National Inclusion Week 2021 (27 September – 3 October)

Each year National Inclusion Week revolves around a chosen theme, and this year that theme is #UnitedForInclusion in response to the events and challenges of the last year.  There is power in everyone coming together to learn, share experiences, support one another and find solutions to these challenges, in order to create lasting positive change.

 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Across the University

The University of Huddersfield is deeply committed to equality, diversity and inclusion for all its students and staff.  Our vision is to provide an inclusive learning and working environment in a culture of mutual respect and dignity, where all staff and students are valued for their contribution and able to reach their full potential.  The Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Framework 2020 - 2025 sets out the vision, objectives and strategy for equality, diversity and inclusion at the University.

As part of National Inclusion Week, here is an update on our current initiatives:

• In March 2020, the University signed up to the Race at Work Charter demonstrating our commitment to improving outcomes for employees from ethnic minority backgrounds. We are now certified as an Investing in Ethnicity Star Employer following the latest assessment of our Ethnicity Maturity Matrix submission.
• Since signing up to the Race Equality Charter (REC) in Autumn 2020 the University has formed a REC Self-Assessment Team (SAT) made up of members of staff and student representatives who expressed an interest in advancing race equality. Working groups have been established focussing on: student and staff perspectives; teaching and learning; policies, procedures and processes and culture and communication. A University wide survey of staff and students was undertaken in June 2021 and this along with University records will help the REC SAT identify future priorities.
• The University became a member of the Stonewall Global Diversity Champions programme in 2019. We are committed to supporting our Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and non-binary (LGBT+) staff and students and providing an inclusive and welcoming staff and student experience. The University participates in the Workplace Equality Index which is an important benchmarking tool that enables us to assess our progress on LGBT+ equality, demonstrate evidence of our achievements and highlight areas where there is still room for improvement. As part of this, colleagues will shortly be invited to fill in a survey seeking views about how we support LGBT+ equality. 
• The University has been a member of the Athena SWAN Gender Equality Charter since 1st October 2015 and in 2020 renewed its Bronze Award. This charter provides a framework for our gender equality work, enabling us to identify priorities and implement the changes required to meet our gender equality goals.
• The University is accredited as a Disability Confident Employer – we are committed to improving how we recruit, retain and progress disabled people in order to further develop and maintain an inclusive and accessible environment.
• The HR Excellence in Research Award has been held since 2011 communicating our commitment to supporting the careers of researchers.

 

The University welcomes and supports the development of staff networks.  Our staff networks provide an opportunity for staff who share a protected characteristic to network, obtain peer support and share information.  They can also offer opportunities for staff to inform university policy on equality related issues and topics. 

 

The University currently has the following staff networks:

 

• LGBTQI+ Staff Network
• BAME Staff Network
• Disability Staff Network
• Women’s Staff Network

Our student networks include the following:

• BAME Ambassador Scheme
• Disabled Students Network
• Global Citizens Network
• LGBT+ Network
• Women’s Network

#UnitedForInclusion