Manchester hosts National Network of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

09 Jul 2018

Deputy Provosts and Vice Chancellors visit the National Network of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion held at the University

Dr Dawn Edge, Academic Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), has hosted a meeting of the UK’s network for EDI leads.  In the second meeting of the network, 15 Deputy Provosts and Vice Chancellors gathered at the University to explore and share ideas about advancing EDI in Higher Education Institutions.

The purpose of the network is to adopt a solutions-focused approach to tackling long-standing issues such as the inequalities experienced by people with protected characteristics under the Equality Act, 2010.

“Although Athena SWAN has enabled a good deal of progress in the area of gender equality, there remains significant work to be done in other areas” said Dr Edge, who chaired the meeting.

Dawn added, “Members have a wealth of experience and expertise and the network has tremendous potential to strategically influence the future direction of EDI across the UK.

“We shall work collaboratively with national bodies such as Advance HE (for example, to progress work around equality Charter Marks) and the Office for Students (OfS) to improve experience and outcomes for all students.

“As UK HEIs increasingly establish international campuses, there is also a need to ensure we fulfil our Public Sector Equality Duty to our students, staff and partners. With the University’s clear focus on Social Responsibility, together with our research and sector-leading work in areas such as widening participation, we are ideally placed to influence the EDI agenda and make a real difference.”