26 January 2023
Work to break down barriers hindering progress and quality of experience of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff and students at Reading has been recognised with a significant award.
The Bronze award from Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter recognises the University's commitment to making institutional progress on race equality. Only 37 other UK universities have achieved Bronze status and none have yet been awarded Silver – the highest award level that can be applied for.
Reading was praised for its candid approach to identifying race equality issues. Its application contained details of work to decolonise its curriculum, improve BAME staff progression, and deliver impactful activities through its BAME and Allies Staff Network.
The award builds on the Race Equality Review, led by Deputy-Vice-Chancellor Professor Parveen Yaqoob and Diversity & Inclusion Dean Dr Allán Laville, which laid out 20 recommendations to ensure fairer and more equal treatment for all staff and students when it was published in May 2021.
Dr Laville said: “We are pleased to receive this award as it recognises the important work we have done over a number of years to be a more inclusive university.
“Equality of opportunity is a core part of our ethos and we will continue working hard to make further improvements and hit the ambitious targets we have set.
“I’d also like to thank the broad range of colleagues at the University who have contributed their time and effort to reaching this achievement.”
The Race Equality Charter seeks to improve the representation, progression and success of BAME staff and students in higher education.
Reading has been a member of the Race Equality Charter since 2016. The University's membership commits it to actions including improving the performance and retention of minority ethnic students and demonstrating equality and diversity across the University.
A large group of staff from across the University, led by the Diversity & Inclusion team, previously submitted for a Bronze award in 2018. Although the University was not awarded at that time, valuable recommendations and feedback were received, which helped inform the successful application.
A Race Equality at Reading Action Team (RE-ACT) was set up to submit a new application in July 2022, containing a Self-Assessment Team co-chaired by Dr Laville and Dr Joanna John, Joint Head of Doctoral Skills Training and Development in the Graduate School.
The University will now follow up on the charter mark action plan in its submission, as well as other institutional targets around race, with the ambition to progress towards Silver status over the coming years.
Dr John said: “Colleagues from a broad range of Schools and Functions, many working beyond their usual job roles, have worked collaboratively and with commitment towards achieving the Race Equality Charter Mark over a number of years.
“These ongoing collaborations and conversations to deepen and embed work on race equity are part of a longer-term journey, and we welcome the recognition of the Bronze award for those efforts.”
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