Professor Jackie Carter
Nominee Profile
Location: Manchester
I describe myself as deaf, dizzy and disabled. And as a disability activist and atypical academic.
Why do I care about Disability inclusion? It's simple. I have seen and experienced too much ableism and this needs to be addressed. My role as EDI Disability lead at the University of Manchester since 2023 has seen me awarded a Shaw Trust 100 accolade (top 10 in education) and an award from Culture Shift for exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing disability inclusion within higher education.
I have experienced depression throughout my life, had breast cancer in my fifties, and acquired deafness and balance issues (hence the "dizzy" in my description) as a result of a rare neurological condition during lockdown (nothing to do with COVID). I now need a support worker to help me do my job and cannot travel alone. Moreover my son has an incurable glioblastoma (brain tumour) and so I live in the knowledge of his life limiting condition.
My efforts to raise awareness of Disability inclusion have been noticed. I created a podcast called Let's Talk Disability in 2023. In this I host two guests per episode – one senior leader and one staff member or postgraduate researcher who self-describes as D/deaf, disabled, or has a chronic condition, or a carer of someone who is/has the same. The conversations allow guests to share their perspectives while committing to ‘just one thing’ they will take away and act on. This simple but powerful format has significantly shifted the conversation and actions around Disability inclusion at the University, elevating it into previously untapped areas, and helping change the culture.
My efforts have been recognised at the highest levels, influencing the University’s Manchester 2035 strategy and reinforcing the Vice-Chancellor’s vision of being ‘Inclusive by Design’. My contributions have ensured that Disabled staff and students are not only heard but actively involved in shaping a more inclusive academic community.
Why do I care about Disability inclusion? It's simple. I have seen and experienced too much ableism and this needs to be addressed. My role as EDI Disability lead at the University of Manchester since 2023 has seen me awarded a Shaw Trust 100 accolade (top 10 in education) and an award from Culture Shift for exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing disability inclusion within higher education.
I have experienced depression throughout my life, had breast cancer in my fifties, and acquired deafness and balance issues (hence the "dizzy" in my description) as a result of a rare neurological condition during lockdown (nothing to do with COVID). I now need a support worker to help me do my job and cannot travel alone. Moreover my son has an incurable glioblastoma (brain tumour) and so I live in the knowledge of his life limiting condition.
My efforts to raise awareness of Disability inclusion have been noticed. I created a podcast called Let's Talk Disability in 2023. In this I host two guests per episode – one senior leader and one staff member or postgraduate researcher who self-describes as D/deaf, disabled, or has a chronic condition, or a carer of someone who is/has the same. The conversations allow guests to share their perspectives while committing to ‘just one thing’ they will take away and act on. This simple but powerful format has significantly shifted the conversation and actions around Disability inclusion at the University, elevating it into previously untapped areas, and helping change the culture.
My efforts have been recognised at the highest levels, influencing the University’s Manchester 2035 strategy and reinforcing the Vice-Chancellor’s vision of being ‘Inclusive by Design’. My contributions have ensured that Disabled staff and students are not only heard but actively involved in shaping a more inclusive academic community.