Huddersfield gains Bronze Award from Race Equality Charter
The University of Huddersfield is proud to announce that we have gained the Bronze Award from Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter.
The award recognises the University’s work in identifying and addressing the barriers facing Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students and staff, and bringing about action and improvement.
The Race Equality Charter (REC) aims to help universities and research institutes in their work to improve the representation, progression and success of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people in higher education.
Among the initiatives undertaken by the University since it signed up the REC in September 2020 are:
• Reduction in the attainment gap for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students
• ‘Root out racism’ movement, addressing institutional and structural racism as well as health and social inequalities across West Yorkshire
• Broaden My Bookshelf panel debate – ‘Diversify or decolonise?’ – and a widening of the University library’s general literature and academic portfolio
• Development of materials designed by students for staff training following workshops for staff and students highlighting microaggressions encountered by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students.
Included in the REC’s list of examples of good practice by the University were,
• The Inclusivity Framework for Course Design, which puts equality at the heart of student academic experience
• Partnering with recruitment consultants to promote an increase in applicants from under-represented groups, which demonstrates the positive impact that the HE sector can have by influencing partners
• HuDAP/Flying Start programmes, which see intersectional data being used as the basis for targeted interventions to support students.
Also highlighted by the REC was the University’s honest recognition of the challenges it faces, the relevant actions made by the University based on its understanding of the data it has collected and its acknowledgement of its ties to the local area, with willingness to collaborate with the local community.
Professor Bob Cryan CBE, University of Huddersfield Vice-Chancellor, said, “I am delighted that our commitment to achieving race equality, as demonstrated by the actions we have undertaken and have planned for the future, has been deservedly recognised by this Bronze Award.
"I am very proud of the progress we have made so far. The passion from colleagues has been to drive change, to have a better understanding of the issues faced by Black, Asian and minority ethnic students and staff, to implement inclusive practices and embed diversity into teaching and learning and showcase diversity across our campus.”
Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter’s mission is to improve the representation, experience, progression and success of racially minoritised staff and students within higher education. It provides a rigorous and robust framework through which institutions work to critically reflect and act on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of the progression and success of racially minoritised staff and students.
There are currently 101 Race Equality Charter members.
Anne Mwangi, Head of the Race Equality Charter, said, “REC Bronze is recognition of an institution’s robust foundation for eliminating racial inequalities, developing inclusive cultures and moving from commitment to sustainable and integrated bold and ambitious action.
“Advance HE looks forward to supporting the University of Huddersfield as it progresses its action plans to advance race equality.”