Race Equality Week 2021
Posted on 28 January 2021
The theme for Race Equality Week 2021 is 'Transparency and Accountability', and in response to this we wanted to take this opportunity to update all members of our community on the recent progress made by the University in our commitment to creating a working, learning, living and social environment where our staff and students can achieve their full potential and be free from unfair treatment or barriers associated with race and ethnicity.
Our approach to race equality
We have established a University Race Equality Coordination Group, which provides a vision and direction for our Anti-racist campus approach and agenda. Led by our Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships and Engagement, the group is responsible for coordinating a programme of activity in the form of race equality focus areas, falling under the headings:
- Our staff
- Our students
- Inclusive support
- Our values
- A university for public good
The Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted just how much progress we all need to make to remove visible and structural barriers, and that inequality and disadvantage on the grounds of race and ethnic background is still a significant institutional and social issue.
Find out more about our work on our Let’s talk about race and racism pages.
Looking ahead
As an institution, we acknowledge the significance of not losing sight of this important agenda, and so we are determined not to become complacent, which is why we have set ourselves ambitious and impactful targets over the course of the next 12 months.
The priorities for the Race Equality Coordination Group for the next 12 months have been identified under the following three headings:
- Establishing a culture and environment where we can talk about the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of race and inequality.
- Addressing the ethnicity pay gap and BAME staff under-representation.
- Diversifying and decolonising the curriculum.
The University’s Executive Board has endorsed these priorities and has committed to supporting the progress of these across our learning, teaching, working, social and living environments.
Learn more and get involved
Related events:
- Racist Disciplines? Critically exploring approaches to race in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Masterclass presentation: diversity and inclusion in the age of Covid-19
- Indigenous Pedagogy: How to Teach a Decolonized Curriculum
Support the York Anti-Racist Collective Society and the Norman Rea Gallery project
Watch-again series:
The Screen Industries Growth Network (XR Stories and SIGN) have produced a series of short documentary films presenting lived experiences of a diverse group of people working in the screen industries. Produced for us by Candour, the films are raw, honest and vivid portrayals of the work that still needs to be done to widen participation and representation across all sectors of the industry.
Race Equality Week was established by the not-for-profit community interest company Race Equality Matters, which was formed in response to the Black Lives Matter Movement, and its goal is to turn "declarations of commitment and support from organisations and individuals into meaningful change in racial equality, both in the workforce and in society."