Group photograph of ten event participants standing and kneeling in front of a South Asian Women in Higher Education banner, wearing conference badges and traditional and contemporary clothing.

Dr. Jahanara Miah and Dr. Binish Khatoon: From Vision to Community – Reflecting on the Launch of the South Asian Women in Higher Education (SAWHE) Network

by EDI Blog | 3 Jul 2026 | Uncategorised | 0 comments

There are moments in professional life when certain experiences feel more meaningful and memorable than the usual routine of conferences and networking events. The launch event of the South Asian Women in Higher Education (SAWHE) Network at Manchester Museum on 5^th June 2026 was one of those moments. Funded by five teams at UK Universities, including the University of Manchester Social responsibility teams, Manchester metropolitan University, University of Kent, Liverpool John Moores University EDI teams and Global Mental Health and Psychiatry centre, it marked the public launch of an idea that had developed over many months through shared lived experiences, collective effort, determination, and conversations over a cup of chai (tea). It was a privilege to co-host the day, and we write this reflection to capture something we do not want to lose: the feeling of being in that room.

Why SAWHE? Why Now?

The answer to both questions lies in a familiar reality. South Asian women remain underrepresented across UK academia, in senior roles, in research leadership, in the spaces where institutional decisions are made. The barriers are structural, cultural, relational, and deeply personal: the weight of traditional expectations, the absence of visible role models, and the quiet exhaustion of navigating environments not designed with us in mind.

SAWHE was established in May 2025 precisely to address this. Founded by Dr. Sayema Rahman Khan of the University of Manchester, it provides a safe and inclusive space for connection, support and celebration. In just over a year, the network has grown to over 300 members across more than 75 UK institutions, hosted 26 events, and built a community spanning academic staff, students, researchers, and allied professionals. This launch event marked a different milestone: the moment the network stepped fully into public view and declared, we are here, and we are just getting started. The theme of the day was ‘Collective Leadership’ inspired by the collective leadership that SAWHE is built on by the efforts of the SAWHE Inner circle leaders (pictured), passionate volunteers from across the UK Higher Education sector shaping the future of SAWHE and serving the community.

Group photograph of ten event participants standing and kneeling in front of a South Asian Women in Higher Education banner, wearing conference badges and traditional and contemporary clothing.

From back left-hand side to front left-hand side: Inner circle leads from Universities across the UK- Zaineb Al-Sadiq and Dr. Jahanara Miah, Dr. Sayema Rahman-Khan, Dr. Binish Khatoon, Dr. Sana Malik, Dr. Rumy Begum, Joshi Prabu, Sangita Pokhrel, Rashmi Danwaththa Liyanage and Rozena Nadeem. Missing from capture are Dr. Sukvinder Bhamra and Sumaiya Motra.

Creating a Sense of Belonging and aspiration for Collective Leadership

What stayed with us most was not the formal programme but the atmosphere it created. Sayema’s opening address was emotional and deeply inspiring: the kind of speech that reminds you why this work matters beyond any institutional metric or impact frameworks. That sense of humanity carried through the day. Despite the calibre of the speakers and the significance of the occasion, the room felt marked by a rare ease, the kind that comes when you are surrounded by people who understand your experience without explanation. The sense of sisterhood was, quite simply, profound.

The event created space for meaningful allyship and was supported by senior leaders in the sector. Nazir Afzal OBE (Chancellor, University of Manchester) and Professor Parveen Yaqoob OBE (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Reading) both took time out of their demanding schedules to speak and to stand in solidarity with the network’s mission. Their presence underscored an important point: SAWHE is not operating at the margins of UK academic and civic life, but firmly within its centre. The panel session chaired by Dr. Rumy Begum (University of Westminster) on ‘Collective change in Leadership’ opened the space for conversations on how we can enable diverse leadership with senior leaders and change makers on the panel, Prof Shushma Patel, (Pro-Vice Chancellor, De Monfort University), Kaushika Patel (Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Westminster), Nusrat Ahmed (Lead Curator of the South Asia Gallery at the Manchester museum) and Naheed Nazir (Director of EDI, Manchester Metropolitan University).

One moment stood out with particular clarity. Nalin Thakkar (Vice Dean for Social Responsibility, University of Manchester) reminded us that when we look for leaders, we should also look to the women at home, those who have held families together across continents, sustained communities across generations, and invested in futures they might never personally see. Their contributions are often framed as duty rather than recognised as leadership. This perspective resonates strongly within academia, where we speak increasingly about distributed leadership, decolonising knowledge, and whose expertise is valued.

Audience members seated in a conference room applauding during a South Asian Women in Higher Education event. Attendees are arranged in rows facing the front of the room, with large windows allowing natural light into the space.

Wide view of a conference room during a presentation. An attendee stands at a lectern addressing a seated audience, with a presentation slide and event banner visible at the front of the room.

The audience reflected the breadth of the SAWHE community, with over 100 staff, students, supporters and allies from across disciplines and from over 25 UK universities represented in the room. Feedback highlighted both the atmosphere and impact of the event with 91% said the launch made them feel comfortable and part of a community and notably, 84% reported making new connections on the day. Attendees described the event as “very inspiring,” with reflections that captured its significance, with many describing this event as ‘ Finding my sisterhood’. As part of the collective leadership theme, we received some very delightful poem submissions from South Asian heritage women from across UK universities, read them in the programme booklet HERE.

Large group photograph of event attendees gathered at the front of a conference room. Participants are standing together and waving towards the camera beneath a projected screen.

SAWHE launch event, Friday 5^th June 2026 at Manchester Museum

What Comes Next?

SAWHE has already built momentum that many networks take years to establish. The network’s goals are clear: CONNECT, SUPPORT and CELBRATE South Asian women. For this, we are looking to grow our membership and also collaborate with partners committed to advancing equity in higher education. The network will be shaped by community needs, with several more events, sessions and networking opportunities planned for this year and beyond. Membership is free and open to all South Asian women in UK higher education, as well as to allies and collaborators. To join or find out more, visit sawhe.org.

You can also follow SAWHE on Linkedin HERE to not miss any of our exciting updates.