Dr Deborah Husbands, Chartered Psychologist and Reader in Race and Sociocultural Psychology at the University of Westminster, attended the House of Lords to speak about equity as a strategic driver of sustainability at a symposium on reimagining sustainability in higher education (HE).
The symposium took place at the House of Lords on 17 November and brought together academics, politicians and campaigners to explore a variety of ways to reimagine sustainability in HE. Dr Husbands was invited by the event’s organisers Baroness Verma and the University of East London’s Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) to discuss the topic of Equity as a Strategic Driver of Sustainability.
The event featured speakers from across the sector, including a keynote speech from Baroness Verma on why equity and sustainability are inseparable in HE today. This was followed by a panel discussion that considered how universities can embed equity as a core driver of sustainability, such as by integrating equity metrics into performance reviews and all institutional strategies.
Baroness Verma’s keynote speech
Group discussions then took place based on four streams: Equity as a Strategic Driver of Sustainability, Student Success as the Core Measure of Resilience, Leadership and Governance for Sustainable Equity, and Futureproofing Through Innovation and Partnerships. Dr Husbands spoke on the first stream, focusing on strategic equity actions that institutions could implement within the next year that would measurably strengthen financial sustainability, reputation or student recruitment, and how to secure senior executive buy-in to support and champion delivery.
The event’s discussions will be used by the OIE to produce a report capturing highlights across the four streams. This will be followed by a further OIE report on equity in higher education featuring the recommendations of ten vice-chancellors.
Dr Husbands (under the portrait) listening to a speech by event organiser Dr Jummy Okoya
Dr Husbands is widely respected for her expertise in race, identity and inclusive education. At Westminster, she is known for her leadership in equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives as Co-chair of the University's Black and Minority Ethnic Colleague Network and Founder of Black History Year (BHY), a year-round programme that brings the University community together to learn from each other, share stories and confront ongoing EDI issues. She also co-leads on the University’s Vitae Impact Culture & Engagement Award-winning BHY Researchers Network, which supports Black academics reach their full potential.
For students, she spearheaded BHY Create, a six-month, decolonial programme for final year undergraduates and Master’s students that builds confidence, visibility and agency through workshops, insight days, careers support and reflective practice explicitly addressing tokenism, microaggressions and systemic racism.
In recognition of her important work in race equity, inclusive leadership and psychological wellbeing in higher education, Dr Husbands has been shortlisted in the Leadership category at the 2025 PRECIOUS Awards, which celebrate the achievements of women of colour in business and leadership across the UK.
Dr Husbands said: “It was a privilege to be invited to contribute to such a topical discussion at this prestigious event that included senior leaders and think tanks from across the higher education sector. I was pleased to see the shift from 'equality' to 'equity' as the driver for more meaningful forms of inclusion for colleagues and students, and I am confident that the University of Westminster, with its inclusive strategies, policies and practices, is already well-positioned to become a sector-leading institution in this area.”
Equity is recognised as a core component of a sustainable society and is emphasised in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities and 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Dr Husbands’ work directly contributes to these goals which have been used by Westminster since 2019 to frame strategic decisions and help students and colleagues contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about Psychology courses at the University of Westminster.
Find out about equality, diversity and inclusion at the University of Westminster.
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