Equality Impact Assessments
As an institution, one of Loughborough University’s strategic aims is to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organisation. Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) are a key tool in supporting this aim and in embedding equality, diversity and inclusion into decision-making across the University.
An EIA helps ensure that our policies, procedures, practices, services and functions operate as intended and are fair, inclusive and accessible to staff, students, visitors and other stakeholders. EIAs also provide a clear and transparent audit trail demonstrating that the University has given due regard to its legal obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), as set out in the Equality Act 2010.
EIAs should be understood as a form of quality assurance and continuous improvement. They support better decision-making by encouraging early consideration of potential impacts, helping to identify risks, and ensuring that equality considerations are integral to the development, implementation and review of policies and practices. In addition to meeting our legal duties, there is a strong business case for EIAs, as inclusive policies and practices contribute to a positive student experience, an inclusive workplace culture, and improved outcomes for the whole University community.
Importantly, EIAs enable the University to identify opportunities to actively promote equality, diversity and inclusion, including addressing underrepresentation, removing barriers to participation, and fostering good relations. They also support the identification of potential negative or unintended impacts, allowing these to be avoided, removed or mitigated wherever possible.
EIAs are not a one-off or tick-box exercise. They are a proportionate, evidence-based and ongoing process that should be revisited as policies, practices or contexts change, and reviewed in line with scheduled policy review dates.