Diversity and inclusion work

How can higher education better support diverse students and staff to fulfil their potential? Find advice on university diversity and inclusion policies and actions that open pathways into higher education to non-traditional students and support student success for diverse cohorts by building inclusive institutions. Plus, learn how to achieve greater diversity at every level of academia and make everyone feel they belong.

Primary school children with raised hands

Raising aspirations: lessons in running a young scholars programme

Widening access to higher education for children from disadvantaged backgrounds is a priority for UK universities. Here, Valsa Koshy outlines lessons from a successful programme for primary school pupils

Valsa Koshy

Brunel University London

A black student raising their hand in class.

Ten actions lecturers can take to boost black students’ belonging

A 10-step guide to how lecturers can improve the experience of black students studying in predominantly white institutions

Patrice Seuwou

University of Northampton

two young women walk up a rainbow-coloured footpath

Supporting LGBTQ+ aspiring leaders in universities

LGBTQ+ staff bring to campus qualities such as courage and sensitivity that are key to leadership. Now a UK programme aims to develop those strengths in future academic and professional services leaders

Catherine Lee, Daniel Burman

Anglia Ruskin University

Welcome sign for belonging at university

How to advance equitable learning in your classes

We must extend belonging to help students feel they’re cut out for college, lower barriers such as impostor syndrome and ultimately support learning, says Flower Darby

Flower Darby

University of Missouri

Rainbow flag outside Cambridge University for LGBT History Month

How LGBTQ leaders navigate a predominantly non-LGBTQ world

Looking at LGBTQ leadership style as a reaction to the power structures that dominate our culture is essential to finding a common thread through a diverse community, writes Karen Whitney

Karen Whitney

Clarion University

Is your university taking diversity seriously?

How to tell if your university is making a genuine effort to increase diversity

There is zero doubt that bias pervades the HE system. Universities need to show they are taking it as seriously as they take publication and other key performance areas

Keon West

Goldsmiths, University of London

Foundation students moving on up at university

It’s time to end the negative narratives surrounding foundation students

Foundation students are often seen as somehow lacking, but we can challenge the stereotypes around their knowledge and backgrounds to force positive change

Christina Delistathi

University of Westminster

Primary sources as a tool for greater diversity

Primary sources can be used to diversify curricula and bring in marginalised voices. Jade G. Winn and Michaela Ullmann explain what library teams can do to support faculty and students in finding and assessing diverse materials

Jade G. Winn , Michaela Ullmann

University of Southern California

Illustration showing profiles in different pastel colours

Intersectionality is the only way to nurture academics of colour

Finding the blind spots in EDI efforts will more effectively support academics sitting at the intersection of minority identities. Here are three places to start

Wajeeha Aziz , Raheela Awais, Melody Obeng , Ellie Harrison

University of Sussex, University of Liverpool, University of Sheffield

Woman greets young man with a hand on his shoulder

With an ‘epidemic’ of poor mental health, what can universities do to help?

Practical guidance for universities on how they can support the growing number of staff experiencing challenges relating to mental health and well-being

Meredith Wilkinson

De Montfort University

How to decolonise initial teacher education: start with yourself

Decolonisation has the potential to rattle higher education’s sandstones and ivory towers, yet many struggle to know where to start. Karen Lambert and lisahunter use the context of initial teacher education in Australia to explain that it starts with you

Karen Lambert, lisahunter

Monash University

A group of university staff in discussions

Action to improve diversity and inclusion for Black students and staff

Where should action to improve equity, diversity and inclusion within universities be focused in order to have a tangible impact? Christina Dzineku and Patrice Sewou explain

Christina Dzineku, Patrice Seuwou

Leeds Trinity University, University of Northampton

How can universities ensure all new students feel welcome?

Nikki Anghileri and Elizabeth Parker share practical tips on executing an impactful and memorable welcome transition programme for new students from diverse backgrounds

Nikki Anghileri, Elizabeth Parker

St Mary’s University Twickenham

Community outreach like the Great Science Share for Schools requires listening

Flip the script: why listening is the best form of outreach

In aiming to widen participation, it’s easy to get lost in your own passion. Instead focus on understanding others’ needs – and keep it simple

Lynne Bianchi

The University of Manchester

Universities must bridge the gap between diversity and belonging

Universities must do better at bridging the gap between diversity and belonging

Lillian Nave outlines the three key interventions required for universities to help diverse students learn about, accept and participate in each other’s worlds

Lillian Nave

Appalachian State University

Digital exclusion often strikes early for university students

Digital exclusion hits students hardest at the start of their journey

VLEs, intranets, sports and social apps – the digital ecosystem at university is vast. We must induct students into it quickly and carefully to prevent them falling behind

Claire Smith

University of Sussex

Kendrick Lamar's lyrics contain EDI lessons for higher education

Why higher education should take an EDI lesson from Kendrick Lamar

The Pulitzer-winning rapper’s disdain for performative activism contains lessons for universities who espouse their good intentions rather than enact change

J. T. Torres

Quinnipiac University

Universities have a critical role to play in the preservation of Indigenous languages and culture

Higher education has a crucial role to play in reaching out to Indigenous communities

Indigenous researcher Roselind Wan outlines strategies for universities hoping to champion Indigenous languages and inclusion

Roselind Wan

Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)

How universities can ensure first-generation students and their families feel connected

How universities can ensure first-generation students and their families feel connected

A first-generation college student herself now working in enrolment, Aimee Huffstetler, shares insight into what administrators can do to ensure first-generation students and their families feel connected to their university

Aimee Huffstetler

Gwynedd Mercy University

A group of diverse and happy looking students

A checklist for making disability inclusion a reality in higher education

Actions that universities must take to promote equal access and opportunity for disabled students in higher education, based on a research-backed framework developed by Carol Evans and Xiaotong Zhu

Carol Evans, Xiaotong Zhu

Cardiff University, University of Southampton, University of Lincoln

Is it possible to decolonise the business curriculum?

Untangling business studies from the discipline’s imperial origins might seem an insurmountable task, but it’s up to university leaders to take the lead on this complex challenge, reflects Bobby Banerjee

Bobby Banerjee

City, University of London

A formula one team represents university collaboration to support refugee students

Simple ways universities can collaborate to bring more refugees into higher education

There’s strength in numbers when it comes to meeting the unique learning and support needs of refugee students

Rebecca Granato

Bard College

Diversity statements in higher education can embed inequality more deeply

Embedding equality, diversity and inclusion within public policy training for academics

Steps higher education institutions can take to make their policy engagement training programmes as diverse and inclusive as possible, based on the experience of a UK university

Audrey Tan

UCL

Mature students and other non-traditional students are often overlooked by university recruitment teams

How to attract and support non-traditional students in higher education

Hurdles and obstacles are created from the outset and then vice-chancellors wonder why their student population is not diverse, says Dilshad Sheikh

Dilshad Sheikh

Arden University

Diversity statements in higher education can embed inequality more deeply

Diversity statements: the good, the bad and the ugly

Diversity statements can be created with good intentions but still manage to perpetuate inequality. Henrika McCoy and Madeline Lee detail what to look out for and suggested action

Henrika McCoy, Madeline Lee

University of Illinois Chicago, California State University San Marcos

Group of people of various ages and nationalities lean in together

Belonging: why it is the next step on the equity, diversity and inclusion ladder

Belonging feels good, improves student retention rates and supports other EDI efforts. Joanna West offers six ways campuses can foster this intangible essential

Joanna West

University of Luxembourg

How to write a diversity statement

What should you put in a diversity statement? In this video, Pardis Mahdavi gives examples of what to include and how candidates for academic jobs and search committees can use the document to reflect on EDI actions, impact and goals

Pardis Mahdavi

Arizona State University

How universities can advance social justice within and beyond their campus walls

Social justice in, through and beyond higher education

Higher education institutions can work individually and together to advance social justice well beyond their campus walls, as Pardis Mahdavi explains

Pardis Mahdavi

Arizona State University

Equity, diversity and inclusion work: Advice on sparking renewed enthusiasm among faculty and university staff

Rekindling passion for equality, diversity and inclusion work

Equality, diversity and inclusion work is too often dogged by scepticism and dismissed as a tick-box exercise. So how can institutional leaders rekindle enthusiasm and belief in the work? Rajani Naidoo shares her top recommendations

Rajani Naidoo

University of Bath

Empty lectern illustrating opinion article about lack of university leadership with visible or stated disability

Where are the leaders with a disability in higher education?

While support is available for people with a disability in universities, this is not translating to senior leadership positions – to the detriment of individuals and the sector as a whole, say Paul Harpur and Brooke Szücs

Paul Harpur, Brooke Szücs

The University of Queensland

The way university teachers and lecturers speak to first-generation students can make a huge difference to how they get on in higher education

Gatekeepers or greeters? We must demystify university for first-gen students

Stone Meredith gives advice on using positive introductory phrases and how this can help first-generation students navigate university

Stone Meredith

Colorado State University Global

With the right kind of support, university students with mental disabilities can thrive both on campus and in the workplace

We can help students with intellectual disabilities shatter glass ceilings

With the right approach and a strong institutional commitment, students with intellectual disabilities can thrive at university and in the workplace

Meg Grigal, Ann Werbach

University of Massachusetts Boston, InsideTrack

Advice on purposefully creating a sense of belonging among black students in majority white universities

How to create a sense of belonging for black students in a majority white academy

Taking active, practical and nuanced approaches to ensuring the belonging of black students in majority white universities, at a micro and macro level, is everyone’s responsibility, explains Edith Lewis

Edith Lewis

Canterbury Christ Church University

It is incumbent upon university leaders to create diverse and inclusive communities and curricula

Breaking the oldest rules in the book: making promotion and tenure more equitable

Pardis Mahdavi and Scott Brooks explain how a rethink of the processes that govern promotion and tenure to put diversity work at its heart could result in a more equitable higher education system

Pardis Mahdavi, Scott Brooks

Arizona State University

Podcast discussing building resilience and protecting well-being among university staff and students

Campus talks: behind two of our most-read resources on diversity statements and student well-being

We speak to the authors behind two of the most popular resources of 2021, focused on drafting diversity statements and teaching practices that support student well-being, to find out what shaped their advice

Pardis Mahdavi, Scott Brooks, Elena Riva

Arizona State University, The University of Warwick

Hands locked in a circle illustrating race equality curriculum

Building an inclusive learning community to deliver a race equality curriculum

Ricardo Barker and Syra Shakir reflect on how to set up a curriculum that engages everybody in conversations about race equality

Ricardo Barker , Syra Shakir

Leeds Trinity University

Advice on shaping community outreach in order to improve educational outcomes for local communities

Changing lives through community engagement and outreach

Josephine Bleach outlines questions that higher education institutions should ask to help them foster authentic community engagement that improves educational outcomes for children, families and communities

Josephine Bleach

National College of Ireland

It is incumbent upon university leaders to create diverse and inclusive communities and curricula

Fellow vice-chancellors, we must lead the charge on equality

It’s incumbent on us all to ensure our universities offer inclusive and diverse settings in which anyone, regardless of their background, can flourish, says Craig Mahoney

Craig Mahoney

University of the West of Scotland

University leaders must build trust and create community

Leaders: how to build community and trust during a crisis

Charles Egbu, vice-chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, reflects on five key lessons he learned while taking the helm during the pandemic

Charles Egbu

Leeds Trinity University

Advice on bringing international and intercultural dimensions into your curricula

Bringing international and intercultural dimensions into your programmes

Jeanine Gregersen-Hermans and Karen M. Lauridsen address how educators may create an internationalised learning experience for all students by including global and intercultural dimensions in curriculum design and delivery

Jeanine Gregersen-Hermans, Karen M. Lauridsen

Zuyd University, Aarhus University, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Selection criteria in academia often creates invisible barriers for underrepresented groups

We must dismantle the invisible career barriers in HE

Despite surface appearances, universities’ recruitment and selection practices still present hidden obstacles to under-represented groups

Rebecca Jarrett

Cranfield University

A group of students. We need to move away from designing HE for the idealised 'traditional' student

Returning to ‘normal’ is really a return to ignorance

Covid revealed that students need flexible and inclusive learning opportunities − something that should have been obvious well before the pandemic, says Torrey Trust

Torrey Trust

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Using the Jedi framework to drive the diversity agenda in online teaching

May the force be with you: driving diversity in online teaching

Pardis Mahdavi explains how academics can ensure they support and enhance diversity work in their online teaching through her Jedi – justice, equity, diversity and inclusion – framework

Pardis Mahdavi

Arizona State University

Advice on what to do and what not to do when writing diversity statements for online courses

Diversity statements: what to avoid and what to include

Diversity statements are increasingly important for faculty, both when teaching online and applying for jobs. Pardis Mahdavi and Scott Brooks outline what to avoid and what to include when drafting a diversity statement

Pardis Mahdavi, Scott Brooks

Arizona State University

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