The University of Central Lancashire’s efforts to address racial inequalities and create a more inclusive environment have been recognised with an Advance HE Race Equality Charter (REC) Bronze Award.
The REC aims to help UK universities and research institutions to “improve the representation, progression and success of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in higher education.”
Valid until 2030, the award demonstrates the institution’s commitment to the guiding principles of the Race Equality Charter.
"This is excellent news and something we’re very proud of."
— Professor Andrew Ireland, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Students and Teaching
The University has identified six key priorities to deliver over the next five years:
- Create a safe and inclusive environment for colleagues and students
- Accelerate and improve career progression for minoritised ethnic colleagues
- Embed inclusive recruitment practices
- Improve the outcomes for minoritised ethnic students
- Improve student recruitment practices
- Develop the infrastructure to progress and embed race equality
These were decided following a year-long consultation process with staff and students, culminating in almost 2,000 responses. The priorities are underpinned by more than 250 actions. These actions are informed by data, including the consultation process.
"We have set ourselves an ambitious and measurable action plan to deliver over the next five years and work is well underway to achieve the six key priorities."
— Professor Andrew Ireland, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Students and Teaching
Professor Andrew Ireland, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Students and Teaching, said: “This is excellent news and something we’re very proud of. This work has been steered by our colleague and student voices, with surveys, focus groups and a dedicated self-assessment team and steering group working to identify and address the barriers facing minoritised ethnic colleagues and students.
“Receiving this Bronze Award is just the beginning, as meaningful change will come as we put our action plan into practice. We have set ourselves an ambitious and measurable action plan to deliver over the next five years and work is well underway to achieve the six key priorities.“
The Race Equality Charter is underpinned by five fundamental guiding principles.
- Racism is an everyday facet of UK society and racial inequalities may manifest themselves in everyday situations, processes, and behaviours. Racial disparities are a critical issue in outcomes for staff and students, recognising that racial inequalities are not necessarily overt, isolated incidents.
- The UK higher education sector will not 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.
- In tackling racial inequalities, it is important that actions are aimed at achieving transformational and long-term institutional culture change, avoiding a deficit model where actions are aimed at changing the individual.
- Staff and students from racially minoritised ethnic backgrounds are not a homogeneous group. People from different ethnic backgrounds have different experiences of, and outcomes from and within, higher education, and that complexity needs to be considered in analysing data, developing solutions, and implementing actions.
- Embracing intersectionality, from analysing data to developing actions, can better support institutions to tackle racism within the higher education sector.
More information about the Bronze Advance HE Race Equality Charter (REC) Award is available on the Advance HE website -
More information about equality, diversity and inclusion at the University of Central Lancashire is available online.