Jackie Carter
Academic and Activist at University of Manchester, National Teaching Fellow
Education
I’m a disabled academic and activist. I became an academic in my fifties. I identified as being disabled after having cancer in my fifties, then after a neurological illness (Ramsay Hunt Syndrome) during lockdown I was left with deafness, dizziness and cognitive challenges which mean I can no longer teach. As someone who has spent her entire career in education – from secondary school to university level – this is a huge disappointment. I am a National Teaching Fellow and have always strived to inspire a love of learning in my students.
In 2023 I was appointed to the role of Academic Lead EDI Disability at The University of Manchester. A condition of applying for the role was to have lived experience of being disabled. Having struggled with a lifetime of depression and now having physical and cognitive hidden disabilities I realised the role was one in which I could put my energies and experiences into making a difference, and I am determined to do so during my time in this position.
Since starting the role I have worked with the Disabled Staff Network (DSN) at the University and have introduced two initiatives. The first is to start a series of ‘in conversation’ pieces where I ask senior staff (including our Senior Leadership Team) to be in conversation with disabled staff – from our DSN and others who have volunteered to be involved. These open and honest discussions are to enable our senior staff – academics and professional services – to understand what it is like to work at the University of Manchester with a disability.
The aim is to educate and prompt different ways of thinking with those in positions of influence and power who can bring about change. And crucially to share these stories across the university, to systematically uncover the everyday-ness of being disabled.
Alongside this I have commissioned a sector-leading organisation ‘The Work Inclusion Project’ to work with senior stakeholders (to understand their drivers and resources available to them, and the strategies and operational plans they have to deliver on that pertain to Disability) and at the same time to talk to disabled staff about their needs – and develop a Disabled Staff Needs Analysis from which we can produce a workable action plan.
I am currently also working on how we can create a theory of change and measure the impact of these initiatives.
I am a practitioner at heart. I learn by doing. And as I age I become bolder and less patient. (I am active in brain tumour awareness-and-fund-raising due to my own son having a glioblastoma).
Positive change can happen through the right types of intervention (as evidenced through my academic work). I want to develop my profile in the EDI Disability space so that I leave a legacy to the University of Manchester which means that disability-inclusion is designed into our working experiences from the outset, and is not an afterthought. I aim to do this by working in partnership with others across the EDI landscape.
“I’ve not always been disabled. Now that I identify as disabled (by society) I am absolutely determined to ensure that all disabled people are listened to and their needs are met. And anyone who knows me knows how tenacious I am.”
Disability Power 100 2023 profile information has been self-submitted by the profile subject. Shaw Trust understands and respects that disability and impairment descriptors and language use varies from person to person. Shaw Trust assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or discrepancies in the content of this, or any other, profile page.
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