Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We're working to continuously embed and improve equality, diversity and inclusion, for our students and colleagues, to help create a fairer, more inclusive community.
We value transparency, integrity and fairness in all aspects of our work. This underpins everything we do, from teaching to research.
The Business School has a long-term commitment towards improved social justice. We aim to achieve this through:
- empathy and openness
- collaboration and collegiality
Our work to foreground improved equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at the School is anchored by:
- an academic director of equality, diversity and inclusion
- a working group of over 30 academic, professional services colleagues, and PhD researchers
- a consultation group of undergraduate and postgraduate students
Our aims
Through our work, we aim to:
- address equality and diversity within the School, fostering and sustaining a culture that is inclusive and supportive for everyone
- take action to eliminate discrimination
- embed the values of EDI across the School through accessible education and research
- take action to eliminate barriers that hinder advancement for our colleagues and students
This work delivers strategic oversight of policy, process and action across equality, diversity and inclusion. It takes into account the nine characteristics protected in UK law and their intersections.
What we're doing
We are working towards our goals through:
- leadership and visibility. EDI is embedded across governance and management throughout the School
- learning and awareness-raising. This includes events to celebrate different faith holidays, and activities in support of understanding and reducing inequality by gender, race and sexuality
- reviewing our student and staff recruitment practices. This includes work to encourage gender balance in accounting and economics
- diversifying and decolonising curricula and research. This includes expanding access to voices from a greater range of perspectives
- ensuring parity of esteem and respect between colleagues with different academic contributions and with professional services colleagues who enable academia to run effectively
We hold induction sessions for new colleagues and students to share the School's EDI commitments.
Athena Swan awards
Athena Swan awards are run by Advance HE. They recognise real, evidenced action that improves people’s day-to-day experience at university.
Newcastle University holds a Gold award. This is the top recognition in higher education.
The Humanities and Social Sciences faculty (HaSS), of which we are a member, holds a Silver award.
These awards show that policies and practices are not just in place, but working in ways that benefit staff and students. They enable:
- fairer recruitment and progression
- better support for career development
- more inclusive teaching and working environments
- a stronger culture around flexible working and wellbeing
People here are more likely to be treated fairly, supported properly, and able to succeed, regardless of gender or background.
Directors
The Co-Directors of EDI are Dr Sara Zaeemdar and Dr Jane Brown.
They are members of the School Executive Board. They also attend other school committees and boards of studies to ensure EDI remains a focus.