“It’s rare in teaching to get the time and opportunity to speak to other teachers and collectively reflect upon the challenges of the job. For teachers with protected characteristics, some of these challenges can be even more pronounced and speaking to other staff who experience the same barriers is an incredibly empowering and comforting thing to do.”
Craig Duffy, EIS Edinburgh and OVIU Weekend School participant.
Our Voices in Union is the EIS’s bespoke leadership learning program with the aim to foster intersectional solidarity across groups and build the leadership capacity of members who are underrepresented within education.
In 2025, the first programme cohort co-hosted a Social Justice and Solidarity Conference ‘Still We Rise’, which explored how educators and trade unionists can join together to create a fairer and more equal world for all.
This year, as part of growing the Our Voices in Union Equality Leadership (OVIU) programme, the EIS hosted a dedicated residential weekend school, focused on equality leadership. The weekend brought together new and emerging activists from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME), disabled, neurodivergent, LGBT and under-30 (U30) member groups — and was aimed, in particular, at members with less experience of union activity.
Leadership and Solidarity through an Equality Lens
Friday opened with a half-day led by campaigner and trainer Talat Yaqoob, exploring sessions on leadership, intersectionality, power and privilege. Participants then enjoyed an ‘in-conversation’ style session with Sunita Nayyer, former OVIU participant and now a Council and EIS Equality Committee member.
Sunita shared her journey into activism, involvement with the OVIU Programme and where she is now as an active, engaged and visible EIS activist both at local and national level.
“I got involved in Our Voices in Union Weekend School, as I believe in building collective power and creating a space for members to find their voice. Through my work with the EIS, I’ve seen how important it is to create supportive spaces where new activists can step into leadership.”
Sunita Nayyer, OVIU Alumni 2025 and EIS South Lanarkshire
The evening continued with a buffet dinner and social quiz, giving participants space to connect informally and build relationships.
Strategy, Campaigning and Activism
Saturday was a full day of engagement and workshops. The morning kicked off with a session from EIS National Officer (Equality), Selma Augestad, examining the rise of the far-right, the impact of prejudicial disinformation and strategic counter narratives.
Carmen Sullivan, former OVIU participant and now a staff member of the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) Campaign, then led an interactive session on the TIE Campaign’s new Digital Discourse Initiative, exploring how educators can navigate and develop strategies to counter the effects of online hate on young people.
In the afternoon, Eireann McAuley, EIS Equality Learning and Development Co-ordinator, delivered a practical session on campaigning, influencing and motion writing and delivery. Participants were then set the challenge of working in small groups, supported by an OVIU 2025 Alumni, to draft equality-focused mock motions and prepare individual speeches to deliver on the Sunday in an AGM style format.
Saturday evening included pre-dinner entertainment from Ankna Arockiam, followed by a post-dinner performance from the SoundSational Community Choir — reinforcing the collective spirit that ran throughout the weekend.
Learning into Action
On Sunday, it was time to put the learning into practice. Each group formally presented their mock motion and supporting speeches to the whole group and friendly panel, comprising of seasoned EIS equality activists Professor Khadija Mohammed, Julie Ferguson and Gerard Wilkie.
The panel provided constructive feedback, advice and guidance. Participants also benefited from hearing about the panel’s own experiences of union conferences and equality activism, helping to demystify democratic structures and reinforce clear pathways into greater involvement.
“The EIS leadership weekend school is a brilliant idea. The emerging activists were taught about how AGMs and motions work, and they flew with that knowledge. As a panel member, I heard people speaking passionately and knowledgeably about issues that affect all of us. I found the energy, enthusiasm, and self-confidence of our activists to be inspiring and thought provoking. I wish the school had been running when I started out!”
Julie Ferguson, EIS Orkney and EIS Disabled Network Member
The standards and quality of the OVIU weekend school participants’ motions and speeches were excellent – a reflection of the development that had taken place over the weekend and the shared solidarity and support of the group, scaffolding each other’s learning and building confidence to speak in support of matters they care about, in a safe, friendly and positive space.
A key strength of the weekend was the involvement of previous OVIU participants as tutors. Returning activists supported group work and mentoring new participants to the OVIU programme, strengthening their own leadership and facilitation skills while supporting the progression and engagement of others within the union.
“Being a tutor and facilitator was inspiring. Seeing members grow in confidence, challenging themselves, speaking up and supporting each other, was a real reminder of solidarity in action. To strengthen involvement in the EIS, we need to keep encouraging and opening doors, so that all members can see themselves as leaders.”
Sunita Nayyer, South Lanarkshire and OViU Alumni 2025 and Weekend School Tutor 2026
The weekend welcomed a significant number of new and emerging activists, highlighting increased confidence, stronger networks and a clearer understanding of how to get involved in the equality agenda.
“I applied to the weekend school as I wanted a chance to learn and engage more with EIS Equality Work, equality networks, and a space to connect with other activists and members belonging to equality groups. I came away from the weekend feeling more knowledgeable, empowered, motivated and having made connections with other activists which will be with me throughout my career.”
Craig Duffy, Edinburgh and OVIU Weekend School Participant
We are excited to see the new OVIU activists take their next step forward within the EIS and/or in leadership capacities across education and the wider movement.