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LSE EmbRace Committee comprises a community of LSE Professional Services and Academic Staff volunteers committed to tackling institutional and systemic racism at LSE.

Across our work we emphasise “no decision about us with us” as we believe that decisions about Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and students should be well informed and take into consideration the views, feedback and recommendation of the community.

We are pleased to have Andrew Young, LSE COO, as the SMC Sponsor for LSE EmbRace. We are delighted to work with the entire LSE community to become an anti-racist university and to champion racial equity and diversity. We aim to ensure LSE truly is an “LSE for Everyone” (LSE 2030).

Committee Members

Tash Dalling

Deputy Department Manager, Department of Health Policy

Co-Chair of EmbRace

Tash leads on the delivery of teaching services, collaborates with departmental stakeholders, ensures successful implementation of plans and policies, manage operations, serve as a liaison between the department and other divisions, and act as a deputy for the Department Manager as needed.

Highlight from time at EmbRace: Making long lasting connections and also creating LSE's first BAME Mentoring Scheme.

Yvonne Olusoga

Project Development Officer, Library

Co-Chair of EmbRace

Yvonne looks after and manages the co-ordination of the Library's programme of development and innovative projects and process reviews, working with team managers and colleagues across the school. She is also one of the School's Cyber Security Champions.

Highlght of time as part of EmbRace:It is comforting to know I have a community of people that I can connect with. Working with others in the community to support BME students and staff at LSE by contributing to expanding the reach and impact of the staff network has been phenomenal and fantastic. I hope to continue focusing on collaboration and partnership with other departments, staff networks and continue to advocate for the changes that are needed to support the BME community at LSE

Dr Akile Ahmet

Head of Inclusive Education, Eden Centre for Educational Enhancement

Paulette Annon

Academic & Pastoral Mentor, Department of Management

Communications Lead

Paulette is the Department of Management’s Academic & Pastoral Mentor, supporting first year UG students on the BSc Management degree. She is co-chair of the Department’s EDI Committee and also co-chairs the school-wide EDI Reps Network.

As a committee member of EmbRace since 2021, she volunteers as one of the Marketing & Communications Officers, jointly responsible for newsletter and social media content. A highlight from her time as part of EmbRace was working with other members of the committee to launch the Black 365 lanyard and applying for funding to support the production of the four-episode podcast Embrace the Journey which examines EmbRace’s history.

Originally from Birmingham, Paulette has no affiliations to her home city’s football teams, but if pressed, she would concede to Aston Villa.

Daniel Beckley

Deputy Security Team Leader, Estates

My name is Daniel Beckley. All my friends call me Big D or Big Man. I am a father, husband, and former heavyweight boxer. For the past 15 years I have proudly worked as a security officer within LSE. In 2010, I founded EMBRACE, which became LSE’s first-ever BAME staff network. With the support of many courageous members, our community has grown rapidly and we continue to represent, celebrate and inspire change for all BAME staff throughout LSE. In 2016, I was part of the founding team that launched LSE Rejoice – a praise and worship group formed to connect colleagues through their strong faith in God. Lastly, for the past few years I have been running a skipping fitness class (called Skip Fit) within the school – to share the joy of movement and encourage students and staff to incorporate regular exercise within their daily routine.

With the help of strong and impactful groups like Embrace – I am confident that the school is on track for an even brighter future. One that is equitable, inclusive, and, courageously forward-thinking!

Highlight of time part of the EmbRace: The launch event for EmbRace back in 2010! The energy in the room was palpable. And I'm glad to say this energy and vigor is still alive and flowing throughout the committee today.

Ani Bhagtiani

Head of Programme Management, International Growth Centre

As Head of Programme Management at the International Growth Centre (IGC), Ani leads on various programme management activities across the IGC’s resident country teams in South Asia, Africa and in Jordan, including setting and implementing strategy, facilitating collaboration across country teams and ensuring good practice. In addition to this, Ani is a member of the LSE EmbRace Committee as well as a Fair Recruitment Adviser for the School.

Highlight of time from EmbRace: I’d say generally working with the EmbRace Committee. Everyone is so capable, warm and really cares about what they are doing. I feel privileged working with such amazing people

Melissa Nicholson

Head of International Compliance, International Growth Centre

Melissa partners with key departments across the school with to monitor, manage, and meet international risk, compliance and governance related requirements related to LSE registered overseas entities and IGC activities in its countries of operation. She also provides strategic support for department colleagues across the school to identify, mitigate and manage risks connected with international activities. She leads on risk and security for the IGC programmes and is also a Safe Contact.

Highlight from time as EmbRace Committee member so far: I’m new but look forward to connecting with everyone and supporting the re-launch of the BAME mentoring scheme.

Paula Beezer

Security Team Leader (CBG), Estates

Jennifer Ho

Executive MSc Programme and Centre Administrator, LSE Cities

Dr Sarah Jasim

Research Fellow, Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC)

Sarah Jasim is a CAPE (Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement) Fellow at the Greater London Authority, working within the Strategy Team of the City Intelligence Unit – where she is developing a knowledge brokerage service to improve how the academic research community in London can work with policymakers, community organisations and the business sector for a better London. She is also a Research Fellow in Social Care within the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at LSE. Through her role she is a member of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North Thames (ARC-NT)’s Research Partnership Team. Sarah is a senior mixed methods research fellow at the Department of Applied Health Research at UCL, with previous experience in complex evaluations in mental health, social care, and health services.

Highlight from time as EmbRace Committee member so far: A warm welcome fom the team!

Sonia Gomes

Librarian, LSE Library

Book Club Organiser and Facilitator

Dr Anouska Nithyanandan

Head of Research Development, Research and Innovation

Anouska has been a committee member of the EmbRace staff network since 2017. She is based in Research and Innovation and helps researchers secure research funding, as well as developing their research skills and career. Anouska's first-hand experience of academia, and her expertise on race equity in research and higher education, informs EmbRace's policy work on delivering impact for our LSE community.