My Name Is
A collaborative project aiming to raise awareness about the experiences of those who have felt excluded because of their name
About the project
Many people with non-Anglo names face stigma and discrimination, often feeling alienated in everyday situations. Whether it’s in the coffee line, during class, or seeing a red underline under their name, marked as ‘incorrectly spelled’, we see how some names – and people – are made to feel different. This type of subtle micro-aggression can make anyone feel excluded.Â
My Name is… aims to decolonise our understanding of names and start conversations to create a space where everyone feels seen and heard. The ADA Innovation Hub is inviting staff and students from across UNSW to share their stories or dive into the experiences of others.Â
My Name is… is part of the ADA Stories: reimagining inclusion on campus project, an initiative that aims to make UNSW a more inclusive place.Â
Share your story with us
Do you have a story about your name that you'd like to share with us? We are seeking stories, memories, and personal reflections about your name. We welcome positive stories as well as experiences of exclusion, or moments when you have felt like you do not fit in. Every story is welcome.Â
Diversity Festival 2024
Throughout this year's Diversity Festival we invited all students and staff to visit our community stall and get invoved in sharing stories - to tell us about their name and the experiences they’ve had with it. Or to dive into the experiences of others.
Sharing stories about names is a fun and inclusive way to celebrate our unique identities and cultural backgrounds. It opens up conversations that help us understand and appreciate the diversity around us. By sharing the stories behind our names, we can connect on a personal level, break down barriers and create a sense of belonging for everyone. Plus, it’s a great way to learn something new and interesting about each other!
Let’s celebrate the rich diversity here at UNSW. By sharing and listening, we can build a more inclusive community.
Practical solutions
The project team developed step-by-step instructions allowing staff and students to include an audio recording of their name pronunciation in email signatures, 'Moodle' profiles, and class rolls.
Adding an audio recording of name pronunciation to communications is a simple and effective way to ensure others will have a clear understanding of how to pronounce names correctly. This small yet significant addition helps build a more connected and respectful community, where everyone feels acknowledged and valued.
The instructions are user-friendly, and the process can be completed in a few easy steps.
"In my day-to-day work when I attend meetings now, people are able to say my name correctly, which is something I didn't experience before" - Thuy Giang, Project Collaborator.
