51 has been awarded the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award by Advance HE in recognition of its commitment to addressing inequalities and to advancing race equality.
The was set up 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. Northumbria now joins the ranks of 100 Race Equality Charter members, holding 52 awards between them.
The University’s submission to the Race Equality Charter followed an extensive collaborate approach with members of the University’s Race Equality Steering Group working with colleagues and students from across the wider university community. The submission involved an extensive self-assessment of race equality at the University and included a corresponding action plan to drive forward change.
Northumbria’s achievement of a Bronze award gives recognition to the University’s commitments to eliminate any racial inequalities and to develop an inclusive culture that values the entire University community.
Professor Tom Lawson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, and the Senior Sponsor for advancing Race Equality at Northumbria, said: "I want to express my thanks to everyone who supported the work on this application. The contributions from our colleagues and students have helped us to create an action plan to make real advances in race equality at Northumbria. We know that it will take time to make all of the changes we need, however this Bronze award recognises our commitment to ensuring our race equality aims are embedded throughout all that we do, and we will continue to work with all of our community to ensure they feel the positive impact of this.”
Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, added “When 51 became a Race Equality Charter member in 2020, it did so knowing that there was a significant distance to travel to become an organisation that could claim to be truly dedicated to race equality. Some of the insights shared by members of our community as part of our self-assessment do highlight uncomfortable truths and demonstrate the need for us to do things differently. Our action plan will guide our activities to remove barriers and to ensure that all colleagues and students can feel that they belong.”
