Equality

Welcome

The University of Reading is committed to promoting equality and diversity. The information on these pages clarifies how equality and diversity policies & procedures are implemented at the University.

You can also find details of the University's robust equality & diversity and anti-harassment policies & procedures, as well as the equality schemes and annnual reports relating to race, disability and gender. Further information on the Equality and Diversity Committee and resources for staff and students on equality and diversity issues are also provided.

For up to date equality and diversity information visit the Equality and Human Rights Commission website at www.equalityhumanrights.com.

What's New in Equality and Diversity

 

The University of Reading's New Equality and Diversity Objectives

The University of Reading proudly announces the publication of its equality objectives.

March 2012 University of Reading's equality objectives 136 KB

The University is committed to providing an inclusive environment, which promotes equality, values diversity and respects the rights and dignity of all its staff, students and visitors.

Embedding and using the best equality and diversity practices will help the University to recruit and retain the highest quality students and staff and to enhance its reputation for academic excellence.

The equality objectives are the overarching measures that will guide the actions that the University will take to ensure that no individual, applicant, student, employee, provider, contractor or user of facilities is discriminated against on the grounds of their protected characteristics or socio-economic background.

The equality objectives are informed from a number of areas including the Embracing Diversity theme of the new Human Resources strategy Working Together: A Strategy for Success, www.reading.ac.uk/hr. This will ensure that everyone is valued for their contribution to the University, regardless of their working pattern, status or role.

A Summary of the Equality Objectives

These are: -

1. Communicating and raising awareness of the role of staff and students in minimising and challenging inappropriate behaviour or practices;
2. Build on existing work to increase the disclosure of equality related information from both staff and students to allow for the addressing of areas of inequality, where they exist;
3. Identifying and address any unjustifiable inequality in pay and/or reward amongst different groups of staff;
4. Take action to ensure that individuals are treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are provided with equality of opportunity within the University;
5. Ensure that the University environment is welcoming and accessible to all;
6. Identify and put in place programmes to enhance diversity of representation on decision-making bodies at the University;
7. Build upon existing work to embed the understanding and promotion of equality and diversity across the University through an ongoing review of learning events and arrangements for both staff and students; and
8. Take steps to attract and retain quality students and staff from all backgrounds.

Consultation and Measuring Progress

Consultations will take place throughout 2012 with students, Students Union representatives, staff, trade union representatives and partners to develop an action plan that will determine outcomes and achievement, and measure progress against the objectives.

Progress will be overseen, monitored and reviewed by the Equality and Diversity Committee on a termly basis, with references to other appropriate decision making bodies.

Meeting the Equality Duty

These equality objectives supersede the University's previous Disability Equality Scheme, Gender Equality Scheme and Race Equality Policy & Action Plan

The equality objectives illustrate the University's commitment to furthering its Equality Duty, under the Equality Act 2010, which will eliminate unlawful discrimination; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations.

 

Athena Swan

The University is a member of the Athena SWAN Charter scheme which encourages action to support and advance women working in science, engineering and technology (SET) in higher education and research. For further information visit the Athena Swan website: www.reading.ac.uk/athenaswan.

Mediasite

The Institute of Education has many presentations recorded, these include a few public lectures as well as specific talks on special needs topics and education in general.

The Mediasite system records video, sound and slides and the completed presentation may be viewed at any time on any computer. The slides have a magnification facility, the system may be paused at any point and it is possible to repeat sections, jump forwards or backwards by selecting thumbnails of slides and a presentation may be stopped at any point; it is even possible to come back to a presentation at a later time and resume where one left off last time on the same computer. There is a search facility so subjects may be looked up by topic, presenter or by date.

To get to know Mediasite, you may care to watch the short guides to be found at: http://mediasite.rdg.ac.uk/mediasite5/Catalog/catalogs/MediasiteUse.aspx

Please contact Mike McMillan, d.m.p.mcmillan@reading.ac.uk, if you require any further assistance.