November 2021
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This conference focusesed on next steps for tackling racial discrimination in higher education, looking at priorities for developing university-wide strategies for addressing harassment.
The discussion drew on the UUK Tackling racial harassment in higher education report, assessing progress and the way forward for implementing its recommendations. Delegates also looked at next steps for the Race Equality Charter developed by Advance HE and how its impact can be developed and improved, with a keynote address from Arun Verma, Head of the Race Equality Charter, Advance HE.
We were also pleased to be able to include a keynote contribution on the UUK report and priorities going forward from Sandra Kerr, Race Director, Business in the Community; and Independent Expert Advisor to Universities UK; and Nona McDuff, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Students and Teaching, Solent University; and Member, Universities UK Advisory Group to tackle racial harassment in Higher Education.
Overall, the agenda was structured to bring out latest thinking on steps higher education institutions can take to:
- create a welcoming and cohesive campus culture
- improve understanding of racial harassment amongst staff and students
- ensure that effective procedures are in place to tackle racial harassment
- move forward in developing diverse and inclusive curricula
- measure the impact on student outcomes and act on evidence
Delegates also learned from best practice in supporting students and staff from ethnic minority backgrounds, including:
- employment prospects - with Sabrina Starke, University Partnership Manager, Absolute Internship
- looking particularly at opportunities to network with employers as well as other ways to improve future employment prospects and increase graduate earnings
- COVID-19 - with Nina Freedman, President, Union of Jewish Students
- considering the impact of COVID-19 on cases of racial harassment across UK HEIs
- student and staff wellbeing - with David Woodger, Programme Convenor, Goldsmiths University of London
- looking at how to foster wellbeing and support for both staff and students alike
- the US experience - with Professor Lionel de Souza, Management and Technology, UniversitiGoGlobal
- on dealing with racial harassment within HEIs and considering the role of the law in promoting equal opportunity
Attendees
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places had been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from the Department for Education; the Home Office; and the Welsh Government. Representatives also attended from Bevan Brittan; Durham University; Equality and Human Rights Commission; Middlesex University; Mills & Reeve; Poverty Alleviation Scholarships Foundation; University of Derby; University of Lincoln; University of Liverpool; University of Portsmouth; University of the Arts London; University of the West of Scotland; and UWE Bristol.
Press passes had been reserved by representatives from Bonhill Group and University Business.