My Story 

SJ Empowerment is led by Dr Suhraiya Jivraj, eductor, trainer, coach and mentor and passionate in her commitment to social justice. 

 

I am a Reader in Law and Social Justice at the University of Kent Law School and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Authority (SFHEA) and have been a Co-Director of Research. I am also founder and Co-Director of the Centre for Sexuality, Race & Gender Justice (SeRGJ) and the Decolonizing Sexualities Network (DSN)

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I have extensive experience teaching in higher education (HE) and have acted as Deputy Director of Education at Kent Law School. In 2019 I was awarded the prize for faculty teacher of the year for my role as academic lead for the Decolonise the Curriculum Project (2018-2020). This project led to the development of ‘Towards Anti-Racist Legal Pedagogy: A Resource’ for law school teachers, funded by the Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA).

 

​My research has led to several publications including books, edited collections, journal articles, and social policy reports. Before becoming a scholar-activist within the HE sector I worked for international human rights organisations as well as small grassroots anti-discrimination NGOs involved in advocacy and legal change.

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I also have a background in advocacy, campaigning and research for human rights and anti-discrimination organisations from the United Nations to NGOs and grass roots organisations. 

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I am a creative, writer of poetry and short stories and co-facilitate a transnational QTPOC creative writing group. I am a world wanderer (when possible), knowledge-seeker and parent of two beautiful souls.  ​​​​