Race Equality Charter
The Race Equality Charter (REC) is a national initiative run by sector body, Advance HE. It aims to improve the representation, progression and success of all minority ethnic staff and students within higher education and address issues of racism within higher education institutions. Loughborough University was awarded the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award in May 2022. We have committed to re-new our award in 2027.
Key imperatives
- Whilst race equity is the responsibility of all members of University leadership and staff, the lack of racialised minority group staff on the senior leadership and amongst higher grades across the University is problematic and there are both moral and business imperatives that mean this must change.
- There is an identified need to educate, to change hearts and minds and ultimately, we need to see culture change across the organisation.
- Whilst our staff profile has seen increasing numbers of staff from racially minoritised groups, we still see significant underrepresentation of Black staff.
- Data regarding race and racial inequality and inequity comes under significant, and at times excessively inappropriate scrutiny, with defensiveness in response to data being a frequent response.
- Despite recent work there remains a lack of trust regarding the raising of racist incidents and how the University responds to such incidents. This leads to underreporting and ultimately places staff and students in positions where they are experiencing harm without support and remedy. This frustrates the identification of the root causes of harm.
- Data shows racial inequality and inequity throughout the student journey. Work is necessary to address racial equity and to unpick processes that underpin the academic experience.
- Student focus groups have highlighted poor experiences for Black PGR students with reports of not feeling part of the academic community.
Implementation of the REC Action Plan
Based on qualitative and quantitative evidence, the action plan focuses on eliminating racist harm, sharing knowledge, greater transparency, and upskilling the whole organisation in order to ensure that every member of the University community feels safe, welcome and has a sense of belonging.
EDI Services has various mechanisms in place to support the implementation of the REC action plan, and to monitor progress and impact of related activity. The EDI Officer – Race, Religion & International provides updates to senior leadership by meeting quarterly with the Chief Operating Officer and attending University Leadership Group on a termly basis.
REC Clinics take place twice a year. REC action owners and action implementers can contact the EDI Officer – Race, Religion & International at any time to for support with their actions EDI@lboro.ac.uk