Let's Talk Disability in conversation with Professor Duncan Ivison and Professor Jackie Carter
Download MP3With Professor Duncan Ivison, Professor Jackie Carter & Host Dr Hamied Haroon
In this powerful and thought‑provoking episode of Let’s Talk Disability, host Dr Hamied Haroon brings together two influential figures at the University of Manchester for an honest, moving and forward‑looking conversation about disability, leadership, and cultural change.
Professor Jackie Carter, Academic Lead for EDI Disability and a long‑standing advocate for disability inclusion, speaks candidly about her lived experience of becoming disabled through illness, her journey as a cancer survivor, and her commitment to driving change across the institution. Her reflections on hidden disabilities, the social model, and the everyday challenges of navigating academia offer a deeply personal and insightful perspective.
Joining her is the University’s new President and Vice‑Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison, who shares his motivations, values, and early impressions of leading one of the UK’s largest universities. Duncan’s openness, curiosity, and willingness to listen create a refreshing and dynamic conversation about what it truly means to build a disability‑inclusive university. Together, the three discuss everything from physical access and data, to leadership development, culture change, learning organisations, and the role of visible disabled leaders.
The episode explores big questions with honesty and hope:
- What would a genuinely disability‑confident university look like?
- How do we embed intersectional EDI into everyday practice rather than one‑off initiatives?
- How can senior leadership champion inclusion in a way that is authentic, sustainable and felt across the community?
- And what does it take to ensure every colleague is welcomed through the “same door”, with equal opportunity to flourish?
As always, the conversation ends with powerful commitments — each guest pledges one meaningful action they will take forward, ensuring this series moves from words to real change.
Bold, heartfelt and full of insight, this episode is essential listening for anyone passionate about disability inclusion, leadership, and shaping the future culture of our university.
Send us your questions or comments to equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk with the subject 'LTD' or connect with Jackie on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackiecarter
Send us your questions or comments to equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk with the subject 'LTD' or connect with Jackie on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackiecarter
Listen, learn, and help drive real change—because disability inclusion benefits everyone.
Creators and Guests
Host
Dr Hamied Haroon
Co-Chair of the National Association of Staff Networks and Research Associate at The University of Manchester
Guest
Professor Duncan Ivison
President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Manchester and Professor of Political Philosophy.
Guest
Professor Jackie Carter
Academic EDI Lead for Disability, member of the Shaw Trust Power 100 for 2023. Author of Work Placements, Internships & Applied Social Research. Prof of Statistical Literacy. FaCSS, NTF. 1-in-20 Women in Data. Late Bloomer. @GM4Women
