Aston University: Aston University recognised for its commitment to advancing race equality
Aston University has been recognised for its commitment to advancing race equality with a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award.
Organised by AdvanceHE, which works to support equality, diversity and inclusion for staff and students in universities and colleges, the Race Equality Charter is awarded to institutions in recognition of excellence in advancing racial equality in higher education.
The 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.
Following a rigorous self-assessment by the University to identify any institutional structural and cultural barriers experienced by minority ethnic students and staff, the University has developed a detailed action plan to address differences in the experience and outcomes of minority ethnic students, as well as differences in the experience and opportunities for our minority ethnic staff. The full application and action plan will be made available on our website over the coming weeks.
Some of the initiatives the University has already put in place to progress race equality include the creation of the BAME+ staff network, advancing work towards a decolonised and inclusive curricula and the successful pilot of the University’s inclusive recruitment process.
Some examples of the University’s future focus include improving it academic pipeline, particularly Black representation, closing the attainment gap of our low-performing minority ethnic groups, particularly non-UK Black and Chinese students and implementing anonymous feedback and marking across all Colleges
Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at Aston University, said:
“I am delighted that the University’s work to set the essential foundations in place to advance race equality has been recognised with the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award.
“We are committed to becoming a truly inclusive university and recognise there is more to be done. We have embedded EDI at the heart of our strategy and will continue our work to identify and address structural and cultural barriers, to eliminate racial inequality and to improve the representation, experiences and success of our minority ethnic staff and students.”
Ruth Gilligan, assistant director equality, diversity and inclusion at Advance HE, 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 Aston University as it progresses its action plans to advance race equality.”
There are currently 97 Race Equality Charter members, holding 33 awards between them.