Jaspal Gharu

If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward
Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Biography

Jaspal is an award-winning higher education strategic leader and management professional with a BA(Hons) and M.Res degree in Philosophy. Previously, Jaspal worked at The University of Birmingham in a number of areas such as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Research Development, Event Management and Marketing. In addition, Jaspal is also a Philosopher and Independent Scholar who is particularly interested in: The Philosophy of Love, Feminist Philosophy, Decolonisation, Political Philosophy and Global Ethics. Currently, Jaspal is the Co-Director (Board of Directors) of Minorities and Philosophy (MAP) UK. In this role, Jaspal works on strategies to build a more inclusive academic environment within Philosophy. In particular, Jaspal focuses on addressing: (1) minority issues in the profession, (2) theoretical issues regarding Philosophy and (3) Philosophy done from minority perspectives.

Jaspal has travelled across the UK, Europe and USA researching and presenting his philosophical research at a number of nationally and internationally recognised research conferences and societies. Furthermore, Jaspal has worked in partnership with government, delivering motivational workshops, seminars and events at community groups, under-represented schools and educational establishments in the West Midlands. Here at Newman, Jaspal is our Deputy Head of Registry, for which he is responsible for leading and managing the organisation of the University’s examination, assessment & graduation activities.

Profile

Membership of Professional Organisations:

British Philosophical Association

Minorities and Philosophy UK

The Philosophical Society of England

Conferences and Other Research Activity

Research Presentations/Public Engagement: 

  • Discussing ‘Imposter Syndrome’ with Professor Quassim Cassam (Warwick University). 1st Midlands MAP Festival 2021: Philosophy, Academia and Mental Health. May 2021
  • “Indian Farmers Protest Panel Discussion with Dr. Jagbir Jhutti-Johal and Harjap Bhangal (BBC, UK Immigration Lawyer)”. College of Arts and Law Inclusivity Projects, The University of Birmingham. March 2021.
  • “Further Study Panel at The University of Birmingham”. UoBe Festival, The University of Birmingham. January 2021.
  • “Goal Setting and Maximising your Potential”. Joseph Chamberlain College, Birmingham. December 2020.
  • “Is Romantic Love Systematically Racist?” The Fifth Annual Conference of the Centre of Global Ethics, The University of Birmingham. May 2019.
  • “Romantic Love, Constructionist Functionalism and Systematic Racism”. Popular Culture Association. Washington, D.C. USA. April 2019.
  • “Philosophy and the Diversity Problem”. Micro-aggressions, Philosophy and Academia Conference, The University of Birmingham European Hub. Brussels, Belgium. July 2019.
  • “A BAME Viewpoint: Increasing Confidence and Realising Aspirations”. Walsall Council ‘Raise Your Game’ Conference, Walsall, U.K. July 2019.
  • “Being BAME within Academia”. Equality and Diversity Student Conference, The University of Birmingham. June 2019.
  • “Changing in the Making”. Confronting Colonialism Conference 2019, The University of Birmingham.
  • “Positive Pathways, Careers and Education”. Walsall Council, Walsall, U.K. July 2019.
  • “What is the Future of Education? Young People, Activism and Alternative”. The University of Liverpool, Liverpool Residential Conference. February 2019.
  • “How Love plays in Politics?” The University of Oxford, The Politics of Love Conference. December 2018.

Research Conferences Organised:

May- June 2021- 1st Midlands MAP Festival 2021: Philosophy, Academia and Mental Health (Virtual)

This virtual conference was in collaboration with The University of Warwick, The University of Nottingham and The University of Birmingham. The conference bought together professionals, researchers and academics to discuss and explore themes in mental health and higher education.

June 2019- Equality and Diversity Annual Conference 2019, University of Birmingham

This conference explored Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in higher education and beyond, reflecting on current issues and imagining more radical and intersectional futures.

July 2019- Micro-aggressions, Philosophy and Academia Conference 2019 (Brussels, Belgium)

This conference shared knowledge and further understanding of micro-aggressions, particularly looking at how micro-aggressions occur within higher education sector.

Other Activities

Publications:

  • Gharu, J.S et al. (2021) ‘Chain Letter: Decolonial and Anti-Racism Student Activism’ in The Sociological Review.
  • Gharu, J.S and Ishwardat, S (2021). ‘The Ongoing Indian Farmers Strike’ in Minorities and Philosophy UK Blog.
  • Gharu, J. S. (2020). ‘Book Review: Frankfurt, Harry. The Reasons of Love’ in The Journal of Popular Romance Studies.