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Race Equality Action Plan

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Race Equality Action Plan Action plan The University of Birmingham’s Race Equality Action Plan (2019) has been shaped by the views and involvement from over 5,000 staff and students who took part in our campus‐wide consultation in late 2018 to early 2019. This has generated the biggest ever conversation about race on campus. We welcome the opportunity to plan and set targets against these ambitious and outcomes‐based actions for the next three years. As we submit this plan for the application for a Bronze award, various departments are already realising their early actions to create an institutional momentum for long term cultural change on race inclusion. We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive learning and working environment, where equality is promoted, diversity is valued, and discriminatory behaviour is not tolerated. “The University promotes equal opportunities and shall exercise no discrimination on the grounds of political opinion, age, colour, disability, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, race, religion or sexual orientation in the admission of students, or the appointment or promotion of staff or the awarding of any Degree, Diploma or Certificate, or generally, in the execution of any of its Objects as laid down by the Charter.” Article 12, University of Birmingham Charter 1 Governance: Ensuring accountability for and delivery of the Race Equality Action Plan Rationale: Reflection on the self‐assessment process highlighted both the importance and complexity of embedding race equality work into the culture and workings of the institution. Our implementation structure aims to integrate REC as a strategic priority and ensure our senior managers have direct ownership of the action plan. Ref Objective and Rationale Action Timeframe A success measure Lead responsibility Nb. Actions are inclusive year 2020 ‐ 2023 1.1 We have a robust, sustainable a) The Provost will Ongoing Number of REC initiatives endorsed by the Provost structure to drive the delivery continue to be the Provost of our REC action plan senior management sponsor for the REC b) A REC Implementation Termly, beginning Membership and terms of reference are agreed Provost and DPVC Group, co‐chaired by Summer 2020 and Termly meetings take place EDI the Provost and the then for the life cycle Timely progress against action plan timeframes DPVC EDI, and with key of the action plan is demonstrated action owners as members, will oversee delivery of the REC action plan c) The Equality Executive Termly, beginning Equality Executive Group terms of reference are DPVC EDI (as Chair of Group receives termly Summer 2020 amended to include oversight of the REC Equality Executive reports from the REC Equality Executive Group receives termly Group) Implementation Group reports on progress against the action plan on progress against the Progress against the REC action plan is REC action plan embedded in Equality Executive Group reports to University Executive Board and University Council d) A REC progress Annually, beginning Senior Management are engaged with and have DPVC EDI summary will be autumn 2020 accountability for delivery of the REC action plan submitted by the Equality Executive Group to University Executive Board and the Council as part of the University’s annual equality assurance. e) Convene a new REC 2023 Race Equality charter is established as a process Equality Executive Self‐Assessment Team of continuous improvement Group to prepare for Charter Composition of the SAT is broad based including renewal a range of different roles (including ECRs) and ethnicities. All SAT members have workload acknowledged either through workload model, or for Professional Services, negotiation with line manager 1.2 REC objectives and actions are a) Equality and Diversity 2020 ‐ 2023 Framework consultations include engagement Provost embedded in relevant will be reflected in the on EDI issues institutional strategic University’s new The Strategic Framework clearly articulates frameworks Strategic Framework institutional engagement with and commitment 2026. to EDI b) UoB Equality Scheme 2020 – 2023 Equality Scheme and REC action plan are aligned DPVC EDI (2021‐2025) will be and mutually support the delivery of the aligned with the institution’s race equality objectives University’s Strategic Framework and be aligned with the delivery of REC actions c) REC actions are 2019 ‐ 2023 The Access and Participation Plan and REC PVC Education embedded in the UoB action plan are aligned and mutually support the Access and Participation delivery of the institution’s race equality Plan 2020/21 to objectives 2024/25 d) Common issues and 2020‐2023 Proposed changes to improve gender and ethnic DPVC EDI projects in the REC and diversity in processes such as recruitment and Athena action plans are promotions are taken forward in tandem identified and taken forward as joint projects 1.3 REC objectives and actions are a) College objectives have 2020 – 2023 College REC actions are delivered against Heads of College embedded in the activities of been established and timescales Academic Colleges and key are detailed in section 6 Professional Services divisions and their progress monitored 1.4 Staff and students consider a) Run a second REC 2022 ‐ 2023 Staff Survey response rate increases from% 24 Equality and Diversity that the University is taking survey and promote via to at least 50% (in line with other staff Advisers – Staff & delivery of the REC action plan multiple methods to satisfaction surveys student seriously encourage staff and Annually Student responses increase from benchmark students to engage with figure of 2619 the survey b) BAME Staff Network are 2020 onwards BAME Staff Network committee engage with DPVC EDI represented on the REC senior officers on race equality issues Implementation Group 2 Facilitating culture change and progressing conversations around race equality Rationale: Interactions and dialogue are key for fostering good relations between people of different ethnicities. Therefore, we will create more opportunities to empower individuals to have constructive conversations about race equality and to challenge inequalities with confidence. 2.1 Enhance the visibility of BAME a) EDI is built into the 2020‐2023 EDI is an integrated part of project planning and Head of Research cultural identities on campus. briefing for all delivery and Cultural exhibitions and public Positive feedback from staff and student focus Collections Rationale ‐ The staff and programmes on campus groups / surveys on cultural diversity on campus student surveys and focus and a work programme groups showed that many staff developed to embed and students find our campus EDI in the University’s unwelcoming or un‐inclusive of cultural offerings BAME cultural identities. We need to find ways of balancing b) Develop a permanent 2020‐2021 Consultation workshops with Staff Network and Head of Outreach, the historical legacy of our resource for The Barber Student Groups Barber Institute campus buildings and Art Gallery which uses Resource launched collections with reflecting our the collection to ambition to be a diverse and explore themes of inclusive community whiteness and privilege c) Develop an expanded 2020‐2023 Dissemination of the University’s Black History Equality and Diversity range of centrally and Month programme to all staff and students team, relevant leads locally organised events At least 30% of events to include content about from Colleges and (BAME specific and race equality issues. Professional Services, intersectionality focus) Each UEB member commits to attending a Black staff networks in collaboration with History Month event community partners for History Months and other cultural/diversity days. e.g. Community Iftar on campus d) Develop a staff 2022 Campaign is inclusive of different ethnicities and External Relations campaign to celebrate other protected characteristics the diversity of our front line staff e) Develop a Who We Are 2022 Who we are infographic is produced and Student EDI Adviser infographic which gives promoted as a training aid an overview of the student body by protected characteristic f) Campus Services’ 2020‐2023 Positive feedback from staff and student focus Director of Catering catering outlets groups / surveys on cultural diversity on campus introduce a wider and long‐term selection of world foods on campus in recognition of different cultural/dietary requirements 2.2 Increase racial literacy and a) Disseminate the 2019 – 2020 Positive post workshop/training feedback from Equality and Diversity confidence of staff and “Talking Confidently senior managers, lecturers, and graduate Adviser for Staff students and embed inclusive about Race” workshop teaching assistants (Engagement) practices in the delivery of through the five teaching Colleges (see College action plans, section 6) Rationale ‐ feedback from staff b) Commission brap 2019‐2021 Confirmed wider deliveries after the trial Equality and Diversity and students suggests that (Birmingham based sessions with Student Conduct, Higher Adviser for Students people do not engage in equality NGO), to co‐ Education Futures institute (HEFi), and discussions about race for fear develop ‘Race Ahead’ Birmingham International Academy of causing offence, or saying the training in conjunction Staff are aware of the impact of and have wrong thing. We need to give with our BAME increased confidence in addressing issues of people more knowledge of race students, to be racial inequality
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