The Aziz Foundation and The University of Manchester to c0-Host Muslim Friendly Universities (MFU) Conference II

Building the success of the inaugural Muslim Friendly Universities (MFU) conference, the Aziz Foundation and the University of Manchester are jointly hosting the programme's second conference, Researching Inclusion and Equity with Muslim Communities.

We shall bring together the MFU project teams to reflect on learnings and the challenges encountered in researching equity and inclusion, as it impacts Muslim communities in a higher education context.

Furthermore, we shall be exploring best practice in conducting and designing research projects that focus on equity and centre communities of faith. We shall consider the findings and impact of our three co-funded projects (see below), now they have completed, taking into account the opportunities, risks and challenges in undertaking this type of research.

• De Montfort University: How British Muslim, first-year students experience their Muslimness in HE spaces - Dr Lamia Nemouchi, Sumeya Loonat, Professor Richard Hall, Dr Lucy Ansley
• Loughborough University: Lived experiences and improved futures for Muslim students and staff - Rafia Arshad, Ellie Moore and Professor Line Nyhagen
• University of Bradford: Countering Islamophobia on Campus - Dr Izram Chaudry and Dr Yunis Alam

The key themes explored will include:

• Theme 1: Insider and Outsider Research - exploring the importance of positionality and reflexivity in researching Muslim communities
• Theme 2: Co-produced research - participatory and co-created approaches to the research process and its benefits for project design and methodology
• Theme 3: The limits of Institutional leadership and accountability - formulating impactful research, getting buy-in from senior leadership, allyship and building trust with marginalised communities
• Theme 4: Risk and Barriers - the challenges and precarity facing researchers documenting sensitive issues around Muslim lived experiences

In addition, speakers will include:

• KEYNOTE: Dr Sadia Habib, Senior Lecturer in Education, The University of Manchester 
• Prof. Nalin Thakkar, VP for Social Responsibility, The University of Manchester 
• Joe Dobson, Director, The Aziz Foundation

The above will be of particular interest to EDI practitioners and education researchers, early year researchers/ doctoral students, and policymakers with a focus on race equality.

📅Date: Monday 11th May 2026
⏰Time: 11:30-17:15hrs
📍Location: The University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility, Dalton Room, Grafton Street, Manchester, M13 9WU
Ticket Shop: RSVP here