Michael Cole is an education consultant, a sports therapist, and a Principal Teaching Fellow in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Imperial College London.
Having been an NDTi Board Member for the past two years, Michael shares his reflections on our new three-year strategy.
Michael explains why the commitment to tackling systemic inequities, promoting inclusion and responding to society’s biggest challenges matters now more than ever.
As NDTi launches its new three-year strategy, I am proud to reflect on what this commitment means to me, both as a Trustee and through my work as a researcher, educator and advocate for anti-racism, transgender rights, and disability justice across healthcare, sport and education.
The evidence is clear, structural inequities and systemic discrimination shape people’s opportunities, experiences and outcomes. Whether it is disabled people facing barriers to health and social care, trans communities navigating exclusion and stigma in everyday sport or racially minoritised communities encountering persistent inequities in education and public services, the challenges are embedded within society and its institutions. Addressing them requires more than good intentions; it demands a long-term commitment to transforming the institutions and cultures that limit people’s ability to live the life they choose.
This is why NDTi’s commitment to responding to major societal challenges, including an ageing population, systemic inequities and structural discrimination, feels so important and timely. At its heart is a belief that all people have the right to be fully included in society.
"Inclusion is not simply about access or representation. It's about belonging, dignity, power and justice."
For me, one of the most important foundations of this work is cultural and structural humility1. This means recognising that we do not have all the answers and that meaningful change begins with listening, learning and reflecting critically on our own assumptions, practices and power. Humility encourages an ‘Ubuntu’2 reflexivity3: continuously learning about ourselves and the world through and with others. It also calls us to use an intersectional4 lens, recognising how multiple forms of oppression can converge in people’s lives, alongside a decolonising5 approach that values radical love, class solidarity and collective liberation as foundations for a better future.
NDTi’s values embody this approach. We aim to act with humanity by placing people and human rights at the centre of our work. We strive to remain curious and willing to challenge the status quo. We collaborate with communities and partners, recognising that lived experience and community leadership are essential drivers of change. And we focus on creating impact that contributes to better lives.
As we embark on this next phase, I believe that our strategy, grounded in humility and solidarity with the communities at the heart of change, offers a robust pathway towards a more inclusive future – one where everyone can participate and flourish.
As we begin delivering this ambitious new strategy, we know that meaningful change can only happen through collaboration, curiosity and shared commitment. We invite you to explore our new strategy, learn more about our priorities for the years ahead and join the conversation about how we can work together to create a society where everyone can live the life they choose.
#NDTiVoices #NDTiInAction
References:
- Cole, Michael, and Anna Caffrey. ‘From Cultural Competency to Structural Humility’. In Routledge Handbook of Sports and Exercise Therapy, 2nd edn. Routledge, 2024.
- Barzegar, Reza. ‘A Journey with Ubuntu: Reflections on Empathy, Growth, and Community Impact’. Medium, 26 October 2024. https://medium.com/@reza.barzegar.1370/a-journey-with-ubuntu-reflections-on-empathy-growth-and-community-impact-7ba6baf51a8d.
- Brown, Nicole. ‘Reflexivity and Positionality in Social Sciences Research’. Accessed 21 July 2026. https://the-sra.org.uk/SRA/SRA/Blog/ReflexivityandPositionalityinSocialSciencesResearch.aspx.
- Coombes, Hannah. ‘Intersectionality 101: What Is It and Why Is It Important?’ Womankind Worldwide, 24 November 2019. https://www.womankind.org.uk/intersectionality-101-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important/.
- Kofie, Dawn. ‘Decolonial Evaluation: Centring Communities and Shifting Power’. Catalyst Tech Justice Network, n.d. Accessed 21 July 2026. https://www.thecatalyst.org.uk/resource-articles/decolonial-evaluation-centring-communities-and-shifting-power/.