In the first episode of Season 2 of The Class Ceiling, Liam Gifford and Melissa Allada sit down with advocate, activist, and public speaker Ben Hurst for an insightful conversation about supporting young men through the challenges of masculinity, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. Ben shares stories from his work in universities and communities where he helps create spaces for young men to open up, challenge stereotypes, and connect in meaningful ways. Together, they dive into the power of curiosity, empathy, and role modelling in fostering growth and understanding, while also tackling the importance of normalising struggles and having honest conversations.

You can learn more about the work that Ben and Beyond Equality do here, and can stay in the loop on Instagram @beyond_equality @therealbenhurst.

In this tenth and Heather Pasero's final episode of The Class Ceiling Podcast, Liam Gifford and Heather spoke to Deputy Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, Professor Damien Page. Damien is founder of the Working Class Leaders and Aspiring Leaders in Higher Education network. They speak about perceptions and attitudes to working-class professionals working in Higher Education in the UK.

This shorter episode of the Class Ceiling Podcast was recorded at the launch event for The Class Ceiling Photography exhibition. The Class Ceiling is a photography exhibition showcasing the working-class experiences of a range of students, staff and alumni of the University of Southampton. Produced and curated by the University of Southampton’s Social Mobility Network, it offered a glimpse into the lived experiences of its contributors, celebrating who they are and what they bring to the institution and our city.

The Social Mobility Network is a dedicated space for like-minded students and staff who self-define as having a low socioeconomic or working class background. Members of the Social Mobility Network can inform and create cultural change that will benefit all students and staff at the University of Southampton.

The Class Ceiling exhibition was the Social Mobility Network’s first presentation at John Hansard Gallery.

As an extended celebration of Social Mobility Awareness Day, which takes place on Thursday 15 June, The University of Southampton’s Social Mobility Network hosted the Social Mobility Festival 2023. The conference spotlighted authentic voices and provide the opportunity to challenge pre-existing assumptions. Held on Social Mobility Awareness Day, attendees contributed to discussions about how social mobility can help institutions and how collaboration with different stakeholders, including students and staff, can help to ingrain widening participation at all levels. The conference covered the current landscape and looked to the future. Speakers included representatives from the Sutton Trust, Zero Gravity and The Brilliant Club.

For this Subcultural Capital Special episode of The Class Ceiling podcast, Heather spoke to Pascal Matthias for a truly dynamic interview with our newly appointed University of Southampton Associate Vice President of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice and authentic beacon of hope for change.

In the 'Accents' special episode, Daisy and Heather spoke to a staff/student panel about their experiences of speaking with an accent in the University environment. The Class Ceiling also were granted unique access to Rebecca Montacute, Senior Research and Policy Manger at The Sutton Trust for an illuminating conversation about the recent 'Speaking Up' Report, that looks at accents and social mobility.

Matthew, Simpson, Head of Data Analysis and Insight @ UoS

Bilal Faiq Al Habib, second year Medicine Student @UNISON UoS

Gino Graziano, Director of Widening Participation and Social Mobility

In this special edition of The Class Ceiling Podcast, Heather and Daisy attended University of Southampton Opportunities Roadshow. The Opportunities Roadshow brought students, staff and employers together for rich discussions about students and graduates who are under-represented in the labour market accessing opportunities. After the event Heather and Daisy recorded a dynamic conversation with Rt Hon Justine Greening, whose organisation, This is Purpose, ran the event, as well as key staff, Director of Widening Participation and Social Mobility and University of Southampton, our Director of Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise and Sandeep Bhandal, VP of Marketing for Adecco Group.