Zaina Aljumma - Vice President of Adult Learning Wales

Zaina Aljumma is Vice President of Adult Learning Wales, a Race Equality Charter Officer at The Open University, and a PhD researcher at Swansea University, funded through the Economic and Social Research Council and Welsh Government collaboration. Her research explores Welsh language policies in the context of migration, with a focus on multilingualism, belonging, and anti-racist approaches.

Originally from Syria, Zaina came to the UK seeking sanctuary and has since built a career in adult education, inclusion, and community advocacy. She holds a Master’s degree in SEN/ALN (Dyslexia) from the University of South Wales and brings extensive experience across ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), further education, and community settings. She has also previously been a co-chair of NATECLA Cymru, contributing to the development of ESOL provisions across Wales

Her work bridges research, policy, and practice, including securing Adnodd funding to develop innovative bilingual educational resources for the Curriculum for Wales. She contributes to national priorities such as Cymraeg 2050 and the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan and is committed to widening access to inclusive lifelong learning.

Alongside this, Zaina is the creator of The Kind Place, an award-winning podcast sharing the stories of those rebuilding their lives in the UK. The project reflects our ongoing commitment to creating space for lived experience and supporting ALW’s work towards becoming a College of Sanctuary.

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