1-5 July 2024
2024 Agenda
The INCLUSION Festival agenda is packed with interactive panel discussions, presentations,
workshops and networking sessions on every aspect of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the workplace.
To view the agenda, please select from the days below.
Inclusive Leadership
Today’s key themes:
- Ensuring maximum DEI engagement at a micro, macro and company level
- Inclusive problem solving
- How DEI leaders need to develop as industry evolves
Keynote panel discussion: Setting the strategy for exceptional DEI leadership
- How can leaders effectively embed DEI principles and inclusive values into organizational culture to ensure sustained commitment and action?
- What innovative strategies or approaches can leaders employ to address unconscious bias and foster inclusive decision-making processes within their teams?
- In what ways can leaders proactively engage with marginalized communities to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are addressed in DEI initiatives?
- How do leaders navigate challenges and opposition to DEI efforts within their organizations, and what tactics can they employ to build consensus and drive meaningful change?
Dr Janice Underwood, Governmentwide Chief Diversity Officer, US Government
Keynote presentation: Latest thinking on inclusive leadership
According to a recent Kincannon & Reed survey about the food and agriculture industry, the two most important leadership characteristics are diversity, equity and inclusion (77 per cent) and emotional intelligence (74 per cent).
- Essential traits for inclusive leadership
- Practices for leaders to ensure authenticity
- Remaining inclusive amidst daily work pressures
Full ticketholder content
Case study: Building a company-wide inclusive culture at Walmart
- How Walmart MXCAM embraces inclusion through the company DNA
- DEI Business Impact and actions to amplify the strategy
- Ensuring a fully inclusive journey
Panel Discussion: Working Together: Furthering DEI progress through inclusive problem solving
- Creating spaces for all perspectives to contribute to DEI solutions
- Recognizing the value of diverse insights, even from those perceived as part of the problem
- How can we engage all stakeholders in collaborative problem-solving initiatives?
- How should we best assess the effectiveness of inclusive problem-solving approaches in achieving DEI goals?
Case study: Implementing an effective DEI strategy
- Progress in representation and culture so far, and holding ourselves accountable
- Evolving our global DEI strategy to encompass a broader list of commitments
- Making sure that we are representative of people in every place we operate
- Latest areas of focus and expectations for the future
Is your inclusive strategy involving everyone?
- Comprehensive inclusion: Strategies for ensuring that every voice matters
- Fostering belonging: Creating a culture where everyone thrives
- Leadership’s role: Driving inclusive practices throughout the organization
- Evaluating Impact: Metrics for assessing the reach of inclusive initiatives
Panel Discussion: Communicating the value of DEI to ensure maximum influence
- How can we calculate the financial implications and costs of DEI?
- What are best practices for organisational development and strategic thinking?
- What is the financial relationship between DEI and core business values?
- Productivity and reputation: What are the key DEI factors to communicate?
Networking Session
An excellent opportunity to make new connections with a host of professionals who are passionate about Diversity & Inclusion. Come and network with our fantastic, energised speaker line-up, and meet other professionals who are committed to bringing about real change, sharing their implementation strategies too.
Personal stories - Why DEI matters
Key themes:
- Engaging personal narratives from the front line of work.
- Creating a space for open discussions
- Sharing impactful stories to foster understanding and empathy
Interview: The Paris Paralympics: The world’s greatest showcase for disabled talent
- Discussing the impact of the paralympics in promoting disability awareness and acceptance
- Exploring the role of athlete services in empowering paralympic competitors
- What the workplace can learn from this about empowering disabled colleagues
Dr Janice Underwood, Governmentwide Chief Diversity Officer, US Government
Advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion in professional cricket
- Discussing key initiatives and strategies implemented to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion within the organization
- Sharing insights and experiences on advancing diversity and inclusion in professional sports
- Exploring the importance of leadership and advocacy in driving positive change for marginalized communities
Panel Discussion: Women in leadership: Next steps
- Identity shift: Why developing female leaders is more complex than recruiting more women for senior roles
- Successful women’s leadership programmes
- Second generation gender bias
An Australian perspective: Fostering a diverse workplace and tackling inherent bias and racism
- Identifying the barriers being faced by Indigenous people in Australia in the workplace today
- Understanding the cultural load that indigenous workers have to bear
- How to foster a workplace of inclusion to encourage the almost 50% of Aboriginal people currently unemployed in Australia to enter or re-enter the workforce
Panel Discussion: Supporting racial minorities
According to the Inclusiveness Index published by the Othering and Belonging Institute, University of California, Berkeley, the US performs badly when it comes to racial equality in the workplace: it is rated 118th place.
- Is the US lagging behind when it comes to racial equity in comparison with other countries?
- Examples of microaggressions and whey they are so damaging
- What will it take to create a more level playing field at work for people from all backgrounds, races and cultures around the world?
- In the meantime, what can we do to help?
Panel Discussion: Enabling LGBTQ+ individuals to thrive
- Addressing the gap between increased support from employers and persistent discrimination that individuals may encounter at work?
- How can employee training re.LGBTQ+ and transitioning help to foster genuine a culture of understanding among staff
- What are the best ways to attract, support, advance and retain LGBTQ+ talent?
Addressing fertility issues
- Cultivating a compassionate and supportive work environment for individuals navigating fertility challenges
- Understanding fertility challenges in the workplace and sharing latest best practices about this potentially sensitive area
Promoting fertility awareness and support among employees - Implementing inclusive policies and benefits for fertility-related needs
- Fostering a supportive and compassionate work environment for individuals navigating fertility journeys
Panel Discussion: Menopause update
Our team of experts discuss the importance of approaching menopause support with an intersectional lens, what has been achieved so far and discuss latest thinking on workplace policies.
Wellbeing Workshop
In this session, we’ll be delving into the various aspects of wellbeing, exploring strategies to enhance mental, emotional, and physical health. Join us as we embark on a journey towards greater self-awareness, resilience, and overall wellbeing. Together, we’ll discover practical tools and techniques to cultivate a healthier and happier lifestyle. Prioritise your wellbeing and empower yourself to thrive in all aspects of life.
Networking Session
An excellent opportunity to make new connections with a host of professionals who are passionate about Diversity & Inclusion. Come and network with our fantastic, energised speaker line-up, and meet other professionals who are committed to bringing about real change, sharing their implementation strategies too.
Health, wellbeing and the future of work
Today’s key themes:
- Improving wellbeing in the workplace
- Understanding mental health issues
- Ensuring that all staff receive proper support and anticipating the work landscape of the future.
Panel Discussion: Establishing effective wellbeing measurement and metrics
By law, employees are responsible for their own wellbeing but employers are obliged to support their staff. According to McKinsey, the wellness market is worth more than $1.5 trillion: how can we justify spend on our employees under growing economic pressure?
- Is wellbeing-washing justified?
- Tackling the Sick Note Economy
- How to measure and track workplace wellbeing
Dr Janice Underwood, Governmentwide Chief Diversity Officer, US Government
Full ticketholder content
Have you picked up your ticket yet? Take advantage of our early bird rates – click here.
Presentation: Tackling loneliness at work
- Why wellbeing at work initiatives must prioritise tackling loneliness, both in the office and among remote workers
- Practical advice about how to start talking about loneliness with individuals and groups, how best to support colleagues and useful timeframes
- Best practice examples
- Why remote working can contribute to loneliness
Case Study: Reviewing Deloitte’s latest DEI initiatives
- Insights into organisational progress
- Fostering cutting-edge strategies to foster diversity and equity
- Transforming workplace culture and practices
Should you tell your employees not to work at the weekend?
A third of employees work at the weekend, but is it counter-productive or does it encourage flexibility and trust?
- Assessing the effects of weekend work on employee well-being and productivity
- Exploring the role of weekend work in work-life balance
- Understanding how weekend work practices influence employee trust in leadership
- Exploring strategies to support employees’ needs while balancing weekend work expectations
Panel Discussion: Communicating the value of DEI to ensure maximum influence
- How can we calculate the financial implications and costs of DEI?
- What are best practices for organisational development and strategic thinking?
- What is the financial relationship between DEI and core business values?
- Productivity and reputation: What are the key DEI factors to communicate?
Tackling stress at its core
Latest research from the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre says employers need to tackle the root cause of stress rather than focusing on short-term actions for individual employees such as apps and yoga classes.
- Highlighting the latest research findings from the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre regarding stress management in the workplace
- Emphasizing the importance of addressing the root causes of stress rather than relying solely on short-term solutions like apps and yoga classes
- Discussing the implications of this research for employers in developing comprehensive stress management strategies
- Exploring alternative approaches and interventions that prioritize long-term stress reduction and employee wellbeing
Panel Discussion: Recognition and reward
- Remunerating ERGs and allies and champions on a budget
- Reward strategies
- Including DEI work in performance plans
Case Study: Devising a successful wellness at work programme
- Examining the components and strategies behind a successful workplace wellness program
- Analysing the impact of a wellness at work program on employee wellbeing and productivity
- Discussing best practices and key learnings for organizations looking to implement similar initiatives
Strategies for employee resilience
- Exploring effective methods for building and enhancing employee resilience in the workplace
- Discussing the importance of resilience in navigating challenges and fostering wellbeing among employees
- Sharing practical strategies and initiatives to support and strengthen employee resilience within organisations
Helping staff to prioritise work-life balance
- Tips and techniques for achieving a healthy work-life balance
- Addressing organizational policies and practices to support a good work-life balance
- How to make sure that you have the balance right
Panel Discussion: Tackling burnout
According to LinkedIn, 98% of HR managers feel burnt out. Here we discuss practical ways to tackle issue of exhaustion within DEI professionals – and in the wider workforce:
- How to recognise genuine burnout
- How to measure workplace burnout using systematic surveys
- Keeping track of workloads, checking in with colleagues and setting a culture of work-life balance
- Resource management
Panel Discussion: Towards a four-day work week
How feasible is this fundamental shift in working practices? Our expert will discuss:
- Can a four day week really help us to achieve a better work-life balance, or does it mean less productivity?
- How AI has the potential improve productivity?
- Tackling the negatives: shift patterns, disruption to work
- Will colleagues end up making up the hours to finish their work?
- How likely is a four day week for the mainstream? Could it actually happen, and if so, how and when?
Panel Discussion: Expectations for the future of work with DEI at the centre
- When it comes to the future of work, what will the key trends be?
How will AI, DEI and technology transform the way we live, work and interact? - Will industry increasingly move towards a four-day week?
- Keeping up with the hybrid workforce – how can we unite workers with different working patterns
- How can we best support solo, remote workers?
Networking Session
An excellent opportunity to make new connections with a host of professionals who are passionate about Diversity & Inclusion. Come and network with our fantastic, energised speaker line-up, and meet other professionals who are committed to bringing about real change, sharing their implementation strategies too.
Enabling everyone to progress
Today’s key themes:
- Exploring the benefits of opening the door to a wider pool of demographics
- Working out where your gaps are and how to encourage diversity at all levels
- Ensuring successful in-house career progression for all.
Debunking myths and disrupting inequalities around socio-economic diversity
- Debunking some of the myths around socio-economic diversity
- Discussing the removal of barriers to improve social economic diversity representation at all levels and explore how to create a culture of belonging
- Practical examples and key takeaways to implement change
Protecting employee mental health and wellbeing and enhancing psychological safety at work
- Helping businesses and leaders to develop an in-depth understanding of DEI and belonging
- Developing and enhancing emotional intelligence skills and trauma-informed leadership practices to support DEI and psychological safety in the workplace
- Cultivating a psychologically safe workplace, and employment laws and protections
- Shifting mindsets, addressing limiting beliefs, and achieving long-term DEI success
Dr Janice Underwood, Governmentwide Chief Diversity Officer, US Government
Full ticketholder content
Have you picked up your ticket yet? Take advantage of our early bird rates – click here.
Panel Discussion: Tackling the gender pay gap: How can we make progress?
- Implementing transparent salary policies and pay equity audits
- Advocating for equal opportunities and advancement for all genders
- Promoting education and awareness on the gender pay gap and its implications
Interview: Empowering female leadership: Building strong communities for success
- Highlighting the importance of the people around you to become a good female leader
- Recognizing the role of community in nurturing female leaders and cultivating strong support networks
- Fostering mentorship and sponsorship and leveraging relationships to facilitate leadership growth
- Embracing collaboration: Harnessing the collective strength of diverse perspectives and experiences
- Empowering others: Inspiring and elevating the next generation of female leaders through mentorship and advocacy
Taking an intersectional approach to diversity and inclusion
- Acknowledging the interconnectedness of gender, race, and other dimensions of identity
- Promoting inclusive practices that address the complex experiences of diverse employees
- Recognizing the unique challenges faced by individuals with intersecting marginalized identities
- Fostering an environment that values intersectionality and prioritizes the needs of all colleagues
Panel Discussion: How to increase social mobility and why it doesn’t just stop at the door
- What is social mobility and how does it differ from one country to another?
- Creating a shift in traditional pathways to employment
- How to do contextual recruitment well
- Tackling social demographic pay gaps and fixing the rate of progression
- Why aren’t we making progress more quickly?
Case Study: Advocating employing refugee workers
- How a garment label manufacturer, Trimco, in a small town in Norway has recruited refugees with the help of the government
- Examining the impact of refugee recruitment on both trimco and the local community
- Discussing the significance of such initiatives in promoting diversity and integration
Employing returning citizens
- Discussing strategies to support returning citizens in reentering the workforce
- Highlighting the importance of employer engagement and awareness in hiring returning citizens
- Examining the benefits of inclusive hiring practices for both employers and returning citizens
Case study: Establishing an effective young careers programme
- Nurturing early career talent through a young careers programme
- Highlighting the importance of diversity and outreach in early career initiatives
- Why campus recruiting can be beneficial to help build a diverse talent pipeline
- Examining the impact of early career programs on both individuals and the organisation
Building inclusive teams
Key themes:
- Practical strategies for building inclusive team
- Welcoming and leveraging diverse perspectives to drive success
- Encouraging true diversity of thought
Panel Discussion: Allyship: Why Inclusion means including everyone
- Exploring the significance of allyship in fostering inclusive problem-solving environments
- Discussing effective strategies for addressing pushbacks and navigating challenges from difficult individuals
- Sharing insights and experiences on how allyship can be leveraged to promote collaboration and overcome resistance
- Highlighting the importance of inclusivity in problem-solving processes to ensure diverse perspectives are valued and integrated
Fostering empathy and allyship: Nurturing connections for DEI
- Cultivating understanding: fostering empathy for diverse experiences and perspectives
- Strengthening solidarity: building allyship across different groups and identities
- Promoting active listening: creating spaces for genuine dialogue and support
- Empowering action: encouraging individuals to stand up and advocate for marginalized voices
Addressing ageism in the workplace
- Examining stereotypes and biases towards older workers
- Promoting intergenerational collaboration and highlighting the benefits of diverse age groups working together
- Advocating for inclusive practices: discussing strategies to combat age discrimination and promote equal opportunities
- Fostering age-friendly workplaces: exploring initiatives to support older employees and ensure their engagement and contribution once in work
Panel Discussion: Unlocking the power of multigenerational teams for enhanced productivity
- Examining stereotypes and biases towards older workers
- Promoting intergenerational collaboration and highlighting the benefits of diverse age groups working together
- Advocating for inclusive practices: discussing strategies to combat age discrimination and promote equal opportunities
- Fostering age-friendly workplaces: exploring initiatives to support older employees and ensure their engagement and contribution once in work
Panel Discussion: Employing veteran talent
- The business case for employing those who have formerly served in the forces
- Case study examples of success – what can we learn?
- How to attract and retain veteran talent – top tips for success
Networking Session
An excellent opportunity to make new connections with a host of professionals who are passionate about Diversity & Inclusion. Come and network with our fantastic, energised speaker line-up, and meet other professionals who are committed to bringing about real change, sharing their implementation strategies too.
Accessibility and disability inclusion
Today’s key themes:
- Empowering all members of staff
- Offering additional support to those with disabilities or special needs
- Giving staff the right accessibility tools and training to enable everyone to thrive
Keynote: Why an evidence-led approach to inclusion is more crucial than ever
- Honing in on focus groups – a key way to understand your staff
- Gaining impact and momentum – measuring disability inclusion success
- Data measuring trends: Measuring progress with qualitative data, not just quantitative assessment
Dr Janice Underwood, Governmentwide Chief Diversity Officer, US Government
Keynote Panel Discussion: AI meets DEI: How can we ensure that AI is used responsibly?
Research from the HR technology firm Personio in July 2023 revealed that 78% of HR professionals aged 25 to 34, and 69% of people aged 55 and over, are already using an AI tool at work.
- Why AI will shape the nature of work
- How will it affect DEI?
- Embedding DEI into the design of AI systems
- How can AI boost DEI
Full ticketholder content
Have you picked up your ticket yet? Take advantage of our early bird rates – click here.
Understanding autism at work
- What initiatives can help to raise awareness, reduce stigma and improve the productivity of autistic employees
- What more could be done to prepare autistic people effectively for beginning or returning to a career
- How recruitment practices can be adjusted to meet the needs of autistic applicants
- How employers can identify and support autistic people already in their workforce
- How autistic staff can be encouraged and supported to develop and progress in their career
Panel Discussion: Measuring disability inclusion effectively
- How can disability inclusion gain executive support?
- Methods of tracking inclusive workplace practices
- Qualitative measurement versus quantitative – which works best?
- What are we doing well and what still needs improving?
Navigating the workplace as a disabled person
- Advocating for accessibility and accommodation in the workplace
- Overcoming challenges and stereotypes to pursue career opportunities
- Self advocacy: Navigating interactions and communication to ensure that your needs are met
Leading the way for neurodiversity in the workplace
- Promoting inclusivity: advocating for the value of neurodiversity in organizational culture
- Raising awareness: educating colleagues about the strengths and challenges of neurodiverse individuals
- Implementing accommodations: facilitating adjustments to support the success of neurodiverse employees
- Fostering acceptance: creating an environment where neurodiversity is embraced and celebrated
Panel Discussion: Why accessibility doesn’t hinder inclusion
Tim Cook, CEO of Apple said: “Accessibility is a human right. And with every new technology, we have the opportunity to expand the circle of people who can participate in society.”
- How employees with disabilities can help business thrive
- Tapping in to new markets and differentiating from competitors
- Thinking differently: how designers of accessible products are forced to think outside the box
- Why employees shouldn’t have to disclose their condition and how companies can embrace different thinkers
How to become a strong, disability-inclusive leader
- Why disability inclusion is a business imperative
- How peer-to-peer support matters
- Developing a global strategy to support disabled colleagues
Panel Discussion: Fostering disability-inclusive leadership
- You can’t be what you can’t see: why are there so few disabled role models in the C-suite?
- How can we support and develop future leaders within an organisation?
- What are disabled leaders looking for when they take on a leadership position?
- Best practice with regards to recruiting
Case Study: Successful accessibility initiatives for staff at Sky
- Creating inclusive spaces: Implementing accessibility measures in Sky’s work environment
- “Empowering employees: Providing tools and resources to support staff with diverse needs
- “Fostering awareness: Promoting understanding and respect for accessibility among Sky’s staff
- “Driving continuous improvement: Seeking feedback and iterating on accessibility initiatives to better serve employees
Workshop: Celebrating neurodiversity at work and making meaningful change
Join us to explore the importance of embracing neurodiversity in the workplace and fostering an environment where every individual can thrive.
Rather than merely tolerating differences, we believe in celebrating the unique strengths and perspectives that neurodiverse individuals bring to our teams.
Through insightful discussions and practical strategies, we aim to empower organizations to implement meaningful change, creating inclusive workplaces that honor the diverse talents and contributions of all employees.
Networking Session
An excellent opportunity to make new connections with a host of professionals who are passionate about Diversity & Inclusion. Come and network with our fantastic, energised speaker line-up, and meet other professionals who are committed to bringing about real change, sharing their implementation strategies too.
Moving the needle on DEI
Today’s key themes:
- Implementing effective DEI measurement and metrics
- Fostering inclusive leadership
- Company organisation, diverse teams, and practical strategies for lasting DEI success.
DEI Resistance – and what to do about it
- Exploring why employees and managers may be pushing back against equality in the workplace
- Discussing perceived psychological threats
- Successful strategies and initiatives for overcoming resistance
- Sharing examples and practical case studies
Dr Janice Underwood, Governmentwide Chief Diversity Officer, US Government
Panel Discussion: Navigating the war on talent: retention, reskilling, and digital opportunities
- How can organizations prioritize retention strategies over recruiting efforts amidst the ongoing war on talent?
- What initiatives and investments are necessary to support the reskilling and upskilling of employees to meet evolving digital job demands?
- In what ways can rewards and satisfaction strategies be tailored to address the diverse needs and preferences of today’s workforce?
- How can the digital job market bridge skill shortages in higher-income countries while creating opportunities for younger workers in lower-income countries?
Full ticketholder content
Have you picked up your ticket yet? Take advantage of our early bird rates – click here.
Interview: Leading with kindness: A holistic approach to DEI
- Discussing the importance of adopting a holistic approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
- Highlighting Jacinta Arden’s groundbreaking leadership style centered around kindness and compassion
- Advocating for collective responsibility in advancing DEI efforts beyond the head of DEI role
- Introducing the Kindness Index as a tool for promoting kindness and inclusivity in the workplace and beyond
Case study: Embedding a 360-degree DEI Strategy
- Creating spaces for all perspectives to contribute to DEI solutions
- Recognizing the value of diverse insights, even from those perceived as part of the problem
- How can we engage all stakeholders in collaborative problem-solving initiatives?
- How should we best assess the effectiveness of inclusive problem-solving approaches in achieving DEI goals?
Case study: Implementing an effective DEI strategy
- Starting a DEI journey
- What happens when a DEI team directly reports to the CEO
- Feeding DEI values into products
- Ensuring DEI values are identical – internally and externally
Interview: Creating a workplace that celebrates and embraces differences
- Promoting equity: Ensuring fair treatment and opportunities for all employees
- Cultivating inclusion: Fostering a sense of belonging where every voice is valued and heard
- Advancing belonging: Implementing policies and practices that support the diverse needs of all individuals
Panel Discussion: Empowering middle managers to become DEI leaders themselves
- How can middle managers be empowered to champion inclusion policies within their teams?
- What specific actions can middle managers take to create a more diverse and inclusive culture?
- How can organizations ensure that DEI messages are effectively communicated to middle managers on a consistent basis?
- What support and resources are needed to enable middle managers to successfully drive DEI initiatives within their respective teams?
Case Study: Advancing professional DEI learning and development
- Emphasizing the professionalism of DEI and the growing demand for comprehensive training
- Recognising the importance of business acumen in effectively driving diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
- Advocating for deeper understanding of the commercial aspects of the business to effectively influence decision-making
- Discussing the role of ongoing training and development in equipping professionals with the necessary skills to navigate and impact the business landscape
Panel Discussion: Top tips for DEI on a budget
- How to stretch DEI resources when budgets are tight
- What’s the best way to run effective DEI campaigns if DEI is only a side-of-desk role?
- How to determine and hone in efficiently on areas that will make most impact
- How to set realistic expectations on what can be delivered with the resources you have available
Case Study: Setting a neuro-inclusion strategy
- Overview of BP’s adjusted people processes for neuro-inclusion
- Recommendations for adjustments during recruitment to support neurodiverse candidates
- Leveraging employee resource group (ERG) support to enhance neuro-inclusion efforts
- Results so far
Fireside Chat: Faith inclusion in the workplace
- How can middle managers be empowered to champion inclusion policies within their teams?
- What specific actions can middle managers take to create a more diverse and inclusive culture?
- How can organizations ensure that DEI messages are effectively communicated to middle managers on a consistent basis?
- What support and resources are needed to enable middle managers to successfully drive DEI initiatives within their respective teams?
Panel Discussion: How to set up an effective Employee Resource Group (ERG)
- Key areas to begin implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within organisations
- Exploring the pivotal role of executive leadership support in driving DEI efforts and fostering organizational culture change through ERGs
- Developing effective remuneration and reward strategies for ERG leaders
- How to get the most out of the ERG model in the short, medium and long term
Networking Session
An excellent opportunity to make new connections with a host of professionals who are passionate about Diversity & Inclusion. Come and network with our fantastic, energised speaker line-up, and meet other professionals who are committed to bringing about real change, sharing their implementation strategies too.
