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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics is committed to developing and promoting an inclusive community.

Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

We wish to nurture the members of our community. We aim to unlock the full potential of staff and students by helping to overcome any potential barriers relating (but not limited) to:

  • gender
  • age
  • sexual orientation
  • ethnic heritage
  • religious belief
  • physical and/or mental disability
  • neurodiversity

We endeavour to build strong positive relationships within the School and with external partners to promote a common vision where diversity is valued by all. Everyone must be treated equally, with dignity and respect.

Please see the School’s full Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement.

Please see our postgraduate funding page for more information on our BME Masters Scholarship.

Equality

Athena Swan

We aim to provide a fair and supportive working environment for all staff and students. We are committed to the guidelines set out in the Athena Swan Charter.

NU Women

NU Women supports all women employed at Newcastle University. The network is open to anyone who works at the university and we provide a voice for staff working in every aspect of the university, at all levels.

Race equality

Racial equality occurs when institutions give equal opportunity to people of all races. Our university focuses on people from all over globally.

Disability equality

At Newcastle University we aim to promote a safe, respectful and inclusive environment in which all our staff can flourish.

Caring responsibilities

Caring responsibility information and resources for current NCL staff (University login required).

Student support

Find out more about our student support.

LGBT+

As a Stonewall Global Diversity Champion, we are finding even more ways to ensure Newcastle is LGBT and non-binary inclusive.

Faith and belief

Newcastle University plays host to a diverse student and staff community and welcomes students and staff members of all faiths and none.

Staff EDI page

EDI resources for current SELLL staff (University login required).

Meaning of equality and diversity

As a School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics, we are aware of the importance of language and terminology when it comes to establishing what we mean by diversity. Finding the right, respectful terms to talk to each other about diversity is an ongoing, active process. We continue to learn much from other members of the community. A key starting point for thinking about our language and policy is the Equality Act of 2010, which “legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.”

We embrace differences. This includes the legal requirement to ensure that no individual is treated less favourably based on their protected characteristics of equality. These include:

  • age
  • disability
  • gender
  • gender reassignment status
  • marital or civil partnership status
  • political belief
  • pregnancy or maternity status
  • race (including ethnic origin, nationality and colour)
  • religion or belief
  • sexual orientation
  • trade union membership
  • or any personal characteristic of the individual

Actions that undermine “dignity and respect” include harassment, bullying and victimisation.

University EDI contacts

Ruth Connolly

School of English Literature, Language, and Linguistics EDI Officer.

Kate Chedgzoy

Faculty Director of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Judith Rankin

Dean of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

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