Proud to be a Race Equality Charter member

Race Equality Charter - bronze award logo

At ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, we’re committed to giving our students, staff and graduates equal opportunities, regardless of race.

Since 2016, we’ve been a member of the (REC). It’s an initiative managed by Advance HE and exists to improve the representation, progression and success of underrepresented groups within higher education.

Over the last sevenÌýyears, we’ve undertaken a range of initiatives to advance racial equalityÌýand this yearÌýwe were successful in our submission for aÌýBronze Award.ÌýOur evidence base includedÌýlistening to the experiences of the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ community, demonstrating how teams and individuals are working to embed race equality in the curriculum, and interviews with ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ academics, whose research, education and practice specifically reflect areas of the REC.

We’re committed to progressing with our extensive action plans, which formed part of theÌýREC submission. These will continue toÌýrepresent allÌýaspects of ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ life, such asÌýstudent recruitment, curriculum review, graduate outcomes and staff development.Ìý

Sharing experiences through the Reverse Mentoring Scheme

Launched inÌý2022/23, the Reverse Mentoring Scheme is anÌýexample of how we’re putting our commitment to diversity and inclusivity into action, to encourage and enhance representation and to ensure that the voices of minority and underrepresented groups are heard.

The scheme enables ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ staff members who identify as Black, Asian or any other ethnic minority to talk about their experiences, and for senior staff across ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ to increase their insight into the lived experiences of underrepresented groups and the potential barriers that they face.Ìý

A headshot image of Dr Sophia Amenyah

Sophia Amenyah

Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Reverse Mentoring Scheme mentor:

It’s important to share your lived experiences, so that these can influence the university policy and create a more welcoming and productive workplace culture and environment.
Jonathan Goode, ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥'s Head of Fundraising and Alumni Relations

Jonathan Goode

Head of Fundraising and Alumni Relations and Reverse Mentoring Scheme mentee:

It might mean stepping outside of your comfort zone and confronting perceptions or judgements that you didn’t think (or don’t want to admit) you hold. For me it has been a positive journey, which has made me look at issues surrounding race in new ways.

Campaigning for change

SUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥'s Black Students' Network logo

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SUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ÌýBlack Students’ÌýNetwork

The SUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ÌýBlack Students’ÌýNetwork supportsÌýÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ students who self-define as black individuals and welcomes black student allies.Ìý

It’s one of , all of which exist to promote positive change at ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ and SUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, both within learning and social environments.

At the heart of each Liberation NetworkÌýare a series of campaigns and events, led by the elected Officer for that year. These have included supporting the ‘Why is My Curriculum White’ÌýCampaign, addressing the attainment gap for black students, and events for black women, from yoga classes to personal exploration sessions.Ìý

SUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Allyship Hub

Set up by Toluwa Atilade, former SUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Vice President Welfare & Community, the has two main purposesÌý–Ìýfor the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ community to develop their knowledge ofÌýthe issues black people and other underrepresented groups face, and to understand the lived experiences of these groups so that they become better active allies.

Whether you choose to read, watch, listen to, follow or see how you can make a difference, the Hub is home to a range of content, offering something for everyone.

Supporting students through our Black Alumni Mentoring Programme

A ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥-designed logo that says: Diversity, Representation, Inclusion, Value, Equality DRIVE Change is an award-winning alumni programme designed to increase the visibility of under-represented groups and celebrate their distinctiveness

Developed across theÌý2021/22 academic yearÌýin partnership with SUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, our Black Alumni Mentoring Programme matchesÌýÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ graduates with current black students. The aim is for each mentor (graduate) to provide their mentee (student) with ongoing career support and to createÌýaÌýsense of belonging.Ìý

Initially a pilot scheme, the programmeÌýwas developedÌýin response to feedback from studentsÌýand is an example of how ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ and SUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ are tackling the black students attainment gap.

It’s also a coreÌýpart of DRIVE ChangeÌý–Ìýa series of graduate events and programmes that shine the spotlight onÌýissues underrepresented groups continue to face.

Discover the career journeys of two ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ graduates: