We are committed to tackling racial inequalities and making our University a more equal, diverse and inclusive place to be, where everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or national origin, can succeed.
As part of the University’s application to Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter (REC), earlier this year a series of surveys and focus groups with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students were commissioned to give a better understanding of wider issues.
These groups particularly centred on the ways in which racial diversity impacts upon staff and students sense of belonging, their desire to stay at the University, their experience of equal/non-equitable treatment and wider issues of reporting discrimination on things like: career progression, accessing academic support and course engagement.
Our priorities and next steps
Senior leaders from across the University met late last year to discuss the findings and as a result the Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team are building a cohesive action plan to address the findings of both the survey and the focus groups.
This action plan will be shared for consultation with key stakeholders in our university community, including students, and will be used to accompany our application for a Bronze level REC Charter mark which we are aiming to submit to AdvanceHE in July 2023.
A Bronze award recognises that an institution has a solid foundation for eliminating racial inequalities and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff and students. It acknowledges commitment and preparation to act, and shows that an institution has developed specific actions and initiatives to tackle issues.
Professor Fiona Beveridge, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Chair of the University’s Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team, said: “I would like to thank everyone who participated in either the survey or focus groups. The findings from this work will not only support our application to the Charter, but will form an integral part of the work we are doing to tackle racial inequalities on campus.
“It is clear that we will not eradicate racial inequalities overnight but I would like to thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to taking decisive, wide-reaching action for as long as it takes.”