This was a truly transformative training opportunity for me. My attention was completely held for the full 3+ hours and despite considering myself to be an accomplished giver of lectures and presentations, with 20 years of experience, I was blown away by how much I have learned that I had no idea about. It is a complete paradigm shift for me. Transformational.
THRIVEr feedback
10 September 2025
INKLUDE to THRIVE Programme brings staff together to understand barriers in higher education
King’s has brought together 60 academics and professional services staff to drive career progression, strengthen community, and understand structural barriers in higher education through the INKLUDE to THRIVE Programme.
King’s has successfully concluded this year’s INKLUDE to THRIVE Programme. INKLUDE to THRIVE is part of the broader INKLUDE initiative, which aims to drive institutional change and support shifting action. With participant feedback fed directly into ALLIANCE THRIVE, which is a parallel space created specifically for individuals with leadership roles to become active allies. Across six half-day sessions held at Science Gallery London, participants engaged with themes ranging from strategic development to sector-wide collaboration.
The programme began with a Strategic Development Workshop led by Professor Shelda Debowski, a consultant and international expert in educational leadership and tertiary education development, which encouraged participants to reimagine their identities and career narratives. Participants then took part in a session led by Simon Cain, a consultant and expert in pitching in the higher education sector, to learn the art of pitching ideas and constructing clear narratives. The workshop equipped participants with the practical tools and confidence to command interviews, panels and presentations.
Other sessions explored the balance between wellbeing and productivity, alongside candid discussions on the emotional labour of being visible in higher education, with particular attention to the experiences of underrepresented groups. The discussions were summarised by an artist, with the Impact & Visibility session shown below.
Participants also had a session focused on building and sustaining collaborations and networks, with insights from national and international collaborators who offered perspectives on navigating networks and forging inclusive collaborations. The final session asked participants to reflect on the impact and learnings from the course and share their feedback.
The Programme marked an important step forward, with King’s committed to driving further positive change and feedback described the sense of community the Programme created. Bringing together academics and professional services staff from underrepresented groups highlighted the value of spaces that enable open discussion and peer support.
The best part was the opportunity to share and recognise our own experiences with other colleagues from different departments. Also, the useful information made me think beyond the limits.
THRIVEr feedback
The INKLUDE initiative will host follow-up activities, including lunches and conversations, to maintain momentum. Feedback from participants is also being gathered to help shape the next INKLUDE to THRIVE Programme, which will launch this Autumn.
INKLUDE to THRIVE was developed and run by Mitul Mehta, Giouliana Kadra, Hana Morel and Jasdeep Singh, and kindly hosted by Science Gallery London.