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UCL was one of the first universities in the UK to be formally awarded for its efforts to understand, and take steps to address, racialised inequalities in the academy.
The university was only one of eight institutions to receive a Bronze award for a pioneering, national pilot of the Race Equality Charter for higher education.
UCL President & Provost, Professor Michael Arthur, who co-chaired the project team, said he was very encouraged by the award, but that this only marked the beginning of UCL’s determination to be a leader in ‘race’ equality. He added: “Participating in the Race Equality Charter was by no means a simple or comfortable process. UCL had to take an honest, critical and far-reaching review of the barriers that persist in our institution, as they do across the sector.
“We have always been clear that the first step is to acknowledge that universities are not immune to the subtle biases and deeply rooted structural inequalities that can disadvantage black and minority ethnic people. I’m very pleased therefore that we have been recognised for our efforts so far – but we will not be complacent and I see this as just the start of our journey”.
The Charter provides us with an important framework and I’m glad that UCL is braving this complex and difficult agenda.
Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu
The Race Equality Charter is a national scheme aimed at improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education. Its purpose is to inspire a strategic approach to making cultural and systemic changes that will make a real difference to minority ethnic staff and students.
For more information, please see the full Submission and Action Plan.
