Equality, diversity and inclusion

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In 2021, new Equality Outcomes along with a Mainstreaming Progress Report were published.  

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee brings student representatives, convenors of College and Professional Service Group EDI committees, and convenors of staff networks together with other stakeholders to develop strategy, approve and monitor action plans and identify priorities.

This year, two sub-committees have been set up including ‘Race Equality and Anti-Racism’ and ‘Gender Equality’. Their action plans guide much activity. The University has used the Genuine Occupational Requirement to recruit Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic counsellors to reflect student need.

Strategy and outcomes

Measuring pay gaps

The University published information on gender, ethnicity and disability pay gaps every two years to help monitor and assess its progress.

The most recent data highlights the average:

• gender pay gap of 16.2 per cent
• ethnicity pay gap of 7.1 per cent
• disability pay gap of 0.97 per cent.

An updated data set will be made available in the next academic year, with the aim of these gaps being further reduced.

Decolonisation

Many Schools have developed approaches to decolonise the curriculum and the University started a process of engagement and review of its historical links to the Atlantic slave trade, colonialism and their racial legacies today, with the steering group chaired by Sir Geoff Palmer.

The University strives to improve overall EDI literacy through the development of training and resources for staff and students. GenderED and RACE.ED are vibrant hubs for teaching, research and knowledge exchange with excellent events for the University and wider community.

Equality, diversity and inclusion during the pandemic

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the University has considered the differential impact on equality groups and sought to embed EDI throughout the process of adaptation and renewal.

Over 400 Equality Impact Assessments were conducted to ensure the consideration of EDI in safe working practices during the pandemic.

Recognising the unequal impacts of Covid-19, the University set ambitious gender and ethnicity targets for recruitment (50 per cent women and 20 per cent Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic fellows). Recruitment panels were supported by comprehensive equality guidance, and targets were met. Equality data continues to be published and utilised to evidence and assess progress and identify areas for action. 

Foundations for All

Edinburgh is part of an internationally collaborative programme, Foundations for All, which provides insights on how to effectively facilitate access to, and future success in, higher education for displaced and refugee young people in resource-poor environments through contextualised blended bridging programmes.

This action-based project researches and evaluates the implementation of a blended-learning ‘Foundations for All’ degree for refugee scholars. The one-year programme will be offered online, equipping refugee scholars who have had their education disrupted or are unable to provide documentation of their academic record, with skills and a qualification that will allow them to begin an undergraduate degree.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars

The University’s work with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars programme continues to provide full scholarships to the best students from across the African continent.

Through the last year, our partnership with the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa has been taking shape and generating a growing number of institution-wide research links, as University staff work closely with the group Africa Fellows to further develop joint learning and teaching links.

University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg

Expanding scholarships for South Asia

Work to increase scholarship provision in South Asia has generated success this year. In order to increase diversity as well as grow the funding allocation, the University has been developing relations with external partners such as the UK Government and British Council on campaigns such as GREAT to co-fund 25 new scholarships.

A new STEM scholarship for women is being offered at Edinburgh to students from South Asia. It is part of a wider programme by the British Council to increase opportunities in STEM for women.

Turing Scheme

To ensure that Edinburgh student mobility and student exchange continue post-Brexit and after the UK’s exit from Erasmus, the University submitted a bid to the Turing Scheme in March 2021 for a funding allocation to support our students for mobility and placements.

The first Turing funded placements began in September 2021.