Charter marks recognise UCL’s commitment to equality

UCL is one of only two higher education institutions to hold the Race Equality Charter ‘bronze’ award and Athena Swan ‘Silver’ at the same time.

UCL was one of just eight institutions to receive a ‘Bronze’ award from the new national Race Equality Charter (REC) scheme, aimed at improving the representation, progression and success of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BME) staff and students within higher education. 

“To obtain the charter mark, institutions must analyse details of the breakdown by ethnicity of multiple aspects of employment,” explains Fiona McClement, UCL’s Director of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. These include the seniority and types of role, pay, career progression, numbers of grievance and disciplinary procedures, and participation in training, as well as the progress of job applicants through the recruitment process. UCL’s submission included the results of staff surveys and focus groups, as well as an ambitious institutional action plan. 

“The Charter also considers the experience of BAME students when they apply to and during their time at an institution, including the composition of the student body, the classification of degrees they receive and the student recruitment process,” adds Fiona. 

UCL and some of its departments have also been recognised by the national Athena SWAN Charter, which was established to encourage and recognise a commitment to advancing the careers of women employed in higher education and research. 

As an institution, UCL was recognised with the ‘Silver’ award, becoming one of two higher education institutions to hold this and the REC ‘Bronze’ award concurrently. In addition, individual departments across UCL currently hold two Gold, 13 Silver and 24 Bronze Athena SWAN awards - the highest number of any higher educational institution in the country.