De Montfort University is the first higher education institution recognised with a Race Equality Charter Silver Award

De Montfort University (DMU) has become the first higher education institution in the UK to achieve a Silver Award through the Race Equality Charter.

An independent panel of assessors in the higher education sector found that DMU had made a significant impact in addressing inequality and promoting race equality across the whole institution. The panel also concluded that DMU had shown strong leadership in promoting the principles of the Race Equality Charter and cited examples of initiatives it had delivered that had a brought a transformational change for its Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and students.  These included developing strong engagement with staff, students, departments and local communities to create a truly inclusive environment.

Inclusive institutions

Advance HE launched the Race Equality Charter on behalf of the sector in 2015 and so far 99 institutions have signed up to its principles. Of its members, 38 have achieved Bronze Award level by demonstrating they have clear aims for their race equality, which includes the development of their own detailed action plans that are informed and evidenced by their own data and findings supporting their work to promote an inclusive institution.

Removing barriers

Advance HE Chief Executive Alison Johns welcomed DMU’s award. She said:

“I am delighted that DMU has achieved the first Race Equality Charter Silver Award..

“DMU is hugely deserving. Its work is having real impact in removing the barriers to success so that all students and staff have the opportunity to realise their talents.

 “The Silver Award is a measure of DMU’s commitment to race equality. Furthermore, the university’s well-developed data systems are helping it understand and meet the needs of people who hold intersecting protected characteristics and continue to make huge strides in making everyone feel they belong.

Embedding charter

“It is a fantastic milestone that an institution has attained a Silver Award for the very first time and it shows the extent to which the Charter is becoming embedded across UK Higher Education.

“The Race Equality Charter is all about creating inclusive environments in which everyone can thrive and that is something that DMU is delivering in real and transformational ways.”