Equality and diversity for academics

Equality and diversity are increasingly central considerations in all of the decisions we make and the actions we take as Loughborough University staff. The Equality Challenge Unit (which promotes equality and diversity across Higher Education) has created a specific set of resources for use by academic staff; this includes a briefing document regarding the legal context and a set of accessible checklists espousing effective practice in research, learning and teaching undertakings with our undergraduate and postgraduate students, their representatives and our colleagues:

• The legal framework: England, Wales – “domestic and European legislation relating to equality and human rights provides the context within which teaching and learning are delivered”
• Inclusive practice – “recognises the diversity of students, enabling all students to access course content, fully participate in learning activities and demonstrate their knowledge and strengths at assessment”
• Pastoral care – “Academic staff have a crucial role to play in providing pastoral support, being best placed to observe behaviour in the learning environment that might indicate a student is in need of support”
• Promoting good relations – “Academic staff have a role to play in promoting good relations in the design and delivery of courses, and in the relationships they build with students”

It is worth noting that these materials are eminently transferable to other roles within this institution and across our sector, and that equality and diversity undertakings and obligations are not just limited to academic staff.

In addition to the Designing for Inclusivity Staff Development session delivered in conjunction with the Teaching Centre, colleagues will also be interested in other Staff Development courses in this area which include the online Diversity in the Workplace activity, which is a very useful refresher course, as well as the mandatory Respecting Diversity workshop for all staff.