Educators rise up for equality at EIS Social Justice and Solidarity Conference 2025

Across the UK and beyond, far right narratives are becoming increasingly visible in mainstream society, with looming potential rollbacks on progress made, serving as harsh reminders that our hard-won rights can again be lost.

Educators are everyday witnesses to the impact of the influence of misinformation and disinformation, scapegoating minoritised communities for the failures of government in the context of a cost-of-living crisis, and unmet additional support needs.

The 2023 EIS Branch Survey on Violence and Aggression saw almost 40% of branches reporting an increase in prejudice-based violence, and over half responding that women teachers were more likely to be experiencing violent and aggressive behaviour in schools, than their male counterparts.

At this time, it is crucial that we join together in solidarity, and organise, in the pursuit of equality and social justice. ‘Still We Rise’ is a two-day conference where we explore how educators and trade unionists can rise up to create a more fair and equal world for all.

Building on a legacy of resilience

The name of the conference is borrowed from Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise”. The poem sheds light on unjust and discriminatory treatment – in the context of racial discrimination in the Unites States, responding with a defiant message of resilience, survival and liberation that has provided strength and inspiration to activists worldwide since its original publication, in 1978.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Excerpt from Maya Angelou, “Still I Rise”

The first day of the conference involves equality related leadership learning for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic members, disabled members, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members, and members under 30 years old, whilst the evening dinner, and second day engages all members in the equality agenda.

The aim of the first day, is to empower EIS members who belong to groups that are underrepresented in the Union and in Education, including invited guests, providing an intersectional, supportive, peer-learning space.

The aim of Saturday is to encourage wider engagement with the Equality agenda and to upskill EIS members on different equality areas, bringing in an international perspective from invited guests. The second day of workshops will be facilitated by participants of Our Voices in Union (OViU), the EIS’s equality related leadership course. We asked two OViU participants to share their experiences so far, and their plans for the Conference.

LGBT Inclusive Education – Kelsey Ann Caldow

Over the last year I have been a part of the Our Voices in Union programme. As a trans, non-binary teacher, it felt important to engage with a programme of representation, having the opportunity to share my experiences and learn from the experiences of others from diverse backgrounds, as part of an intersectional approach.

I feel that being a part of Our Voices in Union has supported me to feel more confident in my identity within my profession and I have had the opportunity to develop my understanding of trade unionism and activism as an educator.

I will be one of the workshop facilitators for the LGBT+ Equality workshop which will have a focussed lens on gender diverse identities, such as transgender, non-binary or genderfluid. The rise of the far-right has had a significant impact on the transgender community, spreading misinformation and fear, causing instances of hostility that permeates across all sectors, including healthcare and education.

For Scotland, a country which historically has been progressive in relation to LGBT+ rights, this anti-trans rhetoric presents a challenge to its commitment to fostering equality and creating supportive and affirming spaces for all.

In the workshop, we welcome educators from Early Years to Further Education, recognising that everyone will engage with LGBT+ learners and LGBT+ family members at some point throughout their teaching career. We aim to create a space for open and supportive dialogue. We hope to provide opportunities for peer-learning as well as signposting to relevant resources to ensure the best outcomes and practice for gender diverse learners.

As both educators and trade unionists, we hold the power to create a fairer and more equal world and this year’s “Still We Rise” equality and social justice conference aims to develop confidence and empowerment to embed social justice and equality into our practice.

Anti-Racist Education – Sunita Nayyer

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the EIS’s Our Voices in Union course. The course has allowed me to develop my leadership skills and become a more active member of our EIS union. It has inspired me to become a leader of change when looking at equality issues and to make a difference, to ensure there is equality, diversity, and inclusion for all. I have also really valued being able to network with others and learn more about the vital work that the EIS does to promote equality and social justice.

As part of Our Voices in Union course, I have had the opportunity to be involved in helping to plan and shape the conference on social justice and solidarity, “Still We Rise.” I will also be leading a workshop on anti-racism as part of the conference.

The workshop seeks to deepen participants’ understanding of what is meant by anti-racist education and its importance. It will also explore how anti-racist strategies might be embedded across educational settings for both learners and teaching staff. In addition, we will examine and discuss the impact of racial related trauma. The workshop will also include input from an international speaker and sign-post participants to relevant anti-racism resources.

Education and teachers play an incredibly important role and are uniquely placed in helping to combat racism and racist attitudes, bringing anti-racist education to life. Understanding racism, its impact and embedding anti-racist strategies in education should be everyone’s priority.

All education staff need to feel supported, equipped, and empowered to deliver anti-racist education, recognising its importance and allowing educators to develop their own racial literacy.

Still We Rise is open for registration. Please reserve your place early to avoid disappointment.