UoB EDI Research and Initiatives

IRiS works to advance and promote the University’s expertise in the emerging field of superdiversity, and is the first institute of its kind in the UK. Our work is: shedding light on the refugee crises and the dynamics of the migrant journey across Mediterranean routes; examining how residents in superdiverse communities have developed their own approach to healthcare; enhancing our understanding of the lived experiences of young refugees as they settle in a new country; and pioneering new work in co-production, harnessing our thinking and expertise to engage communities and practitioners and help improve public services and to support civil society.

The Centre aims to create robust, authentic, responsible business solutions based on high-quality evidence and theoretically informed research, engage and communicate effectively with business, policy-makers and change agents and, through education programmes, develop individuals with the capacity to deliver change for the common good and a sustainable future. One research focus for the Centre is aesthetic diversity in the workplace.

The aim of the IGI our aim is to inspire, support and deliver world-leading, multidisciplinary research that addresses the world’s most pressing challenges. Challenge themes include gender inequality, resilient cities, water challenges and 21^st century transnational crime.

Based within the Birmingham Business School, WIRC brings together academics from a wide range of disciplinary perspectives and backgrounds to create one of the leading centres for inclusivity research in the UK. We work with key partners to coproduce research that is both academically rigorous and implementable in strategic decision-making at all levels of business practice; we also actively work to have a positive impact on policymaking and wider society.

The Student Equality and Diversity team manages EDI initiatives across the university, building a supportive and inclusive environment for students and staff, and developing partnerships and projects to advance inclusive policy and practice. The team manages the EDI Ambassador Scheme and works closely with college EDI co-ordinators.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Ambassadors are an essential part of developing a culture of best practice within their School and College. During the scheme, volunteer students are trained to be reliable and approachable points of contact for fellow students, learning how to hold difficult conversations, when and where to refer students for further support, and how to embed the principles of equality and diversity across the institution.

The University strongly believes in engaging with sector-leading equality marks to ensure we are on top of our commitment to Equality and Diversity, as well as engaging with best practice within the sector and beyond.

Athena Swan Charter recognises and celebrates employment practices that address gender inequality in higher education and research.

Race Equality Charter aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education. The University received the REC Bronze in June 2020.

Stonewall campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people across Britain. The University features in Stonewall Global Workplace Briefing as one of the UK’s best practice examples.

Our networks are run independently by staff from across the University and provide a supportive environment for staff to discuss common issues and concerns. The networks also act in an advisory role to the University through the Equality Executive Group (our senior equality body) and are supported by the Equality & Diversity Team.  Networks include: BAME Network; Enabling Staff Network; Parents and Carers Network; Rainbow Network; and Women’s Network.