Tom Syder

Tom commits a significant amount of time to being chair of the University staff LGBTQ+ network, the Rainbow Network. Tom has been chair for five years, and has professionalised the network, raised its profile and been involved in some key high level University projects, advocating for staff.

He is quietly confident and diplomatic in all situations, without being afraid to put forward appropriate challenge. It is through his work that the University of Birmingham has gone up in the Stonewall rankings significantly. It is through his leadership that the University now has a large showing at Birmingham Pride each year.

What’s your connection to the University?

I graduated MSci Physics and Astrophysics at UoB in 2015 and now work in the University’s College of Medical and Dental Sciences as Outreach, Equality and Diversity Officer. This is a varied role which includes responsibility for organising widening participation activities for prospective students from disadvantaged backgrounds, coordinating equality action plans within the College, and developing new policies and initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion.

Do you have any favourite sports? What do you like about them?

The sport which I watch most frequently is tennis – I’m not particularly sporty myself but I make good use of the exercise classes at the University Sport and Fitness Centre!

While growing up, did you follow any particular sports stars?

By virtue of my day job and my passion for equality, the sports stars I admire the most are the ones who break down barriers and play a role in diversifying their sport (and society more broadly). Ellie Simmonds, Michael Gunning, Marcus Rashford, and most recently Jake Daniels all spring to mind.

What are you most looking forward to during the Games?

Volunteering with Pride House Birmingham – an organisation which has been set up to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ athletes, spectators, and officials, and the first such organisation in the history of the Commonwealth Games to be formally integrated with the Games.

How does it feel to know your alma mater is hosting the Games?

It’s wonderful to know that the University has been able to take part in such a major event, and that this has provided so many fantastic work, volunteering, sporting, and other opportunities for our staff, students, and alumni. I really hope that plenty of people take the chance to get involved and have an enjoyable experience during this unique opportunity.

How does it feel to be selected as a batonbearer?

It’s incredibly humbling, and gratifying – I owe a large debt of thanks to my nominator and the selection committee, and I’m really looking forward to taking part!