Maisha Islam

Maisha Islam is the Doctoral College Research Culture Lead (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) at the University of Southampton, and is also studying for a professional doctorate in Education. Maisha’s main research interests lie in the area of Black, Asian and minority ethnic student experience, and Muslim student sense of belonging/student voice in Higher Education, where she presents, writes and has published on these topics.

Maisha is heavily invested in the area of race and religious equality in Higher Education. For example, she has investigated ‘Asian’ student experience in relation to degree-awarding gaps and has sat on Universities UK staff panels which developed guidance for universities tackling racial harassment and Islamophobia on campus.

Additionally, Maisha has completed a two-year term serving on the Office for Students’ Student Panel (2020-22) and is co-Chair of a Steering Group for a Research England/Office for Students funded programme seeking to improve access and participation of students in colour in postgraduate research study.