A day in the life of Pauline Mallam, DEI Manager at Aardman

Pauline Mallam, DEI Manager at Aardman, describes a typical day in the life at the company.

What's your full name, and title?

My name is Pauline Mallam, I am the EDI Manager at Aardman

Tell us a bit about your role and how you got here?

I started in June 2022. I am the first EDI Manager at Aardman, so I have been able to carve my own path, based on our EDI Charter. The Charter had been created and published by the EDI Taskforce, and having this foundation was a great way to start the job!

Before Aardman, I worked in a charity based in East London, as Inclusion Officer, working a lot on the ground with schools, communities and families creating accessible music education for young people.

Where you see yourself in 10 years?

In 10 years, I would like to see myself having built connections and relationships with other studios, and working to develop a fairer industry for all.

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day is working at one of the studios in Bristol, catching up on the current projects and planning the next Awareness Day. The calendar of Celebrations gives the year a good rhythm, and we also have ongoing ERG meetings about all topics like gender equality, pride, neurodiversity accessibility, black history month…I also like being in schools delivering workshops with the model-makers and animators, or meeting with other creative organisations or charities to develop partnerships and projects. I work very closely with our fabulous HR team and have ongoing discussions about equity in recruitment, how to reach out to more diverse candidates etc….

What part of your role do you enjoy the most?

It’s hard to choose as the role is very varied, but I like offering a platform for colleagues to share their stories. Last year we had a colleague sharing their journey with OCD, and that was very powerful. The Talks & Events seem to resonate with people the most, and I enjoy providing that space.

Which top three skills are vital for this role and why?

Being able to build trust. Being a good listener & learn from others. Having good knowledge of policies/laws.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your role?

It’s very hard to please everyone, so having a thick skin is a must!

How do you help others feel like they belong in your team/promote inclusion?

We have Teams channels, In-person meetings and events. Having face to face conversation about what people care about and taking actions.

Which podcast/Youtube series would you recommend to someone interested in pursuing a career in this area to help develop their skills/prepare them for the role?

Inclusive Employers have a series of podcasts that are useful.

Have interests and research! I listen to a lot of podcasts like The Guilty Feminist, The Imposter Club, Today in Focus, Doing it Right….And there are many (many) books to read about Anti-Racism, Feminism, Neurodiversity….

The role itself needs someone who can understand the outcomes of outreach projects, the need for specific policies, how to engage people, analyse data, and being able to argue your points!