Putting the race equality action plan in place
As the academic machine springs into life again, so does the work of many groups and networks working to enhance and improve the experience of working and studying in St Andrews.
One of these is the Race Equality Charter Monitoring and Action Implementation Team (REC MAIT), chaired by Dr Akira O’Connor and made up of students and staff from across the institution. Akira is supported by Amritesh Singh as Deputy REC Chair. The REC Monitoring and Action Implementation Team currently meets four times a year.
Last year saw several years of hard work by the REC team culminate in the University receiving an institutional Race Equality Charter Bronze Award in recognition of its efforts to improve the representation, progression and success of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff and students in St Andrews.
The REC Charter, which is run by Advance HE, acts as an avenue for the University to raise the profile of race equality and maintain dialogue about what race equality looks like in practice at St Andrews.
The University’s application for the award, the REC survey report which informed it, and the Charter action plan received from Advance HE, are available to read in full on the REC webpages (LINKS). These documents help the University identify and critically reflect on the institutional barriers faced by minority ethnic staff and students.
Gary Younge lecture
Early work to progress the Charter action plan includes introduction of an inclusive practice in teaching award, a diverse leadership programme and the upcoming inaugural Race Equality Lecture, which will be delivered by Gary Younge, journalist, author, broadcaster and Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester.
The lecture, which is open to staff, students and the public, takes place on Tuesday 30 September at 5.30pm in the Buchanan Lecture Theatre. Tickets are still available.
Akira said: “We are honoured to welcome Gary to St Andrews. Throughout his career, he has spoken with honesty and clarity about race equality, not only in Britain but across the world. The title of his talk, Equal Opportunities, Not Photo Opportunities, reflects the genuine change we seek through the University’s Race Equality Charter work and should remind us all that real progress requires structural transformation, not symbolic gestures.
“By better understanding and addressing the experience of minority ethnic staff and students at St Andrews, we will be able to make meaningful and lasting interventions in areas such as staff recruitment, representation, pay gaps and progression; student admissions, representation and attainment; discrimination, bullying and harassment; and curriculum reform.”
In preparation for submitting its Charter Application last year, the University assembled a REC Self-Assessment Team (REC SAT) and one of its members was Assistant Chaplain, Bill Shackman.
Hopeful for the future
Bill said: “I think the biggest impact that the REC made on campus was to highlight the sense of displacement that many BAME students feel at this University. We did a great job of listening to students’ experiences, hopes and needs, but more action is needed to address those concerns.
“The work of the REC brought together an incredible group of staff members. It was inspiring to see such a diverse group of staff committed to tackling fundamental problems facing our community. Everyone’s dedication to the project made me hopeful for the possibility of a more equal future. People contributed openly and honestly, sharing their convictions and personal stories in a way that fostered deep respect. The feelings of friendship and shared purpose was palpable.
“I was honoured to be included amongst such a hard-working, thoughtful, and diverse group. Working on thisproject brought together people from different schools, departments, and backgrounds. It showed just how much we can accomplish when we all work together. Ultimately this sense of camaraderie and shared communal responsibility may be the most lasting and important impact that the REC provided.”
If you are interested in becoming involved in the work of the REC team, please email [email protected]
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