Inclusive Institutions Framework

The Challenge

The higher education community has a duty to tackle discrimination and advance equality and has additional commitments to a range of other equality-related priorities, such as widening participation.
With different regulatory frameworks, duties and drivers, activities relating to individual strands of equality have naturally become fragmented and, in some cases, siloed.

Additionally, global HE is facing unprecedented financial pressures driven by increasing costs, leading to reductions in staff, loss of services and challenges to income. The demand for a more holistic approach to EDI has therefore been amplified, in which difficult decisions are being made about EDI resourcing.

Emerging from this context, many executive and senior leaders increasingly feel the range of priorities and lack of a strategic or joined-up approach is inefficient, unsustainable and lacking in desired impact. Some institutions are actively looking for ways to consolidate, streamline and improve EDI activity.

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The Inclusive Institutions Framework

The Inclusive Institutions Framework (IIF) provides a structured, strategic model that brings all aspects of inclusion into one cohesive, evidence‑driven approach.

The IIF is a strategic, robust and externally validated framework designed to help institutions embed inclusion more effectively, sustainably and systemically across their whole organisation.

Developed through extensive consultation and collaboration with institutions in the UK and globally, it supports institutions to move beyond isolated initiatives toward a unified, intersectional, institution‑wide strategy.

Through a clear, developmental process, it helps build strong systems, deepen evidence and insight, prioritise action, and deliver long‑term change with confidence and clarity.

Four Sequential Modules

Institutions work through four interconnected modules, receiving support, feedback and recognition at each stage. The work becomes bite-sized and distributed, with departments and directorates able to engage via an optional complementary toolkit.

Module 1 - Foundations

Review of institutional context, structures, approach and strategies.

Module 2 - Insights

Comprehensive evidence review across the full range of EDI characteristics.

Module 3 - Priorities

Evidence-based priority-setting aligned to institutional context and strategic goals.

Module 4 - Action

Coordinated action planning across the whole institution, eliminating duplication.

The Inclusive Institutions Framework is a strategic, evidence-based approach to EDI that works across all protected characteristics and institutional contexts.
Rather than juggling multiple siloed initiatives — each demanding significant staff time and resources — this is a unified framework that reduces duplication, coordinates activity across the institution, and ensures EDI work is both intersectional and impactful.
The framework enables the demonstration of transparent, coherent progress across the full range of equality considerations whilst actually reducing the resource burden on the organisation.

Dr Ruth E Gilligan (she/her)
Assistant Director – Inclusive Institutions

Why Participate?

Greater Effectiveness

The framework will deliver more effective outcomes through increased intersectionality and collaboration between institutional teams.

Resource Efficiency

The framework will provide greater efficiency and resource savings by supporting prioritisation, eliminating duplication of effort, and coordinating activity across the whole institution.

Transparent, Evidence-Based Progress

Supports institutions to determine their priorities at an institutional level across the full range of EDI and related characteristics in a joined-up, evidence-based and transparent manner that can be communicated in a coherent way.

How it is delivered

The IIF is designed to balance structure and flexibility:

Delivered as an add-on for Advance HE member institutions.
Participation is through cohorts of up to 10 institutions, fostering peer learning and shared insight.
Institutions complete the framework over an initial three-year development period, followed by a five-year award phase focused on evaluation and sustained change.
Advance HE provides guidance and support throughout, aligning with existing frameworks (Athena Swan, Race Equality Charter) to reduce duplication and strengthen coherence.

Inclusive Institutions Framework Executive Summary View Document

FAQ’s

Is this replacing Athena Swan or the Race Equality Charter?

No. The IIF complements and aligns with existing charters. Institutions can continue using Athena Swan or REC where these remain strategically relevant.

How much internal resource do we need?

The framework is designed to reduce duplication and streamline effort, but institutions will need coordinated engagement from senior leaders, EDI staff and relevant academic/professional teams.

Is it suitable for international institutions?

Yes. The framework explicitly supports institutions across national contexts, with flexibility for different regulatory and cultural environments.

What recognition will we receive?

Institutions receive support and recognition at key stages of each module and a structured award phase following completion.

Can departments participate?

Yes. An optional departmental-level toolkit allows faculties and schools to align their work with institutional priorities without creating additional burden.