University recognised for its commitment to advancing race equality

The University of Leicester has been recognised for its commitment to advancing race equality.  

The institution has been awarded a Race Equality Charter (REC) Bronze Award, 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 used this self-assessment to develop a five year plan that details how it will address and remove these barriers, and progress race equality.

The award was granted by Advance HE, which works to support equality, diversity and inclusion for staff and students in universities and colleges.

Vidya Kumar, who is Chair of the University’s Race Equality Action Group, said: “The bronze award of the REC Charter allows us to continue working towards the pursuit of racial equality at the University of Leicester and to make the changes we need to make in order to combat systemic and institutional racism. This is not the end of the process but the beginning. The award is a step in the right direction.”

She added: “Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) students and staff are counting on the University to guarantee equality for all by pursuing and fulfilling the REC Charter’s aims and objectives and by becoming an anti-racist University, which involves recognising intersectional forms of injustice.”

Some of the initiatives the University has already put in place to progress race equality include: 

• dedicated scholarships for minority ethnic students, including at Postgraduate Research level
• the development of an institutional access and participation plan that has race equality at its heart
• a comprehensive, external Advance HE-led assessment of our recruitment processes and aligned inclusive recruitment toolkit
• a racially inclusive curricula toolkit for academics.

Emma Stevens, the University’s Director of Human Resources, said: “I am delighted that the University’s work to set sound foundations in place to advance race equality has been recognised with the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award.

“However, we recognise there is more to be done, and we 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. 

“We remain committed to becoming a truly inclusive university and will ensure that the delivery of our REC action plan remains a priority going forwards.”