Say My Name
About
This project aims to explore and promote respectful interactions around names. To create a culture of inclusivity within a diverse learning community, we need to develop practical skills and systems at both individual and institutional level to ensure students and staff are not required to change to fit in, and this includes ensuring that everyone can use the name they prefer and have that name respected.
Led by Dr. Jane Bryan (Academic Lead, CVEP) with Puja Laporte (Programme Manager, CVEP), we explore whether a lack of familiarity with the pronunciation and spelling of the names of others creates barriers to teaching and learning, and social interactions. We capture the experiences of both those encountering names with which they are unfamiliar and the experiences of bearers of names that many find unfamiliar, including those who adapt their names or adopt new names to navigate this issue.
Explore
- The Say My Name research project in more detail.
- Open access Say My Name library of research and resources on names.
- The Advance HE blog post by Dr Jane Bryan on the importance of names in inclusive interactions.
- The guidance on names in this Times Higher piece by Dr Jane Bryan
- The Hear My Name pilot and how to embed an audio name badge in your email signature.
- The Understand My Name series of events and activities aimed at celebrating the beauty of our names.
- The Say My Name symposium recordings and resources.
- Our work with Coventry Schools around names and name stories.
- Future projects include exploring the experience of trans students around 'dead naming' and also the experience of students around adopting a new name when starting university. Email J.M.Bryan@warwick.ac.uk to find out more.
Stay in touch
To stay in touch with others interested in names and how they can build inclusive communities, subscribe to the listserv by emailing this address saymynamecommunity-subscribe@listserv.csv.warwick.ac.uk (no message needed) or by emailed Dr Jane Bryan (j.m.bryan@warwick.ac.uk).
Upcoming events
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Presentation on 6 July 2022 on the theme "Say my name: The importance of names in building inclusive institutions" at the Teaching and Learning Conference 2022: Teaching in the spotlight: Where next for enhancing student success? being held on 5-7 July 2022 at Northumbria University, Newcastle. Join the conversation #TLConf22.
Why getting others' names right matters
A recording made by Manchester Metropolian University and shown at the Say My Name symposium in February 2022 (more recordings here)
Guide to respecting names
In our research, we heard from many staff and students with names many find unfamiliar. Read some tips on how respect names in interactions.