National Inclusion Week 2023
National Inclusion Week 2023 (25 September – 1 October)
Every year, National Inclusion Week takes on a new theme, and this year the theme is #TakeActionMakeImpact. The theme aims to highlight the importance of continually taking action to address inclusion in the workplace, taking note of and celebrating the positive impacts along the way. Working towards inclusion is a continual process and at the University, we are committed to providing an inclusive learning and working environment, in a culture of mutual respect and dignity. You can view the full Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Framework 2020 – 2025 here.
Engaging with Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:
In the 2022/3 academic year…
- The EDI team launched a new Neurodiversity Staff Group as a satellite to our Disability Staff Network, to provide staff with a platform to discuss neurodiversity in the workplace, providing a mechanism for peer support, information-sharing and awareness-raising of issues related to neurodiversity in and out of the workplace.
- The University was named as a Stonewall Top 100 LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer, raking 97th up from 277 in 2022, following continued work around LGBTQ+ inclusion in collaboration with the LGBTQI+ Staff Network.
- The University submitted to the Race Equality Charter after signing up in March 2020, and is currently awaiting an update on our submission.
- The University continued to support our Staff Networks: Disability Network, B.A.M.E. Network, Women’s Network and LGBTQI+ Network.
- The EDI team delivered a series of events in collaboration with the Students’ Union to recognise key diversity awareness observances.
- The School of Applied Sciences successfully renewed its Athena SWAN Silver Award
You can also engage with our EDI team today at our Health Passports Consultation Teams Meeting from 12:00pm – 12:45pm.
Alternatively, if you are not able to join but would like more information, please email the EDI team.
Equip and Empower
One of the ways the University ensures Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is embedded in its culture is through our Staff Equality Networks. Equality networks provide a space for colleagues who share a protected characteristic to network, obtain peer support and share information, and aim to empower colleagues by providing a channel to feedback directly to the University.
Hear from a few of our Staff Equality Network Chairs below, and follow the links to learn more about each network:
Disability Network
Co-Chairs: Georgia Vine and Stephen Howe
"As somebody who developed a disability in later life and during my time working at the University, I have been very grateful of some very sympathetic and understanding line managers. This was particularly appreciated during the pandemic when my work pattern was adjusted to allow me to work from home after others had returned as I was classed as vulnerable. As well as my day job at the university I have participated in the Staff Network Group and found this a useful forum for colleagues to discuss common issues and feed information back to the HR team. With our previous chair leaving the University I have agreed to step up as Co -Chair with Georgia Vine and look forward to working with her and helping to steer the group in the direction it’s members want us to go. With yet another hat on, I am also active in the University branch of Unison and previously held the role of Equalities Co-ordinator. I believe that being able to bring diverse ideas and experiences to the group is vital to see us flourish and develop." - Stephen Howe, Disability Network Co-Chair
Neurodiversity Group
Co-Chairs: Simon Kelly and Erika Montgomery
"Being neurodivergent often means trying to fit into a world and a workplace not always set up to recognise or accommodate your experiences and needs. This can often be a lonely and challenging experience for neurodivergent colleagues or those who have neurodivergent partners, family members, or dependents. The Neurodiversity Staff Group is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the many intersecting ways that neurodivergency might be experienced, and how we might work together in building a culture of inclusivity and so create a more neurodivergent-friendly workplace and university." - Simon Kelly, Neurodiversity Group Co-Chair
Women’s Network
Chair: Ruth Brooks
“Being lead of the Women's Staff Network has helped me to connect with women across the university and learn about other's experiences which can vary significantly depending on roles and personal circumstances. As a network, we can act collectively and push forward initiatives to help achieve gender equity in the workplace.” - Ruth Brooks, Women's Network Chair
LGBTQI+ Network
Chair: Carson McCombe
B.A.M.E Network
Chair: Hannah Alipoor and Berenice Golding
The University’s equality policies and guidance also ensure staff are aware of the University’s commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, as well as recognising their own responsibilities to behave in accordance with the frameworks to help create and maintain an inclusive environment in the workplace. We regularly review and update our organisational policy to ensure it is up to date with best practice, and we consult with our staff equality networks while developing policy to ensure the diversity of the staff voice is heard and reflected.
We also encourage staff to contact the EDI team or the owner of a policy to provide feedback wherever necessary.
Embed
Embedding EDI in our culture means continually recognising key dates of importance in the diversity calendar. October is Black History Month, and the EDI team has planned a series of events in collaboration with our Black History Month Working Group members and the Students’ Union.
You can see an overview of events on our EDI News and Events page, with bookable links to be released shortly. A full programme of events, as well as regular communications, will be released throughout October on the Staff Hub, and circulated via your School or Service’s Diversity Champion.
Evolve
The final day of National Inclusion Week’s theme is Evolve, highlighting the continually evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion. Our Diversity Calendar 2023-4 was recently published, bringing together an annual calendar of key religious and diversity awareness dates, with a particular focus on those the University will be recognising over the next academic year.
We recognise that part of evolving our diversity practice includes being open to continual change and feedback, and would welcome colleagues to contact the EDI team directly if they have any feedback on our Diversity Calendar or suggestions on future diversity awareness initiatives they would like to see promoted.