This week, I had the pleasure of leading a PGCert Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (PGCLTHE) session on inclusive education, intersectionality, and cultural sensitivity.

I shared insights from my own 30 years of practice in promoting inclusive storytelling across Film, TV, and academia, along approaches to creating inclusive teaching and learning environment. The session brought together lecturers from across disciplines – from Law, AI, and Engineering to Nursing, Creative Industries, and Maritime studies, highlighting how inclusion is relevant across all areas of higher education.

In my view, inclusion is perhaps the most important aspect of education in our time. Access to education is a fundamental human right, yet persistent inequalities remind us that truly inclusive systems are still a work in progress. This aligns closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, which call for equitable and inclusive learning opportunities for all.

It was fantastic to see such high levels of engagement, with participants actively contributing through collaborative tasks, discussion, and reflection. Special thanks to Mandy Lyons for the thoughtful feedback on the session.

During the session, we explored: What it means to be an inclusive educator; Creating inclusive learning environments; Inclusive pedagogies and assessment for learning; The role of intersectionality in understanding student experiences; Practical application of Universal Design for Learning to remove barriers to learning.

A key takeaway: Inclusion must be embedded in everyday teaching practice. Students have multiple, intersecting identities, and their learning is shaped by culture, language, and lived experience.

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