The Race Equality Charter Survey – the University’s largest-ever survey into racial equality on campus – took place throughout May. More than 2,400 staff and students across our UK campuses completed the survey – thanks to everyone that took part.

The University is set to apply for Race Equality Charter bronze status in summer 2020. Data from the survey is a key part of the application process.

The Race Equality Charter gives us a framework in which to identify, explore and address issues affecting the representation, progression and success of BME (black and minority ethnic) students and staff at the University. Bronze status recognises the work the institution is doing to create “a solid foundation for eliminating racial inequalities and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff and students. A Bronze award acknowledges commitment and preparation to act.”

Responses to the survey will be used alongside other University data relating to race – including recruitment, appraisal and attainment data – to create an institutional action plan. The actions will be designed to address specific issues facing BME staff and students at Nottingham, as well as those prevalent across the higher education sector.

A report sharing the main themes highlighted in the survey, along with next steps, will be published in December.

Professor Sarah Sharples, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and co-chair of the Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team, said:

“Thank you to everyone that took part in this survey. By listening to staff and students and beginning to understand the concerns and issues they face, we can make a plan that focuses our action on our community – with the aim of making a real difference to the working environment of our staff and students.

“The actions in the plan will be regularly reviewed to ensure that we’re focusing effort in the right areas. We need staff and student volunteers to take part in focus groups which will take the themes that emerge from the REC survey and explore them further – please let us know if you’d like to be involved.”

“One of my ambitions for the Race Equality Charter self-assessment process is to give staff and students of all ethnicities the opportunity to be involved in this mission critical work. The great response we have had to the survey has got us off to a flying start on achieving that ambition,” added Stacy Johnson, Associate Professor, School of Health Sciences, co-chair of the Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team.

“Thank you to all that completed the survey. There will be many other opportunities for staff and students to contribute to and benefit from this work.”
Focus groups are expected to take place in September for staff participants, and in October for students. To express an interest in taking part in a focus group email rec@nottingham.ac.uk.

For more information on the Race Equality Charter Survey at the University visit our webpages.