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Women in HE Conference 2021

Driving progress in equality, diversity and inclusion

Supporting institutions to tackle inequalities and implement strategies to promote and enhance equality across all protected characteristics.

Sustaining Inclusive Progress in Higher Education

Creating inclusive environments in higher education has never been more critical.

Higher education is being challenged to become accessible, inclusive and representative of the society we live in. The voices calling for change are many and strong, the opportunities, energy and urgency likewise.

We partner with institutions to strengthen equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategies, ensuring they align with organisational priorities and meet the evolving expectations of staff and students. Our evidence-based support helps institutions sustain progress and embed inclusive practices that deliver impact.

We support your institution to create places of learning and employment that welcome diversity, nurture talent and make sustainable change. We can help you remove barriers to education, employment and success, so that higher education can reach its full potential, and your diverse staff and students can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords.

Our work can focus on issues surrounding specific protected characteristics but will always consider intersectionality with other protected characteristics.

Want to find out more?

Complete the form by clicking below and we will be in touch to discuss your requirements and how we can support you in achieving your goals.

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Why work with Advance HE?

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values as an organisation and provide the framework for the work that we do with our members and clients.

Our work on equality, diversity and inclusion:

  • is evidence-based and draws on a wide range of academic thinking
  • is informed by good practice from across and beyond the higher education sector
  • is in synergy with and support of Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter
  • understands that inequalities are not limited to overt, isolated incidents, but are also an everyday facet of society, situations, processes and behaviours
  • focuses on institutional as well as individual change
  • foregrounds the voices and lived experiences of students and staff from marginalised groups
  • creates a safe space for honest and transformative conversations
  • understands that engagement, confidence and skill levels in relation to EDI differ between and within institutions so we pay attention to the context, needs and well-being of those we work with.
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Our solutions

Equality Audits

Our bespoke equality audits are designed to help institutions identify where the challenges lie and what works within their own context.
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e-Learning courses

Our e-Learning courses have been carefully designed by our sector experts to support staff and students within higher education with EDI.
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Access and Participation Plan Support

We provide our expertise to support a holistic picture of your access, participation and success strategy.
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Culture reviews

Using our Transforming Culture Cycle, we work with you to review your cultures and transform behaviours and values.
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Learning and development

We design tailored programmes for your staff at all levels and students to understand, challenge and lead on EDI issues.
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Insights

Enhanced insights and analysis services to the sector and institutions to help identify strengths and challenges and the impetus for change.
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Athena Swan

A framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research.
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Race Equality Charter

The Charter aims to improve the representation, progression and success of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in higher education.
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Tailored solutions

If you have a specific challenge you would like our support with, please complete the form below and a member of the team will be in touch.
Request a proposal
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Our experts

Working with us means drawing on the expertise of highly experienced colleagues who are active leaders in their fields with significant track records in supporting institutions to deliver their objectives. We also work with a vast group of highly experienced and skilled associates.

David Bass

Director of EDI
,
Advance HE
David Bass
David is responsible for providing organisational leadership in Advance HE’s work on EDI, both internally and externally.

Dr Ruth Gilligan

Deputy Director of Inclusive Institutions
,
Advance HE
Dr Ruth Gilligan
Dr Ruth Gilligan is Deputy Director of Inclusive Institutions at Advance HE. She is responsible for the strategic leadership of the Athena Swan Charter for gender equality and the Race Equality Charter which operate in the UK and internationally

Baljit Birring

Senior Consultant, Inclusive Leadership
,
Advance HE
Baljit Birring
Baljit Birring is a dynamic and values-driven Senior Consultant for Inclusive Leadership at Advance HE, where she leads flagship programmes including She Leads, the Diversifying Leadership Programme, and the Inclusive Leadership Programme. A creative strategist, experienced leader, and executive coach, she is committed to transforming leadership cultures and embedding equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into the heart of organisations.

Dr Elliott Spaeth

Senior Consultant in Inclusive Education
,
Advance HE
Elliott Spaeth
Dr Elliott Spaeth is a visionary leader in the field of Inclusive Practice in Higher Education, with a particular focus on empowering staff to create psychologically safe environments for disabled and/or neurodivergent students.

Robiu Salisu

Senior Consultant, EDI
,
Advance HE
Photo of Advance HE consultant, Robiu Salisu
Robiu Salisu is a Senior Consultant, EDI at Advance HE and has demonstrable experience in delivering training and insights on a variety of topics including; Belonging, Inclusive Leadership, Student-Staff Engagement and Partnership, Freedom of Speech and Community Cohesion.
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Project Success Stories

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Useful resources and links

Equality in higher education: statistical reports
Every year, Advance HE’s Research team produces a series of statistical reports on equality for staff and students in UK higher education.

Disabled Students' Commission
This independent and strategic group takes responsibility for advising, informing and influencing higher education providers to improve support for disabled students.

Advance HE Member Project: Good Campus Relations and Freedom of Speech
Helping members to create inclusive institutions and improve campus relations between different groups, whilst supporting and protecting freedom of speech and academic freedom.

Diversity of governors in higher education 2022
The second report into the diversity of HE governors in the UK published by Advance HE reveals insights from our analysis of HESA data looking at the diversity characteristics of governors in UK higher education.

Board Diversity Toolkit
The Toolkit is designed to help member institutions to improve the diversity and inclusivity of their governing bodies, whether as a Secretary, Chair of Governors, Governance and Nominations Committee member, or anyone interested in tackling under-representation and aiming for inclusion at the Board level in the higher education sector.

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Find out more about our services to support equality, diversity and inclusion

Complete the form to find out more about our consultancy and enhancement services in the area of equality, diversity and inclusion. Upon completion, we will send you an information pack and will be in touch within two working days.


You can also choose to sign up to our email list to receive the latest news, reports and research from around the sector, information on Advance HE services and awards that can support you in your role.

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