The university has launched new guidance designed to address stigma or discrimination on the basis of hair or head coverings.

We want everyone at the University of Nottingham to feel a sense of belonging by bringing their authentic selves to work, study, or when visiting. That is why, after a long period of consultation and close collaboration, we have produced a new guidance focused on addressing the long societal history of barriers, stigma, or discrimination on the basis of hair or head coverings.

Diversity of appearance may reflect religious or cultural norms, arise from a medical condition, or result from individual choices. It is important that we respect and celebrate this diversity.

The new guidance aims to increase awareness of the importance of hair and head coverings. This resource is here to assist you with practical advice on how to approach different situations.

It covers general good practice, information about health and safety and personal protective equipment, other considerations and examples of application..

This one-page guidance has been co-created with students and staff from the university following focus groups and a thorough consultation process, which has incorporated feedback from over 40 colleagues.

We particularly want to thank colleagues from our Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic staff network for their time, thoughts and constructive feedback.

The guidance is inspired by Crowns, a portrait exhibition which was first shown at Lakeside Arts, which celebrates natural hairstyles and head coverings.

Zakiya Nosakhere, Assistant Professor of Midwifery at the university, organised an event focused on the historical and cultural significance of Black people’s hair in October 2023. After reviewing the guidance, Zakiya said:

“The university’s hair and head covering guidance provides insight to those who are unsure about different hair types, styles and head coverings. This guidance celebrates and educates about the different hair types, styles and covering our students may have and lets them know that their sense of belonging matters.”

Karen Nemi, People and Culture Officer said:

“As someone who has personally never felt confident to wear my natural Afro hairstyle at work due to fear of stigma, discrimination and my hair touched without my consent, this guidance has helped me feel more psychologically safe at work. This guidance allows others to have a better understanding and awareness of how important my natural Afro is to my identity, which is also important to aid implementing good practice in all settings.”

The guidance can be found on the university’s Equality and Diversity Policy page.

We welcome feedback from all colleagues about this guidance. Any thoughts about the usefulness of the guidance, its content, or how it can be improved will be considered at the next review of the document.

If you have any feedback, please let us know your thoughts by filling in this short form.