Equality and Diversity

We are doing our best to ensure that our community members feel listened to on the subject of equality, that we take key steps in order to increase our gender, sexuality, race and class balance both in terms of what is studied and who studies it; and that we are welcoming to all. 

We have established our own Equality & Diversity Forum to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for discussion of any issues relating to Equality, Diversity, Gender and/or Sexuality.

Gender

Both gender balance and gender inclusivity are important to the Institute. Information on gender equality, parental leave and other entitlements for pregnant staff and students at UCL can be found on the UCL Gender Equality webpages.

The UCL Gender Equality Network is a means of sharing good practice, ideas and information across the university (UCL login required).

Find out more about the 50/50 Gender Equality Group (UCL login required).

Minority ethnic groups

We are profoundly committed to welcoming more students from minority ethnic groups to the Institute of Archaeology, and one of our key priorities is to ensure that all those students and staff feel welcome and supported. We always appreciate feedback as to how we can do better in this regard. The Institute of Archaeology and UCL itself are highly international, with students and staff coming from many different countries, cultures and backgrounds. UCL was one of only eight institutions to receive a Race Equality Charter Mark Bronze Award for its work in Higher Education.

At the Institute of Archaeology, we are also committed to decentering and diversifying our curriculum, and we encourage our students and researchers to expand their horizons. 

Key UCL Contacts and Sources of Information

• Race Equality website
• Both Institute of Archaeology and UCL have a zero-tolerance policy with regard to Racial and Xenophobic Harassment, and key contacts can be found in the hyperlink. Even if you are not directly affected, but have seen someone else being harassed, do not let it go unchallenged, but become an Active Bystander.
• RaceMatters@UCL is for networking, peer support, sharing ideas and articles of interest, forging scholarly connections and collaborations, organising formal and social events, and positively influencing policy and practice on ‘race’ equality at UCL.
• Resources to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

UCLU

• The Black and Minority Ethnic Students’ Officer represents BME students and students of colour on campus. The office is currently held by Sandy Ogundele. Email them at bmes.officer@ucl.ac.uk or phone them at 0207 679 7392.
• You can join the UCLU BME Network by signing up to their Facebook. You can also read more about how UCL students are championing inclusive education.

LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ students and staff are an important part of both the Institute and UCL. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment throughout the institute with a strong emphasis on reflecting the distinctive needs and priorities of different communities.

In 2018, UCL was named one of the UK’s best employers for lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff in the Stonewall 2018 Top 100 Employers Index. UCL has an active LGBTQ+ Equalities Action Group (LEAG) and an LGBTQ+ staff social network (Out@UCL) which meets at least twice a term. Staff at UCL can become a Friend of Out@UCL, and UCL provides training for staff to become LGBTQ+ allies. More information on UCL supporting trans and non-binary staff in the work place can be found in UCL’s document Supporting trans staff in the workplace.

There is also an active research network called qUCL, a university-wide initiative that brings together UCL staff and students with research and teaching interests in LGBTQ studies, gender and sexuality studies, queer theory and related fields. At the Institute of Archaeology we are especially well-placed to support LGBTQ+ students.

UCL Students

The support and wellbeing service offers support to LGBT+ students. On their website you can find information on transitioning gender, the UCL Policy and Guidance for Students transitioning Gender and details of external support for the transgender community, especially in London. The LGBT+ Students’ Network is here to support you in your study and work, to provide you with social activities, as well as to campaign on your behalf and raise awareness of your issues. The current LGBQ Officer is Xuyi Wang, and Trans Officer is Sasha/Max Tscheltzoff. 

Find LGBT+ Facebook and Instagram. 

Friends of Out@UCL campaign

Statement from Mary Fulbrook -  then Dean, UCL Faculty of Social & Historical Sciences

“Why is being an ally of particular importance to me? For many reasons. Professionally, I am a historian of Germany, and am appalled not only at how Nazis treated homosexuality but also at the continuing discrimination that persisted across Europe long after the end of the Third Reich.

Politically, discrimination still exists in many areas of the world, whether in official practices and legislation or in social relations in everyday life.

On a personal level, I am aware just how difficult things can be even in western society today, where recently won changes in conditions and increasing willingness to be open about and ‘own’ one’s identity nevertheless continually face challenges. We must stand together if we want diversity and humanity - in every sense of the word - to develop and flourish.”