Equality Monitoring & Advancement Group (EMAG)

Ensuring institutional accountability, data-led progress, and strategic coordination for UCL’s equality charters and overseeing action plans.

Contents

Overview
About EMAG
Membership
Member Responsibilities
EMAG Meetings
How EMAG Works
Contact
EMAG Membership 2025-2026

Overview

The Equality Monitoring and Advancement Group (EMAG) – formerly the Equality Charters Group, is a central part of UCL’s equality governance structure. EMAG brings together experts, charter leads, EDI practitioners, and representatives from across the university to monitor progress, analyse data and ensure a joined-up approach to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion.

EMAG plays a pivotal role in delivering UCL’s long-term equality ambitions by coordinating institutional charter submissions, overseeing action plans, and supporting evidence-based decision making.

About EMAG

EMAG is charged by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) to:

1. Oversee Charter Marks and Implementation Plans

EMAG monitors the implementation and review of current and future institutional EDI charter marks and Equality Implementation Group action plans, including:

• Athena Swan
• Race Equality Charter & Race Equality Implementation Group Action Plan
• LGBTQ+ Equality Implementation Group Action Plan
• Disability Equality Implementation Group Action Plan

2. Monitor Equality Data and Progress

• Review equality data annually (or more frequently)
• Ensure actions are progressing on schedule and address emerging risks

3. Support Collaboration and Reduce Silos

• Create shared responsibility across faculties and functions
• Strengthen alignment between EDI initiatives, charter marks and implementation groups

4. Report to Governance

• Provide written updates to every meeting of the EDI Committee, which oversees delivery of UCL’s EDI Strategic Plan

5. Strengthen Intersectional Approaches

• Consider intersectionality in charter submissions and action plans
• Ensure institutional priorities are reflected throughout

6. Support Charter Submissions and Long-Term Planning

During submission or review periods, EMAG will:

• Oversee institutional submissions for Race Equality Charter and Athena Swan
• Oversee development of Equality Implementation Group action plans
• Analyse staff and student data to identify issues and inform solutions
• Develop strategic, evidence-based interventions
• Support long-term planning to progress to higher award levels

7. Approve Amendments Between Submission Cycles

• Agree adjustments to actions where appropriate to remain responsive to emerging priorities

Membership

EMAG membership reflects a balance of:

• Gender
• Academic, research and professional services roles
• Representation from all faculties
• Diverse lived experiences
• Staff at a range of grades, plus student representatives

Membership is reviewed annually to ensure appropriate representation across the institution.

Membership includes:

• Co-Chairs: Pro Provost (Equity & Inclusion) and Head of EDI Programmes & Charters
• Steering Group Chairs (Race, Gender, LGBTQ+, Disability)
• EDI Community of Practice Leads
• Faculty and departmental representatives
• Self-assessment team members
• Action holders
• Student Union representatives
• Observers (as required)

Member Responsibilities

All EMAG members are expected to:

• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Demonstrate a commitment to equity and justice
• Be mindful and respectful of difference
• Take responsibility for monitoring and reporting on actions in their remit
• Attend all meetings or nominate an appropriate representative
• Actively contribute to discussions, decisions and task delivery

EMAG Meetings

• EMAG meets termly
• Frequency increases during submission or review periods (e.g., Athena Swan Gold, REC submission)
• Subgroups or working groups may meet more regularly depending on workload or evidence requirements

How EMAG Works

Data-Led

• EMAG uses staff and student data, survey results, listening exercises and insight from networks to inform decisions and prioritise action.

Collaborative

• The group provides an institutional space to align charter activity, prevent duplication and strengthen cross-university coordination.

Strategic

• EMAG connects action plans with UCL’s wider EDI Strategy and ensures governance bodies are sighted on progress and risks.

Contact

For further details about EMAG or to enquire about involvement, please email us.

EMAG Membership 2025-2026

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