From the student awarding gap to the gender pay gap, there is much to address. At a minimum, Boards and committees must deliver assurance to ensure the organisation is meeting EDI related statutory and regulatory requirements. Key to this is building the confidence, knowledge and skills of individuals and groups in the governance system.
Services for Governing Bodies
We can provide tailored services to universities, private providers or further education colleges offering HE to ensure that Governors and governance professionals have the resources they need to promote good governance in their institutions.
Now is the time for us to really put our foot on the equality and equity gas. It’s a shame it’s taken such pain to put issues like this on the map, but if we have transformative change from it, I’ll take that.”
Lord Simon Woolley Director and founder of Operation Black Vote (OBV) Commissioner for race on the Equality and Human Rights Commission Chair of the government’s Race Disparity Unit’s advisory group
The role of Governance in Equality in Higher Education reports, publications and resources
Advance HE has curated a number of resources to support the understanding of the role of Governance in Equality in Higher Education provider. These include guides as to the importance of EDI in higher education, the challenges in supporting the diversity of staff and students, and the responsibilities of the board in overseeing the providers legal and regulatory duties.
The importance and challenges of equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education
The best talent is highly mobile, and institutions perceived as not being diverse, or failing to take EDI seriously, are likely to be avoided by individuals and groups who believe they might be disadvantaged. While some progress has been made in increasing and supporting the diversity of staff and students in higher education, significant challenges remain. Governing bodies need to be aware of the challenges and ensure that they have received appropriate assurance that action is being taken.
Overseeing equality, diversity and inclusion plus questions and resources
Institutions need to be compliant with the legal and regulatory requirements placed on it in relation to EDI. If an institution is found to be non-compliant, it will be exposed to reputational and financial risks. To ensure compliance, governors need to seek assurances from the executive that the institution is delivering on its legal duties and regulatory requirements.
Governing well, with and beyond COVID-19: Governance briefing 2020-21
As part of our Member theme for October 2021, ‘Diversity and inclusion – the critical governance role’ Victoria Holbrook, Assistant Director, Governance and a UK university board member, has written a briefing for all higher education governors and governance professionals. It covers six key areas of focus for governing bodies in 2020-21.
