LJMU Diversity and Inclusion Team are proud to announce the inaugural launch of Moongate Mix North. In collaboration with Moongate Mix, we will be hosting their very first salon session in the Northwest, with a session titled, Exploring Asian Identity in the Northwest UK: Representation and Creative Communities. The event brings together the observance of South Asian Heritage Month (18th July – 17th August) and East South East Asian Heritage Month (September). This panel will interrogate, examine, explore the word ‘Asian’ with a view to redefining the boundaries of the term to make it more inclusive in our collective cultural reference. A way we can understand identities is by examining how we relate to others, recognising both commonalities and distinctions. This event intends to spark conversations on updating this terminology to build solidarity across all Asian communities without forgetting the diversity and specificity of their differences.

The event will commence with Moni Akinsanya, LJMU Associate Director of Diversity and Inclusion. This will be followed by a brief workshop on hives and community led by Andrea Ku, an artist, gardener, and beekeeper based in Liverpool 8. The event will then be chaired by Rosa Fong, a Filmmaker and Senior Lecturer at LJMU Screen School. The panel will consist of:

1. Jennifer Lim, Actor and producer, Creative Director of Moongate Productions,
2. Andrea Ku, an Artist, Gardener, and Beekeeper, Director of B4Biodiversity,
3. Lucky Roy Singh, an award-winning LGBTQ+ Activist, an honour-based domestic violence campaigner, and the Mother of the House of Spice
4. Rashmi Danwaththa Liyanage, PhD Researcher from LJMU School Of Psychology, PhD research topic: Discrimination and Psychosis among Ethnic Minorities in the UK.

We also have Nifty Fox in attendance to capture information from the panel discussion and showcase it in a visual mind map that highlights the relationships and connections among ideas and messages with the help of illustrations. We believe that by adopting this innovative approach, participants will be able to better comprehend, interpret, and retain information presented during the event.

Moongate Mix North will be a series of salon events, which brings together Asian academics, creatives, researchers, and wider community to foster conversations around Asian issues.

LOCATION LJMU Student Life Building Room UG16 and UG17 Liverpool L3 5AH

Student Life Building Accessibility:

1. Upon reaching Student Life Building, you may access the social space – UGZ.21 and event venue – UG16 – UG17, by the flight of stairs or by the lifts next to the flight of stairs which will be visible from the building’s entrance.
2. There will be student advocates working at this event, and they can be identified by their dark purple/navy shirts with the words, ‘LJMU’ across the front.
3. Gender neutral toilets are located on the right side of the building in every floor.
4. Accessible toilet is located on the upper ground floor (UG) at approximately 2m from the lift exit. There is step-free access to the accessible toilet.
5. Baby feeding room located on the upper ground floor (UG) – Room UG.14.
6. Quiet room can be found on the upper ground floor (UG) in the chaplaincy area.

This event aims to be inclusive and accessible to all. If you have any specific access and dietary requirements, kindly email equality@ljmu.ac.uk with the email subject: Exploring Asian Identity in the Northwest UK – Access and Dietary Requirements, and a member of our team will get back to you.