THE University of Bradford is hoping to “challenge perceptions” when its annual diversity festival returns next month.

The five-day festival will run from March 12 to 16, and look at issues like transgender identity, disability and faith.

As well as workshops and lectures, there will be a comedy night, headlined by Honorary Graduate of the university Francesca Martinez and a “dishy dads” cookery session.

The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Challenging Perceptions’ and the programme will look at new, interesting and thought-provoking ideas and is created in partnership with staff, students and external partners.

Other highlights will include a panel discussion on ‘taking back the power’ and an opportunity to hear survivors’ stories from the charity Karma Nirvana.

Also featuring is Bisi Alimi, the gay rights campaigner who became the first Nigerian to come out on national TV.

The comedy night, on Friday, March 16, will feature Mrs Martinez, who has featured on numerous TV shows and was born with cerebral palsy, although she prefers to describe herself as “wobbly.” She has appeared at Bradford Literature Festival to discuss her book What the **** is Normal? and was made an honorary graduate of the university in 2016.

She will be joined by Jack Carroll, star of Britain’s got Talent, who also has cerebral palsy.

The dishy dads cookery session is an attempt to break down typical stereotypes about men’s role in the kitchen, and will be held on the Friday.

A wheelchair push on the Tuesday will see 20 wheelchairs available for students and staff to push themselves from Bradford Forster Square Station through the city centre via the Mirror Pool and up to the university. The aim is to raise awareness of accessibility in Bradford, famous for its hilly streets.

There will also be a wheelchair treasure hunt, where students will be able to experience moving about the campus as a wheelchair-user.

My Perspective will run in the Richmond Building through the week, and is a collaboration between Choices4All, Titus Salt School Designated Special Provision and Proper Artists. It is a visual exploration of 22 young people’s identity and self in Bradford in 2018, made up of a large-scale, detailed montage of silhouette self-portraits.

On the Monday former student Tina Horizon, a Chartered Electrical Engineer who now works in the railway vehicle industry will discuss her transition to being a woman, and answer questions about living as a transgender person.

Gill Cockburn, co-chair of n-able, the staff network for promoting disability equality said: “This year’s programme looks the best yet with inspiring talks, lively debates and lots of laughter.

“These events are for everyone and will hopefully raise awareness and tackle some of the misperceptions people may have. It is set to be a fantastic week and I hope as many people book on to the events as possible.”

The Diversity Festival last ran in 2016 and partners include Bradford College, which is hosting a series of cinema nights throughout the festival.

For information on dates, times and how to book onto these events, visit brad.ac.uk/news-and-events/diversity-festival/