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What are pronouns?

You may be unfamiliar with the word “pronoun,” but you use them all the time! Pronouns are used in place of a proper noun (like someone’s name). We use pronouns most often when referring to someone without using their name.

Example: Have you heard from Tom? He hasn’t texted me back all day. He is the pronoun.

Why share them?

Sharing pronouns ensures people feel seen as who they are, creating a culture of safety and belonging, regardless of identity. They help to avoid assumptions based on name (eg; Alex/Lesley), appearance or culture, as well as ensuring that everyone is positively addressed in a manner that affirms their identity.

Free pronoun badges!

You can find FREE pronoun badges at the SU reception. Soon you will be able to find these at all receptions across the University.

Pronoun Changing Guide

Scroll below for guides on how to change/add your pronouns to various different platforms.

How to add/update pronouns on your Teams profile:

  1. Open Teams 

  2. Under Chat you should see your profile at the top (sub-heading ‘Favourites’). Click on the circle with your profile picture/initials 

  3. Directly under your name, before your job title is ‘+Pronouns’ 

  4. Click on this and type in your pronouns 

  5. If added, your pronouns will now display on your profile card to everyone else in online Microsoft apps when they hover over your profile image/initials 

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How to add/update pronouns within your email signature: 

  1. Click on this link: https://outlook.office.com/

  2. Login with your K/KU username and password 

  3. To add a signature template, click on the ‘settings icon’ (cog wheel) that appears at the top right, next to your picture 

  4. Under settings, click on ‘Account’ and then click on ‘Signatures’ 

  1. Click on ‘+New Signature’ or if you already have one, use the box underneath to edit it 

  1. Add brackets after your name and before your job title/further details. Within these, enter your pronouns 

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How to add pronouns to your Canvas profile:

It is possible to add your pronouns to your Canvas profile, meaning that users, groups and collaborators can see your pronouns against your profile and name. The campaign has spoken with the Canvas administrators to update the pronoun options.

  1. Click on this link: https://canvas.kingston.ac.uk/  

  1. Login with your K/KU username and password 

  1. On the lefthand side, click on ‘Account’ 

  1. Within this window, on the left, click on ‘Settings’ 

  1. Within this window, underneath where your names are displayed is a dropdown menu for ‘Pronouns’ 

  1. Select yours from the menu and then scroll down and press ‘Update Settings’ 

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Who supports, or is contributing to this campaign at Kingston University?

The EDI Committee – Student Inclusion – Chairs of the Athena Swan Charter Mark – Brand and Communications – Human Resources – Kingston’s Student Union – Canvas Learning Technologists – IT Services– Social Media and Events Coordinators – Learning and Teaching Excellence Centre (LTEC) – Network of Equality Champions

Equality, diversity and inclusion, access and participation | Kingston University London

 

How are other Universities promoting the sharing of pronouns?

Many other Universities already publicly showcase their support for, and inclusion of, sharing pronouns, either as a voluntary inclusion, as part of their EDI policies, as part of their inclusive language guidance, as part of their recruitment messaging, and/or as part of their promotion of academic and professional profiles: 

University of Bath - Teesside University - Queen Mary University of London - LSE - Imperial – University of West London - University of Edinburgh - University of London - University of the Arts London - University College London - University of St Andrews - University of Westminster  

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Further resources