About this Event
We are delighted to invite you to the official launch of the SAWHE Network — South Asian Women in Higher Education — a grass roots community-led space created to connect, support and celebrate South Asian heritage women across all roles and career stages in the higher education sector. Join the network here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8Gy_HKfUNmdW-HFEh29A3pPOHC8Qe44tdvEoHJGJgx7zn-w/viewform
THEME: Collective Leadership
📅 Friday 5 June 2026
🕙 10:30 AM — 3:00 PM (Lunch and networking included)
📍 Manchester Museum, Kanaris Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL
---
ABOUT THE EVENT
This is a landmark moment. In a year, SAWHE has grown to a community of 250 members across 67 UK institutions — built entirely by and for South Asian women working in higher education. This event is our opportunity to come together, for the first time, in person, hear from extraordinary leaders, and shape the next chapter of SAWHE together.
The event will bring together women and allies from across the sector — researchers, academics, professional services staff, senior leaders, and everything in between — for a morning and afternoon of inspiration, honest conversation, and genuine connection.
---
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
🎤 Keynote Address — Belonging, Power and Systemic Change in Higher Education
Professor Parveen Yaqoob OBE, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), University of Reading.
Professor Yaqoob is one of the UK's leading voices on senior leadership in higher education and brings a rare combination of scientific excellence and institutional influence to this conversation.
💬 Speakers including:
• Professor Shushma Patel — Pro Vice-Chancellor for Artificial Intelligence, De Montfort University
• Kaushika Patel — Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of College, senior academic and EDI leader
• Nusrat Ahmed — Lead Curator, South Asia Gallery, Manchester Museum
• Naheed Nazir — Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Manchester Metropolitan University
And more..
🔬 Interactive Workshops
• Thriving in Systems Not Made For You
• Practical tools and strategies on career advancement
🤝 Lunch, Networking and South Asia Gallery Tours
A dedicated networking lunch and optional guided tours of Manchester Museum's South Asia Gallery — the first permanent gallery in the UK dedicated to the South Asian diaspora.
---
WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR?
This event is open to all South Asian heritage women working or studying in higher education in the UK, across all roles — academic, research, professional services, technical, and leadership. We also warmly welcome allies to support us in this launch, understand South Asian heritage and to champion diverse voices towards collective leadership.
---
REGISTRATION NOTES
Places are limited to 50 attendees. Registration is free.
To ensure your place goes to someone who will attend, please only register if you are genuinely able to come. If your plans change, please cancel your ticket so we can offer your place to someone on the waiting list — you can do this through your Eventbrite account at any time.
We will send a confirmation email with full event details and joining information two weeks before the event, and a reminder one week before.
---
ACCESSIBILITY
Manchester Museum is a fully accessible venue. The Kanaris Theatre is step-free from the main entrance. Accessible toilets are available throughout. A quiet room will be available on the day for those who need a space to step away.
Prayer facilities are available in the museum — please ask a member of the SAWHE team on the day.
If you have any accessibility requirements not covered in the registration form, please contact us at [email protected] and we will do everything we can to accommodate you.
---
CATERING
Lunch is included in your registration. Please complete the dietary requirements section in the registration form when you sign up if there is anything you wish for us to consider.
Water and refreshments will be available throughout the day.
---
SOUTH ASIA GALLERY TOURS
Optional exclusive guided tours of Manchester Museum's South Asia Gallery will take place during arrival, during the lunch break, and towards the end of the event. Tours last approximately 20-30 minutes and are led by museum staff. Please indicate in the registration form if you would like to join a tour so we can manage group sizes.
---
GETTING THERE
Manchester Museum is located on Oxford Road in the heart of Manchester.
• By Metrolink: Oxford Road stop (5-10 min walk)
• By train: Manchester Oxford Road station (10-15 min walk)
• By bus: Routes 41, 42, 43, 111 all stop on Oxford Road
• By car: Pay and display parking on nearby streets; NCP Car parks; disabled parking available adjacent to the museum entrance
---
ABOUT SAWHE
South Asian Women in Higher Education (SAWHE) is a grassroots community-led network launched in May 2025. We now have over 250 members across 67 UK institutions. We run a podcast (SAWHESpeaks), a quarterly newsletter, a blog series (SAWHEVoices), and regular events (Over 17 delivered so far including SAWHE Power Events and SAWHE Researcher series).
Find out more at www.sawhe.org
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
