Race Equality Project
Lincoln's Race Equality project began in 2016, with our signing of the ECU's Race Equality Charter. Since then, we have been striving to understand our culture as an institution, and how we can best address and mitigate the under-representation of BAME - and particularly black - staff and students within our community
Our journey towards race equality
Alongside the University's well-established Athena SWAN project, the Race Equality project has gained momentum. Work towards our first Race Equality Charter Award submission (April 2021) focussed on self-reflection, building an understanding of the racial inequalities across our institution, and developing solutions to the racial inequalities we have so far identified. It is important that these solutions are aimed at achieving long-term institutional culture change, and are not aimed at changing individuals.
Key milestones on our journey so far are outlined below:
2021
Race Equality Charter Bronze Award April 2021
2020
1st REC Project meeting — building our mitigation action plan (2021–2025). Two sub-groups established: staff-focussed project group / student-focussed project group.
Decolonisation of the curriculum oversight group established to coordinate the Inclusive Curriculum Project.
BAME Independent Complaints Officer appointed by the Lincoln Students' Union.
BAME Officer to sit on the Lincoln Students' Union Board of Trustees from 2020.
Pipeline Inclusive Mentoring Scheme (PIMS): two new pathways introduced to the mentoring framework — 'cultural challenges' and 'reverse mentoring' for senior leaders and managers.
Equalities Advisory Group established to ensure that the decisions we make as an institution do not differentially affect groups within our community.
People of colour staff network established.
LGBTQI+ staff network established.
Disabilities staff network established.
Our first Annual Lincoln Inclusion & Diversity Conference (LID2020) was held in February 2020 — attended by over 100 academic and professional services staff.
Staff Training: Enhanced EDI training for all staff (including student staff) at the Lincoln Students' Union
Prof Shane O'Neill discussed Keele's successful application for a REC award and delivered a thought-provoking Be Inspired! lecture — University today and the struggle against race-based inequalities.
Staff and Student Diversity Report 2020 published.
2019
The Issues of Race and Ethnicity Research Roundtable brought together researchers from across the institution to discuss their race-related research and establish new interdisciplinary collaborations.
More than a number — hear our stories: a project focussing on BAME student experiences across the University — voices to be heard and listened to.
The Truth Booth created: a series of awareness-raising videos made by staff and student.
Study: Analysis of BAME Student Engagement with the University of Lincoln Students' Union
The EDI Forum was established as a central forum for discussing EDI challenges across the institution. It evolved from the gender-based forum of the Athena SWAN project.
EDI committees established in all Schools and Colleges. The existing Athena SWAN self-evaluation teams (ASSETs) expanded their remit to consider broader EDI challenges.
University adopts the IHRA's definition of antisemitism.
6th REC Self-Assessment Team meeting to reflect on current policies and practices and build an understanding of the racial inequalities across our institution.
BAME leadership programme (INSPIRE) established for University staff.
Staff training: Race in HE for Heads of School.
The Lincoln Equality of Attainment Project (LEAP) was established in the Lincoln Higher Education Research Institute.
The Concern Line was set up for staff to anonymously report incidences of discrimination, harassment or any inappropriate behaviour based on protected characteristics. Further support is provided through the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — a 24/7 confidential counselling and advice service that is free to all University of Lincoln employees.
2018
Staff Training: Unconscious bias for Heads of School
REC Staff Survey 2018 (academic and professional services) conducted and analysed to identify cultural challenges and racial inequalities in our staff community.
REC Student Survey 2018 conducted and analysed to identify cultural challenges and racial inequalities in our student community.
5th REC Self-Assessment Team meeting to reflect on current policies and practices and build an understanding of the racial inequalities across our institution.
Don't tolerate hate!: HEFCE-funded project led by the Student Support Centre, to raise the awareness of hate crime to the student community.
Addressing Differential Outcomes for BME Learners Working Group: Institutional change and challenges in the journey towards addressing differential outcomes for the BME group
Diversity Festival 2018: a diversity of exhibitions, food and public workshops, to experience and celebrate different cultures across the campus.
4th REC Self-Assessment Team meeting to reflect on current policies and practices and build an understanding of the racial inequalities across our institution.
3rd REC Self-Assessment Team meeting to reflect on current policies and practices and build an understanding of the racial inequalities across our institution.
2017
Student Access and Participation Plan Evaluation Project (APPEP) was established to evaluate the University's Access and Participation Plan. Access and Participation Plans demonstrate how higher education institutions aim to improve access, progression and success for under-represented individuals and/or identify with specified characteristics of disadvantage.
In partnership with JUST Lincolnshire and the Lincoln Students' Union, the University hosted the Challenging Perceptions Summit 2017, coinciding with National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2017.
Let's Talk About Race: a project funded by the Lincoln Higher Education Research Institute (LHERI), to explore academics' confidence in discussions about race.
Diversity Festival 2017: a diversity of exhibitions, food and public workshops, to experience and celebrate different cultures across the campus.
2nd REC Self-Assessment Team meeting to reflect on current policies and practices and build an understanding of the racial inequalities across our institution.
Workshop: Barriers to BAME Women in Academia. Exploring the barriers experienced by BAME women, from undergraduate to professor.
Student training: Unconscious bias.
Staff Training: Unconscious bias for Programme Leaders.
REC Student Focus Groups exploring emergent themes from survey.
REC Staff Focus Groups exploring emergent themes from survey.
Staff Training: Achieving Race Equality in HE.
1st REC Self-Assessment Team meeting to reflect on current policies and practices and build an understanding of the racial inequalities across our institution.
2016
REC Staff Survey 2016 (academic and professional services) conducted and analysed to identify cultural challenges and racial inequalities in our staff community.
REC Student Survey 2016 conducted and analysed to identify cultural challenges and racial inequalities in our student community.
Staff Training: Introduction to Race Equality.
The University signed the Race Equality Charter, and began its reflective journey towards identifying and mitigating racial inequalities, and cultural barriers, impacting minority ethnic staff and students.