The University of Nottingham is dedicated to improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education. As part of this goal, the University aims to achieve an ECU Race Equality Charter Bronze Award by 2020.

In order to successfully make an impact for BME staff and students, we need a committed group of individuals representing a broad range of areas to do this work. As a result, we are delighted to offer you the opportunity to join the institutional race equality self-assessment team through one of the following roles:

• Operations and Facilities (O&F) representative
• Administrative, Professional & Managerial (APM) representative
• Technical Services (TS) representative
• Research and Teaching (R&T) representative
• Postgraduate student representative

The Equality Challenge Unit (ECU)’s Race Equality Charter is underpinned by five guiding principles:

1. Racial inequalities are a significant issue within higher education. Racial inequalities are not necessarily overt, isolated incidents. Racism is an everyday facet of UK society and racial inequalities manifest themselves in everyday situations, processes and behaviours.
2. UK higher education cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of the whole population and until individuals from all ethnic backgrounds can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords.
3. In developing solutions to racial inequalities, it is important that they are aimed at achieving long-term institutional culture change, avoiding a deficit model where solutions are aimed at changing the individual.
4. Minority ethnic staff and students are not a homogenous group. People from different ethnic backgrounds have different experiences of and outcomes from/within higher education, and that complexity needs to be considered in analysing data and developing actions.
5. All individuals have multiple identities, and the intersection of those different identities should be considered wherever possible.

To give adequate time for consideration of these complex challenges, participation in the institutional self-assessment team is likely to require 0.05FTE in addition to attendance at quarterly SAT meetings. In return, colleagues will be part of positive culture change at the University and have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership and citizenship skills.

We are particularly keen to hear from black and ethnic staff and students who would be able to share their experiences at the University.

To nominate yourself, or to discuss the roles further in confidence, please email Justine Wallis-Leggett. The deadline for expressions of interest is Monday 14 May.