University race equality challenge: C-

You can get a snapshot of just how poor UK universities are at tackling race inequality within their institutions when 30 universities took up the challenge and only 8 received a bronze, with 9 universities not even completing the challenge. The latter 9 is comparable to a student either being thrown out or not taking the exams.

The Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) – a charity that helps to further and support equality & diversity across UK higher education – last year launched its Race Equality Charter to acknowledge the continued existence of racial inequalities that, it said, limits both minority ethnic individuals and the sector as a whole in fulfilling its full potential.

They have wanted to see universities that have a robust action plan to both recognise the problem and effectively deal with it.

One of the major challenges has been with the lack of Black university professors. The figure has been hovering around 70-75 out of 1400 across the UK. The other big challenge has always been British born BME access to the top universities, which is often seen as a passport to a brighter economic future.

I guess we should be commending those eight that received this award, but it seems as though those we’re praising have only received an ‘adequate’ level.

The eight universities who were successful in receiving the bronze award are:

1. De Montfort University

2. King’s College London

3. Kingston University

4. Royal Holloway University London

5. Staffordshire University

6. University of Hertfordshire

7. UCL (incorporating the Institute of Education)

8. University of Manchester

Head of Equality Charters at ECU, Sarah Dickinson, described how achieving a charter award in its first year is no mean feat, due to the number of processes and practices that need to be implemented from scratch. She added: “They have all worked extremely hard and I’m delighted they are now able to celebrate the fruits of their efforts.”

De Montford’s vice-chancellor, Professor Dominic Shellard, highlighted how the university came to land the award: “Institutions had to demonstrate their inclusive culture and determination to improve by preparing an action plan to tackle racial equality, as well as identifying any barriers to progression.”

King’s College vice principal, Chris Mottershead, added: “A critical assessment of our performance in this area was long overdue and this is a key step in us becoming the diverse and inclusive organisation we want to be.”

Simon Woolley