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Ryan Prout (Cardiff University)

29 January 2021

Election address

Reader in Spanish Visual Cultures and Philology, Cardiff University 

Pride, visibility, and community matter. When we march, come rain or shine, I carry UCU's Equality banner.

My commitment to the interests of LGBT+ members is reflected in my record as the current LGBT+ HE representative: I am outspoken in my view that LGBT+ equality is a work in progress, in opposing  all forms of injustice, and in my defence of the interests of all members. 

At every opportunity I make a point of including LGBT+ members in discussion, from pensions to the impact of SARS-CoV-2. We know as members of the LGBT+ community that we must be proactive in putting our interests at the centre.  

I speak strongly in support of international and campaigning issues and believe impact in these areas helps to advance the equality agenda for our members in HE, FE, adult, and prison education. 

Right wing voices argue that the LGBT+ movement has run its course, a view I vehemently oppose. As Chair of the LGBT+ MSC I have underscored the need to maintain the struggle against homo-, bi-, and transphobia whilst recognising the gains made by the LGBT+ movement. This approach was reflected in UCU's 2020 Virtual Pride Event, Mapping LGBT+ Progress and Looking Ahead, which I chaired.

The UCU event marking Trans Awareness Week that I chaired, in November, also reviewed how much more there is to do, legislatively, and socially, before we can begin to talk about genuine equality for all those who make up the diverse LGBT+ community.

In my union work I address the intersectionality we live as members of the LGBT+ community: for example, I introduced the Rollick Report to the agenda of UCU's Equality Committee and, before Covid-19, commemorated Nita Sanghera by speaking to the inequities in health outcomes for the Black community.

Experience and Recognition of Equalities Work

  • Won the 2018 overall award for Enriching Student Life, given by Cardiff University Students' Union, for my work in EDI 
  • Led a successful application from Cardiff University's School of Modern Languages to Athena Swan 
  • Active as an elected member of the TUC's LGBT+ Committee
  • Invited speaker at USDAW LGBT+ Conference
  • Representing LGBT+ members in meetings with REF management
  • Rebuilt UCU's Anti Stress and Bullying Working Group with Janet Farrar

Branch work and campaigning

  • Service as Cardiff University UCU's President, Chair, Equality Officer, and Secretary 
  • Casework in support of members
  • Built and led campaigns against performance management
  • Contributed to campaigns on pensions and four fights

Priorities

  • Achieving meaningful workplace equality, dignity and respect for all LGBT+ people
  • Centring the marginal
  • Opposing attacks on freedom of assembly and protest
  • Resisting demeaning right-wing reduction of LGBT+ people to wedge issues
Last updated: 27 January 2021