The University is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all its activities, and to creating a working and study environment that is free from all forms of discrimination, harassment and victimisation prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.
A range of equality, diversity, and inclusion training opportunities are available to ensure Northumbria’s staff have the knowledge and tools to feel empowered in building a truly inclusive community.
All University colleagues are required to complete Northumbria University’s online Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Training. The module introduces the staff to the key principles of equality, inclusion and diversity, and explains the potential impact of bias and the ways we can mitigate against it. It also covers the key legislation and its implications, our rights and responsibilities, and guidelines for ensuring that equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded in our community.
Other more comprehensive EDI- related training courses for staff and students include ‘Active Bystander’, ‘Understanding Race Bias’, and ‘Unconscious Bias’ training.
In the 2021/2022 academic year colleagues were able to take advantage of awareness, learning and development opportunities in relation to the University's four focus areas of inclusion.
Disability Equality
A focussed programme of training to increase awareness and understanding of Autism was delivered with both external facilitated sessions from Ambitious About Autism and National Autistic Society and internally delivered lived experience sessions around lived experience of Autism in the workplace.
Gender Equality
Several speaker events were held to raise the profile of women in leadership roles.
Key speakers included Kim McGuinness, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria Police, Karen Finlayson, Partner at PwC LLP in Risk and UK Regions Lead for Government and Heath Industries, Sharon Lane, Managing Director at Tees Components and Lou Patel a freelance TV Producer and Director.
LGBTQ+ Equality
Sessions were delivered on Bisexuality Awareness and HIV and AIDS awareness. Delivered by Stonewall there was additionally a session on ‘The Importance of Pronouns.’
Race Equality
Examples of sessions webinars and sessions that were offered to colleagues included: ‘Gypsy and Traveller Cultural Awareness’, ‘Cultural Competency’, the Development of the African Lives in Northern England project, Hate Crime Awareness, and an ‘in-conversation’ session with Jeffrey Boakye.
For more information on available learning and upcoming events please contact the EDI team.
Diversity Calendar
Our Diversity Calendar is a useful resource and includes a mixture of religious festivals as well as EDI-related events and key dates. Please note that the calendar does not provide an exhaustive list and there are many more days and celebrations that could be included in future calendars or lists. If you have any feedback or suggestions for occasions that should be marked in future, please contact the EDI team.
Access the Diversity Calendar 2022 - 2023.
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