About REACH
The Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage (REACH) Network is the re-named Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Staff Network. The Loughborough University BAME Network was re-launched in 2018 according to the values, principles and purpose in our Terms of Reference. It offers safer spaces for BAME colleagues to interact socially, intellectually, and more importantly, raise our voices, introduce innovative ideas, and collectively advance race equality within the university. We offer an understanding, supportive and encouraging community for racialised minority staff and doctoral researchers, and has been a vital force in developing and advancing the university’s anti-racist agenda.
Why REACH?
BAME is an umbrella term used in policymaking to lump a hugely diverse set of non-white people together. It is most helpful when talking about and trying to address the underrepresentation, discrimination and inequality experienced by people from racialized minority groups in the UK context, where white British people tend to be privileged. However, the term ‘BAME’ does not accurately reflect how people understand themselves; most people would not identify or refer to themselves as BAME, and would instead mention their specific race, nationality, or ethnic identity. For this reason, the term has fallen out of favour with some members of communities under the BAME heading.
In Summer 2023, Network members voted to change the name of the network to REACH. This step was taken in response to our membership raising the issue, potential alternatives, and voting twice since 2020. The first time the issue was raised (2020), the result was a change from ‘BME’ to ‘BAME’. The second time (2023), REACH was the winning name.
The Network recognises that language and terminology regarding race is both important and dynamic, but also that challenging racism goes far beyond using the right words. The term BAME, while imperfect, has its strengths; for example, it is widely understood in the British context, and is useful in identifying differences in outcomes between white and non-white staff and students. As such, it may need to be retained for some purposes.
While our name change reflects the shifting preferences of our members, we believe it is not the responsibility of a Staff Network to definitively determine the direction of travel of the language used by the University in regards to race, although we do wish to continue to be included as part of the conversation. Instead, we hope the Staff Network can continue to prioritise addressing its members’ work-related needs as well as collaboratively generating ideas, input and initiatives to help improve outcomes for BAME staff, doctoral researchers, and students.
Safety and confidentiality
We prioritise members’ safety and recognise that not every member would want others in the University to know that they belong to our Network. We therefore make choices to ensure membership can be confidential if specific members wish. This means we do not share membership lists as a matter of course, and we operate using an email listserve that does not reveal member identities unless a member writes to the whole list. We have for this reason chosen not to have a Teams group as member identities would be revealed there.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the REACH Network for?
The REACH Network is open to any Loughborough University staff member or doctoral researcher who identifies as Black, Asian, or from a racialised minority in the context of the United Kingdom, including people of mixed race or multiple heritages. While this could apply to people with a wide range of backgrounds and appearances, the common ground for our network is likely to be direct or first-hand experiences of exclusion, discrimination, or inequality on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, or assumptions about these based on appearance, language, religious or cultural practices. We count many international staff amongst our membership.
What does the REACH Network do?
The REACH Network is a staff-ledproject aimed at making the University a more culturally inclusive and anti-racist institution. We do this through our three action areas:
- Advocacy - To collectively hold the University accountable to its stated commitment to challenge racism and discrimination whenever identified.
- Celebration - Actively recognise the range of cultures across campus through social events; highlight the achievements of BAME staff
- Wellbeing and Professional Development - Provide a range of informal and formal opportunities for BAME colleagues to identify, address and achieve their wellbeing and career needs and goals.
Leadership of the Network is guided by co-chairs who facilitate communication and outreach, and a small group of Network leads who meet weekly.
As part of our Advocacy strand, the Network is continually engaged with University leaders, governance processes, and external partners to advance race equity at the institution. Current info on the Race Equality Charter mark, external partnerships, and more can be found on the Race Equity page of the equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) webpages.
Why do we need a REACH Network?
British universities are, like many institutions, structured by white supremacy and institutional racism, such that BAME people are often marginalised and discriminated against in both overt and subtle ways, which leads to unequal outcomes on the basis of race. This is compounded by the intersectionality of race with other issues, such as gender, religion, class, and dis/ability.
Members of REACH are likely to have experienced racial exclusion or discrimination on the basis of appearance, ethnicity, or national origin, either in their personal or professional lives, or both. We need a REACH Network to provide a supportive space for members to connect with others who believe, affirm and understand these experiences and are working to address them within the University environment. These activities aim to generate better outcomes for BAME staff and doctoral researchers and thus a better experience of the University for all.
What can REACH do for me?
As a member of REACH, you will be kept informed of ongoing activities related to our three priorities of Advocacy, Celebration and Well-being and Professional Development. We offer online ‘coffee breaks’ where members can meet virtually to connect and share experiences as well as raise issues and propose ideas. We meet as a network about once a quarter to discuss issues and gather input, and host a full calendar of Celebrations events annually (Diwali, Christmas, Lunar New Year, Eid, African-Caribbean) to amplify the rich and diverse cultural heritages of ourNetwork and share them with the wider Loughborough and Loughborough London communities.
Network leads also offer informal support and guidance for members experiencing or witnessing racism at the University, and can help advise and support people going through formal processes such as disciplinaries and grievances, from an anti-racist perspective.
What can I do for REACH?
REACH Network would benefit from leadership and participation of members in all areas of activity. Your help is needed in organising and delivering events, maintaining and updating the website and internal communications, and managing Network resources. REACH is always open to the ideas and initiatives of its members. Please sign up on our mailing list for more information.
How is REACH supported by the University?
The University has a number of staff networks aimed at creating a more equitable and diverse community, of which REACH is one. To support REACH, the University acknowledges that equity, diversity and inclusion work is not voluntary, and should be enabled by line managers. REACH Activities benefit from a Network budget from EDI Services as well as specific funds for carrying out race equity work that makes progress against our commitments to the Race Equality Charter, for which the University has a Bronze Award.
Is it safe for me to join the REACH Network?
We prioritise members’ safety and recognise that not every member would want others in the University to know that they belong to our Network. We therefore make choices to ensure membership can be as confidential as possible if specific members wish. This means we do not share membership lists as a matter of course. We operate using a JISC mail email list that does not reveal member identities unless a member writes to the whole list, and you can choose to have your university email or personal email on the list. We also do not currently operate a MS Teams group as member identities would be revealed there.
That said, being a part of REACH holds the potential to increase our members’ access to safer spaces and confidential support, especially for issues of racial discrimination that may be encountered at work. To access this support, simply get in touch with Network leads when you are experiencing issues, and they will treat your case confidentially and help you to identify and explore your options.
I am a doctoral researcher from a racialized minority background, why might I want to join REACH?
REACH recognises that many BAME PGRs may not have access to safer spaces where they can fully express themselves. To address this, the Ethnic Minorities Doctoral Research Community is available to meet like-minded PGRs and empower change through DR-led projects. However, BAME members of staff within the institution are also key to empowering DRs and are a potential source of support, advice, role modelling and inspiration for initiatives. REACH members can offer a source of guidance on how to navigate academia as a person from a BAME background, enabling you to gain a deeper knowledge of how the sector works beyond your doctoral studies. There are also leadership opportunities and access to funding as a member of the network, through applying for funding for BAME community building and other race equity related projects. Developing and participating in projects, building connections and a fuller understanding of racialised career experiences as a member of REACH can offer a set of empowering experiences that can help to prepare you for your future within academia or industry.