University staff have a responsibility to deliver researcher development within the legal framework outlined in this section.

Specifically, this might mean:

• paying attention to the needs of researchers from diverse groups within your programme design – including an equality analysis/impact assessment process in your programme development is a useful way of ensuring that you give due consideration to inclusivity and accessibility
• making explicit to researchers the standards of conduct you expect in the way they interact, and dealing promptly and correctly with inappropriate behaviour
• identifying opportunities within your department for researchers to work collaboratively in diverse groups
• devising creative and respectful ways of using the diverse experiences of researchers to add value to the department

Important note: Protection on the grounds of nationality is subject to compliance with immigration rules.

It should be noted that being equitable does not mean providing the same for every student but recognising the different needs within a diverse group and making necessary steps to ensure that services are provided in a way that meets these needs as far as possible.

Adapted from material published by the Equality Challenge Unit.

This short video from the University of Plymouth gives the international doctoral students’ perspective: