesia, more than 10 million disabled people entering the workforce, however, only 7% (less than 1 million) have a college or university qualification. While the number of workers with disabilities is increasing, universities in Indonesia seldom accept students with disabilities with a simple reason that they do not have infrastructures, polies and procedures to support such students. He also explained the research approach which used to develop the road map. The approach adopted consisted of:
a thorough review of policies, practices, and relevant regulations in the context of higher education for disabled people in Indonesia
30 interviews with disabled students, higher education experts, policy makers and government officials
the benchmarking of policies, practices, and relevant regulations.
He emphasised infrastructure accessibility as the main challenge in Indonesia’s higher education sector and explained how this could be mitigated through:
legal and regulatory frameworks
institutional practices and support services
physical accessibility and infrastructure
awareness and inclusivity culture
funding and resources
student involvement and advocacy.
Dr Umar also outlined the UWE Bristol disability support services highlighting their key initiative in supporting disability students and staff including personalised support plans, assistive technology and equipment, mental health and wellbeing support, inclusive campus design, and dedicated disability advice team.
Two separate disability commissioners in Indonesia also attended our events in both cities. They stated that it is of the outmost importance to implement this road map now in all the universities in Indonesia. They stated that they will take this with government developing a strategy in phase implementation.
Dr Tariq Umar with event participants in University Islam Makassar
In Sidoarjo, the total number of participants both on-site and online were 324 from a total of 28 different organisations, while in Makassar, the total number of participants stand at 210 from 22 different organisations.
In the two focus groups, the feedback from different participants were recorded, arriving on strategies and recommendations both for the government and universities on how to implement the proposed road map.
The project team will be working and supporting relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the road map.
The events in both cities attracted great attention of local media. The following are some of the web links which show the coverage of our events in Indonesia, including links to the videos on YouTube:
Dr Umar’s project aims to develop Psychological Resilience in Women Leaders and to strengthen the support systems in Malaysian and Indonesian Universities. He is leading the project working collaboratively with colleagues from Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia; Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Indonesia and Women Leadership Foundation in Malaysia.
Early in October 2024, Dr Umar was invited to by the SEAMEO RIHED and the British Council to share his experience and work on Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (GEDI) with 40 government and HEI (Higher Education Institution) leaders from 11 South East Asian countries. The event was held on 24 and 25 October 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dr Umar stated that “despite their growing presence in academia, women in HEIs often face systemic barriers that impede their career progression. These barriers include imposter syndrome, self-doubt, difficulties in achieving work-life balance, and the lack of psychological resilience due to inadequate institutional support systems. One of the most pervasive challenges for women in leadership is imposter syndrome – a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their capabilities and feel undeserving of their achievements. Women in academia and leadership often internalize societal biases, which may lead to feelings of inadequacy despite their qualifications and accomplishments”.
The goal of this project is therefore to:
promote inclusive leadership by addressing gender disparities in HEIs.
strengthen institutional policies to support women in achieving leadership roles.
create a culture of diversity and inclusivity that values the contributions of women from various ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds.
To achieve these goals, the project activities include administration of surveys and questionnaires to target population, focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders, development of infographic materials and booklet, dialogues with policy makers and board members and awareness campaigns. The project activities will continue for six months.
The project is expected to result into meaningful impact and bring a variety of benefits to UM, UGM and other participating institutions both from Malaysia and Indonesia. The project team hope that the project will increase representation of women in academic leadership roles due to mentorship and policy reforms. From the finding of the project, UM and UGM will adopt more inclusive practices, leading to improved job satisfaction and career progression for women and marginalized groups. By fostering a sense of belonging and equal opportunity, the project team expect that individuals from diverse ethnicities, and abilities will be empowered to contribute to the academic community in a more effective manner. finally, the project will influence long-term changes in institutional policies, leading to sustained improvements in gender equity and inclusivity in HEIs.
In case you have any questions, need more information and want to collaborate in the areas of GEDI, please contact the project lead, Dr Umar (tariq.umar@uwe.ac.uk).
Dr Tariq Umar, Senior Lecturer from the School of Architecture and Environment (UWE Bristol), was a guest speaker at the British Academy (BA) Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) event on gender and Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) in November 2024. The event was held at the British Academy in London, which well attended by researchers and experts on gender and EDI from across the UK.
At the event, Dr Umar shared his insight on the strategies for gender, and EDI in funding application. He built arguments for strategies on gender and EDI on his current two successful funding applications:
Dr Umar discussed that researchers often need to capture several gender- related aspects with limited word count. He explained that the gender dimensions and their implications could be different depending on the nature of research. However, some of the context which funders always want to see include measures on how to engage all genders, what are the expected impact on different genders, the power relations – not only in the project team but also the participants and the risks and unintended negative consequences related to genders. He also stated that it is also important to indicate how the outcomes and outputs will be measured with data disaggregated or not disaggregated by age and gender – explaining the reasons for the choice.
He explained that similar to gender, most, in fact all funders will require an EDI statement, which has a very strict and a brief word count. While it will depend on the nature and funding availability of the project, funders will want to see some of the main EDI dimensions which include age, disability, ethnic and racial diversity, religious inclusivity, sexual orientation and gender identity, socio-economic background, language inclusivity, community engagement.
Dr Umar provided brief examples of each of the above dimensions. For example, on age, he mentioned that a project can be open to individuals of all age groups and can provide equal opportunities for participation and learning. However, if the project is open for children, then there should a rationale for this and of course the safeguarding element will also apply which will include the DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service). Likewise, he mentioned that for sexual orientation and gender identity, creating a safe and inclusive environment for individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities is important. The research team will need to demonstrate the steps they will take to ensure this.
At the end of the session, participants asked several questions related to their specific research topics in the context of gender and EDI. Dr Umar provided hints and tips looking to their specific need and project dimensions. The session was well appreciated by the participants providing very positive feedback.
The onsite activities which included public engagement events were held in Indonesia from 20 to 24 January 2025.
The first public engagement event was organized at UNU campus which was attended by more than 200 participants including disabled students, academic from different universities from Yogyakarta and civil society organizations and individual activists.
In his keynote speech, Dr Umar provided the background of the project including the statistics on disabled people in Indonesia with no qualification. He shared the key results of the project arriving from the different activities of project linking it to the (i) Legal and Regulatory Frameworks, (ii) Institutional Practices and Support Services (iii) Physical Accessibility and Infrastructure, (iv) Awareness and Inclusivity Culture, (v) Funding and Resources, and (vi) Student Involvement and Advocacy.
During his presentation, he also shed light on the “roadmap to reduce access and to mainstream inclusive education practices in higher education in Indonesia” – a four-year plan specifically developed for the Indonesian higher education to implement inclusive education practices. During the focus group discussion, Dr Umar explained the UWE Bristol approach to inclusive education and highlighted the key strategies to support disabled students. Inclusive Higher Education, a website developed as part of the project was also launched during the public engagement event.
Road Map for Inclusive Education in Indonesia
As part of the project, Dr Umar also visited the Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University (UIN Sunan Kalijaga) and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) where he delivered a lecture and a seminar on inclusive education, and on how to support disabled students in higher education. He also met with the Head of Disability Services Unit, disabled students’ society and volunteers supporting the Disability Service Unit.
Meeting with disabled students and volunteers of the Disability Services Unit
Dr Umar along with the project team also visited three civil society organizations, OHANA, SAPDA and YAKKUM, to acknowledge their support for the project, and their role in supporting and empowering disabled people in Indonesia. The discussion and engagement with all collaborators reveal that great effort is needed to address the challenges associated with disability, including the issues faced by disabled students in higher education in Indonesia.
The onsite activities attracted the attention of local media. Links to the Indonesian news articles are provided below:
Above: Dr Tariq Umar with UPRA Management and Project Team.
Dr Tariq Umar, Senior Lecturer in Construction Project Management at the School of Architecture and Environment (UWE Bristol), visited UPRA as part of the funded project “Improving soft skills, learning outcomes and employability of women students, graduates, and early career professionals in STEM”. The aim of this project was to develop a partnership between the UPRA, Mexico and the UWE Bristol, UK in the areas of soft skills, learning outcomes and employability of women students, graduates, and early career professionals to improve their participation and leadership in the STEM disciplines.
Above: Dr Umar with UPRA Management and Project Team.
The four-day onsite event was held at the UPRA campus from 7 to 10 January 2025, which included a public engagement event, interaction with students, environmental awareness sessions, and faculty member training.
In the first public engagement event, Dr Umar introduced the project to the wider participants that included students and faculty members from four different universities in the Coahuila State of Mexico, and members of public from both cities of Saltillo and Ramos Arizpe.
In his presentation, Dr Umar highlighted the gender gap in STEM-related subjects within global and Mexican contexts. He outlined how addressing this gap could bring a positive impact on the economy. He also highlighted some of the key challenges faced by the women in STEM and provided solutions on how to address these challenges. This event was attended more than 100 participants.
Above: Dr Umar with the Rector of UPRA and other invited guests from Mexico.
Environmental Awareness session
Dr Umar also delivered a session to final year engineering students on “Environmental awareness in Coahuila, Mexico: Challenges and actions” in which he covered the environmental challenges in Coahuila and explored actionable solutions for students and faculty. He highlighted the key challenges faced by the Coahuila state in Mexico which include (i) air pollution from industrial emissions and mining activities, (ii) water scarcity and contamination, (iii) deforestation and habitat destruction, and (iv) waste management challenges: lack of recycling infrastructure. These issues were then supplemented by their impact on economic and human life.
To motivate the students and faculty to contribute to the protection on environment, he outlined some of the local initiatives which include the “Planting Hope” in which 700 students and teachers from 19 schools planted 400 trees in a week. Likewise, he also highlighted some of the government initiatives, which included the Villanueva solar plant with its 2.3 million solar panels spread over, 2,400 hectares and producing 754 MW. He then gave students an activity to develop a sustainable action plan for the university and to raise awareness on waste generation and recycling. This event was attended by more than 50 students and faculty members.
Above: Dr Umar with participants of the Environmental Awareness Session.
Teacher training – Supporting students in STEM
Dr Umar also delivered a workshop on “Supporting students in STEM disciplines” which was well-attended by the faculty members of UPRA and the other four universities from Coahuila. In the workshop, he highlighted the importance of STEM higher education for innovation and economic growth, solving global challenges, workforce development, addressing national (Mexico) challenges, improving educational equity, youth empowerment and brain drain mitigation, and for UN SDGs. He also discussed the global trends in STEM industries and their economic impact. He then outlined the common challenges in STEM higher education that included academic rigour and workload, gender disparity and inclusivity, lack of practical experience and mentorship.
Dr Umar further highlighted the specific challenges in Mexican contexts which included the resource limitations and language barriers in accessing global content. He shared four key strategies to support STEM students which included (i) Creating a supportive learning environment, (ii) Providing access to resources, (iii) Mentorship programmes, and (iv) Promoting inclusivity and diversity. The participants were then supported with practical skills on how to use these strategies to support STEM students in engineering disciplines. This event was well appreciated by the attendees who provided positive feedback.
Future collaboration
Over the period of a week, Dr Umar had several interactions with students and faculty members not only from UPRA but also from four other universities in Coahuila. There were several interactions with industry and government and non-government organizations. Further meetings will be held online to develop future collaboration in research, teaching and learning, and students and staff exchange.
UWE Bristol in collaboration with Polytechnic University of the Philippines and British Council Philippines organised an International Conference and World Café: Advancing Transportation and Construction Management in the Philippines and United Kingdom.
Dr Tariq Umar, Senior Lecturer from the School of Architecture and Environment, at UWE Bristol, was the co-chair of the conference that was held on 22 November 2024 at Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP). The President of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manuel M Muhi, served as a Chair of the conference.
This conference was part of the existing collaboration between UWE Bristol, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the British Council in the Philippines. A delegation consisting of the president Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Manuel M. Muhi) and the Head of Education, Pierre Pecson, from the British Council Philippines explored opportunities to expand the existing collaboration. This conference was part of those efforts.
Delegation from the Philippines visiting UWE Bristol: from left to right, Manuel M Muhi (President Polytechnic University of the Philippines), Dr Tariq Umar (UWE Bristol) and Pierre Pecson, Head of Education from the British Council Philippines.
A funding of £5,000 from the British Council in the Philippines was granted to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines to organise this international conference.
The conference was opened with the opening remarks from the Chair, Manuel M Muhi and Dr Tariq Umar (co-chair). In his speech, Dr Umar stated: “Transportation and construction are the backbones of economic progress and social development. Whether it’s a high-speed rail network connecting cities in the UK or an ambitious infrastructure program transforming urban and rural landscapes in the Philippines, these industries shape how we live, work, and connect with one another.”
“However, alongside opportunities come significant challenges. The United Kingdom is grappling with issues like ageing infrastructure, cost overruns, and achieving net-zero carbon goals. Meanwhile, the Philippines is navigating rapid urbanisation, climate resilience, and the pursuit of technological integration in a developing economy. While these contexts differ, the common denominator is the need for sustainable solutions that balance efficiency, cost, and environmental impact.”
“This conference provides a unique platform to bridge knowledge, share experiences, and inspire collaborative innovation. By bringing together two nations with distinct challenges and opportunities, we can spark fresh perspectives, foster partnerships, and build a future where advancements in transportation and construction management benefit both our societies and our planet.”
“Over the next sessions, we will hear from leading experts, policymakers, and innovators who will share insights into cutting-edge technologies, best practices, and strategies to overcome barriers. We encourage you to engage actively, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for collaboration beyond this forum.”
“As we embark on this journey today, let us remember the immense responsibility that comes with the work we do. The decisions we make and the innovations we pursue will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and ensure that the future of transportation and construction is not just advanced but also equitable, inclusive, and sustainable”.
Dr Umar’s opening speech
The conference was well-attended by the delegates from the government, academic, industry and students from difference levels. The conference included keynotes, several plenary sessions and roundtable discussion in which speakers from diverse background cover topic related to trends and challenges, innovations and best practices in railway and construction management.
In his keynote speech, Dr Umar covered the “Current trends and challenges in railway and construction management”. He outlined the key trends in railway and construction management, the challenges faced by the UK and the Philippines and explored similarities, differences, and opportunities for collaboration.
The teams from both sides agreed to continue this collaboration and explore opportunities to organise such events in the following years.
Dr Tariq Umar, Senior Lecturer from the School of Built Environment and Architecture, College of Arts and Technology, UWE Bristol, was invited by the Coahuila state in Mexico to deliver workshops on classroom management and student engagement strategies for over 500 state teachers. The visit took place from 6 to 9 November 2024.
The Coahuila state in Mexico has a population of more than 3 million, divided into 38 municipalities, and has 17 public and private universities. The state government of Coahuila has put several initiates including the establishment of several organizations including INSPIRA which is mainly focusing on the community services, education, youth, women, and mental health.
Above: Coahuila State’s Municipalities
Dr Umar delivered two workshops on classroom management and student engagement strategies covering topics and activities on classroom management techniques, interactive learning strategies, active participation, using technology and multimedia and developing and improving subject curriculum. The workshops were attended by more than 500 teachers from different areas of the state.
Above: Workshop
He had several interactions with the INSPIRA team including meetings the lead of each focus area (community services, education, youth, women, and mental health). In the meeting with the honorary president of INSPIRA (Ms Paola Rodríguez López), it was explored that how to work together to establish a strong collaboration to address the challenges of the State. Dr Umar also shared the current ongoing project “Improving soft skills, learning outcomes and employability of women students, graduates, and early career professionals in STEM” is funded by the British Council, Mexico, and explain that how this project is aligned with the several initiatives of INSPIRA. This project is in collaboration with Universidad Politécnica de Ramos Arizpe (UPRA) located in Coahuila state aiming to improve women’s participation and leadership in the STEM disciplines.
While Dr Umar is expected to visit Coahuila again in January 2025, it was agreed to meet virtually in November and December.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has launched its Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme for 2025. These Fellowships aim to provide a development opportunity for those at the immediate postdoctoral stage of their career, allowing successful applicants to consolidate their PhD through developing publications and expanding their networks, as well as their research and professional skills.
These ESRC Fellowships are only available to universities that are part of a Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). UWE Bristol is a member of the South West DTP (SW DTP), which allows us to submit two applications for consideration. The SWDTP will assess around 21 applications from its partners and select four candidates for approval by the ESRC. More information is available from the SWDTP ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowships process.
This is a great opportunity to undertake an ESRC-funded postdoc fellowship at UWE Bristol, and we will offer full support in the application development process to the two successful candidates at the expression of interest (EOI) stage.
Eligibility
The Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to all who:
have completed their PhD at a UK university or research organisation.
have been awarded a PhD or have passed their viva voce with minor amendments by 25 March 2025 and have been awarded their PhD by the fellowship start date of 1 October 2025.
have no more than 12 months (full-time equivalent) of active postdoctoral experience since passing their viva voce (allowing for career breaks). This also applies if you have been employed under a fixed-term contract. Experience is calculated from the date you passed your viva voce to the ESRC SWDTP call on25 March 2025.
conduct research that is clearly over 50% based in the social sciences.
Activity
The ESRC Fellowships will start on 1 October 2025 and last for one year if full-time, or two years if part-time. Funding will cover the salary, indirect and estate costs, and up to £10,000 for all other costs.
ESRC online information event for prospective applicants (recording available from 25 November 2024).
24 January 2025
UWE Bristol EOI deadline (midday).
10 February 2025
Applicants informed of outcome; two selected to Full Stage.
18 March 2025
UWE Bristol deadline for Full Stage applications.
25 March 2025
SWDTP deadline to receive ESRC Full Stage applications.
Full Stage Applications w/c 15 May 2025
Anticipated outcomes from SWDTP.
SWDTP assessors will review all ESRC Full Stage applications sent in by the partners, and select four proposals to be funded. These four applications are then sent to ESRC for further processing. The ESRC does not conduct a full review of the applications, but will perform checks including verification of eligibility and page length requirements. Once the Full Stage application passes these checks, the ESRC will award the funding to the host institution.
Next steps for EOI applicants
Consider if your project complements the six Pathways held by UWE Bristol.
Identify a mentor. Applicants need to have a mentor as part of the ESRC Fellowship to support them in developing the Full Stage application. If you do not already have a mentor, please consider who is working in the Pathway at UWE Bristol and may be appropriate to support you. If you need help finding an appropriate mentor, please contact research@uwe.ac.uk at the earliest opportunity so you can discuss your potential project with them. The SWDTP also provides a supervisor database if needed.
Time is tight, and therefore we suggest that you only apply if you can work on the Full Stage application between mid-February and 18 March 2025.
Download the SWDTP – UWE Bristol EOI Template (DOCX) to draft your answers. If a new window does not open, please look for the file within your ‘Downloads’ folder. This word document offers comprehensive guidance on completing your EOI application, outlining expectations for your responses and where to find additional information. Please note the online EOI application (MS Forms) cannot save work in progress.
Copy-paste your answers on the online application, submit and email the required documentation before the deadline on 24 January 2024, midday.
All applicants are required to submit the following documentation as part of their EOI application:
2-page CV, including a list of your publications, minimum font size 11
Workplan: include a simple GANTT chart or excel spreadsheet outlining the timescale for key activities and milestones
Reference list for any citations in the application
Email your documents to research@uwe.ac.uk. In the email subject, please use “ESRC SWDTP Fellowship – your first name and surname”.
Documents and links
UWE Bristol has prepared a Guidance for Expression of Interest (EOI) at UWE Bristol (PDF), which includes links to the SWDTP, the ESRC and a screenshot of the EOI application. Please read this information in full before completing your EOI application.
Appreciating this is a very tight deadline, we recommend you familiarise yourself with the ESRC Full Stage application form in advance. The following documents are available on the SWDTP webpage:
The ESRC Fellowship – SWDTP applications at UWE Bristol is administered by Research, Business and Innovation (RBI). If you have any additional questions or need specific reasonable adjustments, or any other support to assist with your application (such as submitting in a different format), please reach out to us. Let us know what adjustments would help you in the application process. Contact research@uwe.ac.uk if you have any further questions.
In his keynote, Dr Umar outlined a brief history of the University, starting from 1595, and its transformation to its current status where the University has three colleges and 10 Schools with over 30 research centres and groups. He further stated how EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) are embodied in UWE Bristol’s four broad research themes: 1. Digital futures, 2. Health and wellbeing, 3. Creative industries and technologies and 4. Sustainability and climate change resilience.
Dr Umar presented how EDI underpin UWE Bristol’s core values by focusing on inclusive culture, how people are core to its shared success, and how we care deeply about career and personal development. He further gave examples on governance and voice, inclusive teaching and learning, hate incident reporting, EDI polices and guidance, technician commitment, and EDI Champions who demonstrate the University’s commitment to EDI.
Above: Dr Tariq Umar
Dr Umar expressed his views on the challenges around EDI in South East Asia countries’ HEIs and shared his thoughts on potential solutions to address these challenges. He particularly focused on the SEAMEO’s member countries who have different cultures, context, priorities and policies; and how EDI might face different levels of resistance and dimensions.
At the same time, he gave the example of the UK, which has a vibrant society, different cultures and languages, and how different universities tackle the challenges of EDI. He stated that there is a lot to learn from each other’s experiences. He gave the examples of current projects and collaborations where UWE Bristol is collaborating with different partners around the world, including South East Asia. He discussed his current project “Developing inclusive policies and practices for greater accessibility in Higher Education” in collaboration with Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama (UNU) Yogyakarta where he is aiming to develop a road map to reduce access gap and to mainstream inclusive education practice in Indonesian higher education.
The potential solution and a starting point, shared by Dr Umar, to address the issues of EDI in South East Asian countries’ HEIs was to focus on the inclusive leadership and diversity in higher education. He outlined how a cross-cultural research initiative between the UK and South East Asia could be important to foster inclusive leadership and diversity in higher education. He shared the proposed objectives of the potential collaboration, outlined the key areas to focus, discussed the collaboration mechanism, and highlighted the expected outcomes. All 40 government and HEI leaders from 11 South East Asian countries showed a great interest in the proposed idea for research collaboration.
Lastly, Dr Umar had separate meetings with representatives from the South East Asian countries where they discussed potential collaborations, looked into their specific needs and context, and set a timeframe for future follow-up meetings.
Following the event, the SEAMEO RIHED expressed deep appreciation for Dr Umar’s vital contribution via a letter of acknowledgement. Dr Umar’s presentation provided practical, globally informed strategies for embedding inclusive policies and infrastructures in Southeast Asian higher education. His focus on the intersection of disability, gender equity, and accessible environments added critical depth to the discussions. The letter highlights the immediate impact of his contribution, including increased institutional awareness, strengthened regional collaboration, and growing interest in cross-border partnerships focused on inclusive education, policy development, and institutional resilience.
