Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Race Equality Charter

The University joined the Race Equality Charter (REC) in December 2018 and is working towards an application under the Charter by July 2023.

Race Equality Charter principles

The Race Equality Charter (REC) Mark aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education. The University joined the Charter in December 2018 and has adopted the five key principles of the REC:

  1. Racial inequalities are a significant issue within higher education. Racial inequalities are not necessarily overt, isolated incidents. Racism is an everyday facet of UK society and racial inequalities manifest themselves in everyday situations, processes and behaviours.
  2. UK higher education cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of the whole population and until individuals from all ethnic backgrounds can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords.
  3. In developing solutions to racial inequalities, it is important that they are aimed at achieving long-term institutional culture change, avoiding a deficit model where solutions are aimed at changing the individual.
  4. Minority ethnic staff and students are not a homogeneous group. People from different ethnic backgrounds have different experiences of, and outcomes from/within, higher education, and that complexity needs to be considered in analysing data and developing actions.
  5. All individuals have multiple identities, and the intersection of those identities should be considered wherever possible.

Key aspects

One of Advance HE’s equality charters, the REC provides a framework through which higher education institutions work to identify and self-reflect on the institutional and cultural barriers that minority and ethnic staff and students experience. The application for an award under the charter covers the following areas:

  • diversity of the curriculum
  • student progression and attainment
  • academic staff
  • professional support staff

Self-Assessment Team

A Self-Assessment Team (SAT) is overseeing work towards an application for an award under the Race Equality Charter (REC). The University has a full-time Equality Charter Manager within the EDI Unit who supports the work of the Self-Assessment Team.

REC SAT: mission statement

Using an anti-racist lens, to tackle institutional racism and racial inequality through identifying and challenging the structural, cultural and other barriers, practices and discourses at the University of Sussex.

REC SAT: terms of reference

You can find the Terms of Reference for the REC SAT here