Advance HE is delighted to announce that the University of Birmingham, a member of the Race Equality Charter (REC), has successfully achieved a Bronze award under the scheme.
The Race Equality Charter is one of the services provided by Advance HE which aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education. The Charter provides a framework through which institutions work to self-reflect on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of minority ethnic staff and students.
Professor Jo Duberley, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), University of Birmingham, said, “In recent weeks we have rightly been asked about what actions the University is taking to respond to racial inequalities. The achievement of the Race Equality Charter Bronze Standard is part of our recognition that we can and must do more. The three-year self-assessment process enabled us to take a careful and comprehensive analysis of our organisational processes and culture. This is significant work which included our largest ever consultative exercise on race, involving over 5,000 staff and students throughout 2018 and 2019.
“The associated action plan, developed with students and staff, is a comprehensive package of measures that we will be working on in the months and years to come. These are not all quick fixes, but we are determined to make a difference to the lives and experiences of our BAME communities within the University and wider society.”
Kathryn Harrison-Graves, Advance HE Director of Membership and Accreditation, said, “Many congratulations to the University of Birmingham. A Bronze award recognises that the University has undergone a rigorous self-assessment process to produce a robust action plan and is committed to tackling the barriers to progress for ethnic minority staff and students. It’s a very positive step.
“The Race Equality Charter offers a clear set of principles to underpin change. It’s our actions and real commitment to change that are going to make a difference in bringing about equality, and right now that message is being transmitted around the world as rarely seen before.”
There are currently 62 members and now 15 award holders of the Race Equality Charter.
Find out more about engaging with the Race Equality Charter (REC), encouraging and recognising commitment to improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students.