The theme for LGBT History Month and our LGBTQ&A panel event this year is Science & Innovation. Join us to learn from our panellists' experiences of advocating and impacting positive change across a range of scientific disciplines in our interactive Q&A panel.
LGBTQ&A is a bespoke collaboration series created by Lancaster University and the University of Cumbria’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) teams and LGBTQ+ Student and Staff Networks to answer anonymously submitted LGBTQ+ questions in a safe space.
The purpose of these events is to share knowledge and foster a sense of belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in the Higher Education environment. Audience members, both in-person and online, are welcomed to ask questions about the topic of focus, with some submitted prior to the event, and some asked on the day. Our panellists can share their experiences, good practice, and promote critical resources and services to support their communities.
LGBTQ&A is a hybrid event, with an in-person panel and online anonymous attendee format. Staff and students from LGBTQ+ Networks and Forums at each institution are invited to join the panel in-person by attending the live event.
Attendees are invited to ask any questions or share any thoughts in advance that relate to the theme, which updates annually. Asking questions ahead of the event gives the panel an opportunity to prepare full responses and find any appropriate resources or links.
The panel will be composed of three representatives from each institution and a panel moderator with lived/professional experience specific to this theme. Our panellists pledge to provide an inclusive and safe environment in which they recognise their differences as their strengths, seeking and valuing different perspectives and ideas, in an environment that was without prejudice and bias.
We ask all participants to understand and accept panellists are not there to provide “right” answers and all answers provided during this event are opinions derived from personal or professional experience and knowledge.
Each year we invite a variety of panel representatives from Lancaster University, University of Cumbria and other local partnerships or organisations. Read on to find out more about this year's panel.
Some panellists are yet to be announced, so keep an eye on this page for more information.
Kendi is the Dean for Culture and Inclusion at Lancaster University and will be moderating this year's LGBTQ&A. She holds a key leadership role, providing strategic direction for staff working on EDI activities across the University.
“I admire Lancaster’s ambition to be sector leading, which calls for a compassionate, courageous and collaborative approach to addressing systems and structures of inequity.”
“Hi, I’m Ali (they/them). I work at the Lancaster Environment Centre for the UKRI/NERC-funded Inclusive Natural Environment Futures (INEF) project. With a background in science, I am interested in promoting equity, diversity, and accessibility to shape more inclusive futures in science and technology.”
Siven is a physics student and queer rights campaigner at Lancaster University. They have interests in most things, from folk music to weird fiction audio-narratives. You can usually find them being far too busy.
Yanguo is the Dean of the Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership at the University of Cumbria, where he provides strategic leadership for the institute. He is also a Professor of Artificial Intelligence.
Yanguo is passionate about promoting equal educational opportunities for all, with the aim of improving social mobility and quality of life.
Claire is University of Cumbria's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for growth and development. She has responsibility for oversight of the University's growth agenda including ensuring that the university's portfolio responds to and is integrated into regional and national need. Claire's portfolio also includes collaborative provision partnerships (including transnational education), international student recruitment and leading on the University's international college development.
With a degree in Law from the University of Cambridge and a Master's in Development Education and Global Learning from UCL, Claire has an academic interest in Global Learning and sustainability, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and acts as co-chair of the university's Athena Swan initiative. Claire is also on the Board of Carlisle College.
In previous years, we have delivered hybrid panel events with a range of themes. Click the tabs below to find out more and watch the recordings.
LGBTQ&A returned for February 2025, with the theme of Activism and Social Change, as part of ongoing collaboration between the University of Cumbria and Lancaster University.
We were joined by members of Lancaster University, University of Cumbria, Morecambe Bay NHS, Queer By Gum, Dovetail Games, and Queer in Lancaster.
Queer By Gum, represented by Vaz Lockett, is a local queer craft and creativity collective, who deliver weekly, monthly and quarterly events and gatherings with the aim of creating a safe and sociable space for LGBTQ+ people in and around Lancaster.
Lauren Armiland, Portfolio Marketing Manager with Dovetail Games, joined to discuss her various experiences as a gay woman interacting with the NHS and her career.
Jayden Edwards, Director of Queer in Lancaster CIC and developer of lancaster.gay discussed his experience of bringing together queer inclusive spaces across our city, and providing platform to those lesser known events, groups, and businesses who are working to improve queer experiences for their customers.
2025 RecordingIn 2024, we welcomed panellists from Lancaster University, University of Cumbria, Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, and Pears Cumbria School of Medicine to explore the topic of Health and Wellbeing in the context of living in the UK as an LGBTQ+ individual. The panel featured:
Ann-Marie Houghton (she/her) (LU), Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Brian Webster-Henderson (he/him) University of Cumbria Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Benjamin Dalton (he/they) Lancaster University Lecturer in French Studies and Queer Medical Humanities Network Lead
Ali Richards (she/her) University of Cumbria Lecturer Nursing Associate
Angie Illman (they/them) Pears Cumbria School of Medicine (PCSM) Project Manager
Tomi Jackson (he/him) Project Manager at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. Member of the LGBT+ Network & Finance EDI Ambassador
Josh Newsham (he/him) Lancaster University LGBTQ+ Student's Union Officer
LGBTQ&A 2024 Youtube - Full EventIn February 2023 as part of LGBTQ+ history month, the second in the annual collaborative series with Lancaster University was released. You can access the audio recording here, which featured the following panels members:
Ann-Marie Houghton (she/her) (LU), Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI);
Brian Webster-Henderson (he/him) University of Cumbria Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Hannah Rosbrook-Brown (she/they) Lancaster University Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor
Joanne Scott (she/her) University of Cumbria LGBTQ Staff Network EDIW Rep
Victoria Simpson (she/her) Lancaster University LGBTQIA+ Ally Network
Annabelle Robinson (they/them) University of Cumbria Student’s Union Welfare Officer
Josh Newsham (he/him) Lancaster University LGBTQ+ Student's Union Officer
LGBTQ&A 2023 Youtube - AudioIn February 2022, as part of LGBTQ+ History Month, the University of Cumbria collaborated with Lancaster University for “LGBTQ&A”. This collaborative panel discussion answered questions on policy, support, allyship and LGBTQ+ community questions. The panel featured:
Ann-Marie Houghton (she/her) (LU), Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI);
Joanne Scott (she/her) (UoC), LGBTQ Staff Network EDIW Rep;
Terry Abbott (LU), LGBTQ+ Staff Network Lead;
Molly McConnell (she/they) (UoC), Student’s Union Welfare Officer;
Sophie Schulz (he/she/they) (LU), LGBTQ+ Student's Union Officer;
Lee McDermott (he/him) (UoC), Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officer and Staff LGBTQ+ Network Co-chair;
Monet Booker (she/they) (LU), LGBTQIA+ Ally Network Lead.
LGBTQ&A 2022 Full EventIn February 2021, staff and student network members marked LGBTQ+ History Month with a series of videos exploring their personal journeys and experiences. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Webster-Henderson and UCSU Welfare Officer Molly McConnell kicked off the month by introducing both networks, their identities, and how these spaces impact and support them. As part of LGBTQ+ History Month, the University of Cumbria hosted 'A Life Worth Living' in an online collaborative panel discussion.
A life worth living 2021