About Diversity and Inclusion at LJMU

Our role

• To work proactively within the University community to embed equality, diversity and inclusivity practices
• To provide both planned and bespoke equality, diversity and inclusivity advice 
• Be responsible for the robust infrastructure of diversity networks which exist across the University 
• To liaise with Liverpool John Moores Students Union (JMSU)
• Organise a series of events, workshops, and conferences to ensure a culture that embraces diversity is embedded throughout the university

Question about Diversity and Inclusion at LJMU? Email the team: equality@ljmu.ac.uk

The Team

Associate Director - Diversity and Inclusion

Moni Akinsanya is the LJMU’s Associate Director of Diversity and Inclusion who was instrumental to setting up the Reciprocal Mentoring Programme, Positive Action Programme and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Black, Asian, and Minority Staff Leadership Development Programme. Moni provides expertise on all equality, diversity and inclusivity matters across LJMU and to external Organisations. Using her knowledge, insight and skills, Moni has worked as a consultant with other organisations advising on equality, diversity and inclusivity matters such as setting up Reciprocal Mentoring and the Positive Action Programmes. She has served as a trustee of several boards in the community, making immense contributions and working in partnership with key community representatives. Moni has developed many project initiatives with community groups, organised various women’s programmes during lockdown to empower particularly women of colour and faith, some of which attracted over 200 women from different parts of the world.

Moni is actively involved in various local and national networks such as the Higher Education Race Action Group, the Higher Education Equal Opportunities Network, and serves as a judge on the Athena Swan panel. Moni is the treasurer of DCLMUK, a UK-registered charity organisation with an annual turnover of over 2million pounds.

Pronouns: She/Her

Email: M.M.Akinsanya@ljmu.ac.uk

Diversity and Inclusion Manager

As Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Phil Bakstad works with the team to deliver the University’s Diversity and Inclusion strategy as part of the People Plan 2030. He has more than 20 years experience working in higher education in a range of areas including Widening Participation, Student Support and D&I.

Prior to undertaking his new role as Diversity and Inclusion Manager, he was Associate Dean: Diversity and Inclusion for LJMU’s Professional Services alongside a substantive post as Student Inclusion Lead. In this role he led on support for students from a diverse range of communities, including care experienced and estranged students, Young Adult Carers, and other cohorts as identified in the University’s Access and Participation Plan.

Phil was previously Chair of the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) National Strategy Group for five years and has a national profile on matters relating to access and success for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.  He is currently working towards Senior Fellowship of Advance HE.

Pronouns: He/Him

Email: P.Bakstad@ljmu.ac.uk

Diversity and Inclusion coordinator

Beatrice Png Jiaxing (Ji-a – Xin-g) is a History of Art and Museum Studies graduate (BA) of Liverpool John Moores University. During her degree journey, she worked with the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences on a Curriculum Enhancement Internship, where she focused on creating accessible EDI infographics and visuals that communicates LJMU’s Student Code of Behaviour and Student Disciplinary Procedures. She joined the Liverpool East and South-East Asian Network (LESEAN) in 2021 and worked closely with her community to create more spaces and representation for people with ESEA heritage in Liverpool. Prior to her degree, she worked in Design and Advertising Agencies for 7 years in Singapore; specialising in the communication of visual ideas through Adobe software. Beatrice joined the Equality Team in November 2022 and still practices as a Designer.

Pronouns: She/Her

Email: B.J.Png@ljmu.ac.uk

Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Helen Cooper is Diversity and Inclusion Officer, contributing to the work of the team with specific focus on the Race Equality Charter and the provisions for staff members with a disability. Although she started this role in November 2024, Helen is familiar with LJMU as she completed her BA English here in 2011.

Helen’s belief in the transformational power of education led her to a career in teaching, and later, Widening Participation, and she has worked in Higher Education for over 10 years. Working with under-represented groups, and working on Access and Participation Plans has provided Helen with a great understanding of Diversity and Inclusion both in terms of legislation, but also more importantly, in lived experience.

Helen completed her MRes in Gender Studies, where her research area was interrogating the intersections of class, gender, and ethnicity, with specific reference to the progression to Higher Education for White, Working-Class Boys in the contemporary political landscape. She is therefore very interested in the impact of intersecting identities and research-informed practice.

Want to stay in touch?

If you are external to LJMU and would like to stay in touch with LJMU's Diversity and Inclusion Team and receive invitations to equality events and training opportunities, please "Opt-in" to the Diversity and Inclusion mailing list, by sending the following details to: equality@ljmu.ac.uk

• Your full name
• Email address
• Organisation
• Agreement statement: "Yes, I would like to stay in touch."

Please note
LJMU's Diversity and Inclusion Team will not share the information you provide with any third parties.