Conference Organising Team
Kyra Areneta
Kyra Araneta (she/her) is a Lecturer in Student Partnership and Social Justice in the Centre for Education (CETI) and Teaching Innovation at the University of Westminster. Prior to her role in the CETI, she completed an MA in International Relations whilst working as the Student Partnership Coordinator on the Pedagogies for Social Justice Project (PSJ). As a continuation of this work in her new appointment, Kyra hosts the PSJ podcast, co-creates with students, and contributes to the field through publications and keynote addresses. Her research foci and interests include critical race and decolonial pedagogies, social justice education, intersectionality, and the role of student-staff partnerships in fostering ethical learning environments. She has been successful in several funding applications including for Quintin Hogg Trust and the Centre for Social Justice Research. She will co-chair the first international Students as Partners Roundtable conference in the UK in 2025. As a mixed woman of African-Asian descent, Kyra dedicates her praxis to challenging contemporary forms of coloniality in academia, centring underrepresented and marginalised voices, and engaging with inclusive educational practices that empower diverse communities.
Jennifer Fraser
Dr Jennifer Fraser (they/them) holds a joint appointment as Principal Lecturer in Sociology and University Director of Student Partnership in the Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation at the University of Westminster. They are an education leader specialising in critical pedagogies, particularly feminist, anti-racist, decolonial and queer pedagogies and teaching methods. Their work builds on a background in narrative and cultural theory and is shaped by a commitment to inclusive practices and social justice. Jennifer leads Westminster’s institution-wide student partnership programme, as well as leading and teaching on interdisciplinary modules and supervising doctoral researchers in the School of Social Sciences. They are a research active, engaged and productive scholar who leads inter-generational, multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research teams. They co-lead the Gender and Sexuality stream of work in the Centre for Social Justice Research at Westminster. Their most recent research on non-binary student and staff experiences in higher education is sector-leading and has appeared in Journal of Gender Studies, feminists@law and is forthcoming in the Bulletin of Applied Transgender Research. They are often invited to keynote national and international conferences related to student partnership and social justice. They are a National Teaching Fellow and a founding member of the Critical Pedagogies Group and the Pedagogies for Social Justice project.
Fatima Maatwk
Dr Fatima Maatwk (she/her) is an early-career researcher and Lecturer in Student Partnership at the Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation (CETI) at the University of Westminster, as well as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Prior to her role at CETI, she was a Lecturer and Researcher at Westminster Business School, where she also completed her doctoral research on diversity and inclusion in the technology industry across Egypt, Germany and the UK. In her current role, Fatima leads on the Students as Co-Creators programme, the Student Partnership Ambassadors programme, and is part of the Pedagogies for Social Justice project (PSJ). She has published in the areas of labour and employment relations, diversity and inclusion in the legal field, gender and work, and student-staff partnership. Her work on fostering student-staff partnership communities is centred on social justice, anti-racism and decolonisation. Her research foci and interests include social psychology, decolonisation, social justice, intersectionality, and cross-cultural research. Fatima is an Egyptian-German Muslim woman. She spent her life between Egypt and Germany and has been living in the UK for the past nine years, where she is continuing her academic path.
Sangya Tyagi
Sangya Tyagi (she/her) is a doctoral researcher at the Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI) and an Administrative Assistant on the Student Partnership Team at the University of Westminster. Her prior experience of conducting multidisciplinary research projects with international student and staff researchers aligns seamlessly with her role in facilitating student-centered programs that emphasize collaboration and co-creation. In her administrative capacity, she works diligently behind the scenes to manage the logistics, communications, and daily operations for the Students as Co-Creators programme. She also oversees the coordination of various other Student Partnership Projects and events, ensuring a commitment to student support.
Maheera Choudhury
Maheera Choudhury is currently pursuing a Master’s in Media Campaigning and Social Change at the University of Westminster. With a background in Sociology and Criminology, she is passionate about social justice and advocating for underrepresented communities. Growing up in a predominantly white town as part of a working-class, Muslim, immigrant family, Maheera has experienced firsthand the challenges of racism and Islamophobia. These experiences have shaped her dedication to creating more inclusive environments, particularly within higher education.
Maheera has also worked as a Youth Mentor and SEND Teaching Assistant, where she developed a deep appreciation for the transformative power of education and the importance of tailored support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. These roles reinforced her commitment to inclusion and breaking down barriers to success.
Her undergraduate dissertation, which explored the experiences of racially minoritised university students, focused on how racism and microaggressions impact their academic and personal goals. This research has further fuelled her passion for fostering an inclusive university environment, where all students feel empowered and supported to succeed.
Maheera is driven by a commitment to creating positive change, ensuring that all students have the opportunities and support they need to thrive.
Khimkala Gurung
I am a first-generation university student in my family, embarking on the exciting journey of pursuing an undergraduate degree in biomedical science. As I navigate this transformative chapter of my life, I am eager to connect with my peers through the university’s collaborative platform, with the goal of sharing innovative ideas and collectively making a meaningful impact.
Growing up in an army family has had a significant influence on my values and habits. The disciplined environment in which I was raised instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and dedication. I often reflect on the unique dynamics of my upbringing, particularly during the times when one of my parents was away for extended deployments. Those periods of absence presented challenges that taught me resilience and independence, while also deepening my appreciation for the small, cherished moments we share as a family.
The sacrifices my family made have deeply influenced me. Each deployment brought emotional farewells and strengthened our bond. These experiences instilled in me gratitude for the stability and love I’ve received. Now, I’m inspired by how much a student can achieve with support from dedicated staff and a like-minded community. Together, we can enhance our university experience and positively impact the world.
Ozge Suvari
I am a doctoral researcher in the School of Architecture + Cities at the University of Westminster. I am interested in how materials, climate, plants and other non-human ecologies affect and co-produce cities in the Global South.
Before my doctoral studies, I was an adjunct lecturer and practising architect in Turkey, where I was committed to designing public spaces and buildings in environmentally responsible ways. I have been a research intern on the “Pedagogies for Social Justice” project since January 2024 and have been learning more about decolonisation in higher education context.
Esra Tahir
Esra Tahir is a Biomedical Science student at the University of Westminster, with a focus on neuroscience and mental health. She is a Research Assistant for the Social Pedagogies for Social Justice (PSJ) Project and serves as the Social Media Manager for the Brain’s Matters Society. Esra has presented her work at the International Higher Education Teaching & Learning Conference, and her current research includes a final year project on stem cell research. She is passionate about decolonisation and social justice.
Yumeng Yang
Yumeng Yang now is a MPhil student in Sociology at the University of Westminster. Yumeng’s research is at the intersections of media studies, gender studies and Chinese studies. She is particularly interested in the study of queer expression on Chinese social media platforms. In 2023, she participated in the Chinese National College Student Entrepreneurship Project. This experience allowed her to collaborate with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, deepening her appreciation for teamwork and the value of multicultural perspectives and student insights in enhancing projects. As a Student Ambassador, she recognizes the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between students, faculty, and the wider community in University of Westminster. Yumeng Yang aims to promote cross-cultural exchange by engaging with students from various nationalities and academic disciplines and advocate for student voices in shaping a more accessible and welcoming academic environment. Meanwhile, she is also keen on developing a deeper intercultural understanding, which complements her academic pursuits in sociology and enhances her personal growth. By serving as a Student Ambassador, she hopes to inspire others to embrace diversity and work collectively towards a more inclusive university experience for all.