Race equality sits at the core of the University of Aberdeen. We are proud to be one of the 62 UK members (5 in Scotland) of the Advance HE's Race Equality Charter (REC) which provides a framework through which institutions work to identify and challenge barriers to recruitment, progression and retention of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff and students.
REC grants Bronze, Silver and Gold awards to institutions who can demonstrate commitment to the Charter by embedding the five guiding principles. For further information on these, please visit the Race Equality Charter website.
The work on REC and the institutional action plan to address racial inequalities at the University will be coordinated by a Self-Assessment Team (SAT) chaired by Professor Ruth Taylor, Vice-Principal Education, and Professor Siladitya Bhattacharya, Head of the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition.
The work of the SAT will include:
- analysis of qualitative and quantitative data covering student representation, progression, degree attainment and post-graduate employment, as well as staff representation and progression
- review of the impact of our institutional policies and practices on race equality
- consultation with staff and students through surveys, focus groups and interviews to understand the lived experience of minority ethnic staff and students,
- and the development of an evidence-based and comprehensive action plan to advancing race equality in our institution.
Currently, we are delighted to be participating in a Scottish Parliament inquiry into the employment experiences of women employed in Scotland who identify as Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic and are aged 16 -30 years old.
If you would like to add your voice to this research on a confidential basis please follow this link by 10 July. The recommendations resulting from this national research will be available and shared in due course.
If you are interested to find out more about the Race Equality Charter or wish to get involved, please contact Dr Maria-Grazia Cascio, Institutional Race Equality Coordinator, by email.