The Race Equality Charter Mark is aimed at improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education.
The initiative follows in the footsteps of Advance HE’s renowned Athena SWAN Charter, and recognises excellence in advancing racial equality in higher education. It allows Higher Education Institutions to apply for an award recognising their commitment to, and progression towards, race equality.
For more information visit Advance HE
Staffordshire University Action Plan
At Staffordshire University we recognise that the continued existence of racial inequalities in higher education limits both minority ethnic individuals and the sector as a whole in fulfilling its full potential.
We have therefore developed our Race Inclusion Action Plan (2020-2023). Implementation of this will enable us to apply for the Advance HE Race Equality Charter Mark in the future.
The purpose of our action plan is to inspire a strategic approach to making cultural and systemic changes that will make a real difference to minority ethnic staff and students.
It covers:
- professional and support staff
- academic staff
- student attainment, diversity of the curriculum and progression of students into academia.
Through this work we aim to:
- Make a positive difference to the experience of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students and staff.
- Consolidate and celebrate previous and current work.
- Focus on identifying meaningful and challenging race equality objectives and actions for the next three years.
- Do more to promote an inclusive culture and enhance our reputation within the sector.
- Improve the way in which we meet our legislative duties.
- Embed and mainstream equality.
Monitoring our race inclusion action plan
We have established a strategic Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group to monitor progress implementing the Race Inclusion Action Plan and other equality and diversity work streams.
This group reports the Senior Leadership Team twice a year. Progress is also included in our statutory Annual Equality Reports.
For more information contact us.
Charter Principles
As a member of the Advance HE Race Equality Charter, the University is committing to following these guiding principles:
- Racial inequalities are a significant issue within higher education. Racial inequalities are not necessarily overt, isolated incidents. Racism is an everyday facet of UK society and racial inequalities manifest themselves in everyday situations, processes and behaviours.
- UK higher education cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of the whole population and until individuals from all ethnic backgrounds can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords.
- In developing solutions to racial inequalities, it is important that they are aimed at achieving long-term institutional culture change, avoiding a deficit model where solutions are aimed at changing the individual.
- Minority ethnic staff and students are not a homogenous group. People from different ethnic backgrounds have different experiences and outcomes of higher education, and that complexity needs to be considered in analysing data and considering actions.
- All individuals have multiple identities, and the intersection of those different identities should be considered wherever possible.