Commission on Unprotected Groups

About

The Commission on Unprotected Groups at University College London (UCL) is a staff equalities network aimed at broadening our understanding and support for equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). While UCL has made significant strides in championing legally-protected characteristics, we acknowledge the presence of gaps in addressing the inequalities faced by unprotected groups. These groups may face disadvantages not only due to their inherent characteristics but due to societal, economic, and policy-driven factors, including (for example) social class, income, regional origin, housing status, non-marital relationship or family status, past criminal records, or specific genetic characteristics.

Join or Contact Us

For more information, to join the commission, or to offer your support, please contact us via email

Organisational Principles

Membership

Participation in the commission’s activities, and its wider network, is open to all UCL staff. The vast majority of the commission’s activities will be centred on its wider membership.

The commission will also seek volunteer ‘Commissioners’ for its Coordinating Group. Unless they are vacated, these roles will be for a three-year period, or the duration of an Inquiry, and will be selected from applicants by the coordinating group based on expertise and fit.

The Chair of the Commission will facilitate the activities of the network and coordinating group. Unless the role is vacated, the chairpersonship will change every three years, starting in 2027, and will be selected from applicants by the coordinating group based on expertise and fit. Co-Chairs may be selected if the coordinating group decide this is appropriate.

From time to time, the commission will invite ‘Special Commissioners’ to lead an Inquiry or oversee a strand of the network’s activity. These roles will be for a three-year period, or the duration of an Inquiry, and will be selected from applicants by the coordinating group based on expertise and fit.

Meetings

The Commission on Unprotected Groups will hold a general meeting at least once a year.

Members of the coordinating group will meet as necessary, but at least once a term. These  meetings will be designed to accommodate hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Where matters are to be put to a vote, agendas and minutes will be distributed, with decisions made by majority vote when necessary. Quoracy will be set at 50% of coordinating group members.

Inquiries will be overseen by meetings of Special Commissioners, and at least one member of the Coordinating Group. Where matters are to be put to a vote, agendas and minutes will be distributed, and decisions will be made by unanimous vote. Quoracy will be set at 100% of Special Commissioners.

Terms of Reference

Definition of Unprotected Groups

Unprotected Groups – for the purposes of the commission- are defined as ‘communities of people, identified by a shared biological or sociological trait that disadvantages them in the conduct of their careers, who nonetheless do not benefit from protection under UK law’. Issues relating to freedom of speech are considered beyond the commission’s purview. 

Aims and Purpose

The Commission on Unprotected Groups has the following key aims:

1. Develop Institutional Knowledge about deficits in the equality, diversity and inclusion of unprotected groups within UCL, and identify areas for improvement.
2. Raise Awareness of these issues faced by unprotected groups among colleagues, students and institutional partners, and promote effective strategies for fostering an inclusive environment for these various groups.
3. Capacity Building: Establish and support networks and resources for individuals belonging to unprotected groups, providing them with the necessary tools and support to thrive at UCL.
4. Advocate for inclusive policies and practices, influencing university management account for and address the needs of marginalized groups who do not benefit from legal protections.
5. Promote Intersectional Approaches to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across UCL, with an emphasis on the intersection of unprotected characteristics and other forms of marginalisation, recognising how overlapping social positions impact individuals’ experiences of inequality.
6. Support Research and Dialogue: Facilitate research, discussions, and networking opportunities to explore and mitigate the challenges faced by unprotected groups.

The Commission will achieve these aims through:

• Scoping Work: Mapping and uncovering the unprotected groups at UCL that experience deficits in the equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Supporting Research and Analysis to understand the dimensions and impacts of inequalities faced by unprotected groups at UCL, and the exchange of relevant knowledge.
• Inquiries: Multi-stage procedures intended to develop institutional knowledge about specific unprotected groups’ at UCL. These begin with calls for evidence from across UCL, run through a process of active consultation with staff, and culminate in the production of a report intended to inform policy and practice at UCL.
• Interventions: Drawing on existing institutional knowledge, as well as the findings of UCL community research, analysis, and commission reports, the commission will seek to make discrete interventions that promote the diversity, equality and inclusion of unprotected groups at UCL. This includes:
  • Network Events: Organize events, workshops, and campaigns to raise awareness about the issues facing unprotected groups and promote their inclusion.
  • Policy Advocacy: Work with senior leadership to advocate for university policy changes and the implementation of practices that promote fairness and equality for all members of our community.
  • Seed-work: Work at the grassroots of UCL to build resources and institutional power to address problems faced by unprotected groups.
• Collaboration with other EDI Initiatives at UCL: Working closely with other EDI Networks and Steering Groups, and the Office of the President and Provost (Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion) to ensure a nuanced and comprehensive approach to equity, diversity and inclusion across the institution.