Race Equality in Higher Education

The Advance HE annual staff and student statistical report highlights that inequalities persist, with lower proportions of both UK and non-UK Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff than White staff on open ended/permanent contracts, in senior management positions, and on higher salary bands.  

Our portfolio supports the addressing of barriers to career development and progression experienced by Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff. 

Our services are built on a legacy of expertise in race equality, drawing from our leadership of the Race Equality Charter, programmes to support the development of the next generation of leaders, including Diversifying Leadership, and highlighting and addressing barriers to career development and progression experienced by minority ethnic staff. 

There is a clear under-representation of leaders from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds in HE institutions in the UK at all levels but particularly at senior levels. There is also documented evidence of the poor experiences of many Black, Asian and minority ethnic academic staff in UK HE including experiences related to leadership roles.

The Diversifying Leadership programme is designed to support early-career academics and professional services staff from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds who are about to take their first steps into a leadership role. It explores themes of power and influence, demystifying leadership, cultural identity and cultural capital, increasing your visibility and authentic leadership and features leadership stories from high-profile HE leaders.

This conference will focus on ensuring that approaches to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) work for all and will address current and future challenges and opportunities. Through forecasting emerging EDI topics and priorities in the sector, it will create space for reflection and capacity building.

The conference will dig deep to explore hidden and emerging EDI issues, and highlight the best examples of creative interventions that are contributing to change. As well as sharing best practice across the sector, there will be a focus on innovative approaches from outside HE and FE that have relevance to us.

Improving the representation, progression and success of Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and students within higher education.

Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter (REC) provides a framework through which institutions work to identify and critically reflect on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and students. Member institutions use evidence and data to develop bold and ambitious initiatives and actions to advancing race equality,  belongingness and inclusion. Institutions can apply for a Bronze or Silver REC award, depending on their level of progress.