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.