Advance HE’s annual EDI Conference, in conjunction with the biannual Scottish conference and supported by the Scottish Funding Council, kicked off virtually today (16 March).
The first of Advance HE’s conferences to be postponed when the UK Covid-19 crisis hit in March 2020, the three-day event is held virtually from 16-18 March.
Alison Johns, Chief Executive at Advance HE, welcomed delegates to the first day of the conference which has a focus on the Scottish higher education sector. Courageous conversations and adventurous approaches: Creative thinking in tackling inequality has a daily packed programme put together with the help and support of the sector and those working in equality, diversity and inclusion roles and split into three themes: breaking taboos, leading change and positive action.
Alison expressed her thanks and appreciation to the SFC for its financial support and for its help finding the right people to bring the Scottish element together, supporting more than 100 Scottish colleagues to attend today. She said, “I think that as equality, diversity and inclusion becomes more embedded in our institutions’ values and strategy and becomes more of a measure of the student experience, it’s very interesting to see how institutional interest in these creative responses in tackling these inequalities is growing.”
Following the developments of the past year with Covid-19, Alison said there is an even greater need to have courageous conversations about how to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion.
Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Higher Education, Further Education and Science, Scotland opened Day One of the Scottish-themed virtual conference. He highlighted some government initiatives to advance EDI in higher education and praised Advance HE for its “terrific work” along with the support of the SFC. He said, “Adopting a collaborative cross- sector approach, Advance HE has made a very significant amount of progress in addressing persistent inequalities and identifying appropriate national equality outcomes, measuring frameworks and reducing bureaucratic burden so that our colleges and universities can devote more time and energy to taking action.”
Jackie Galbraith, Principal and Chief Executive at West Lothian College, provided a focus on leading with vision and empathy to achieve EDI at colleges in Scotland. Jackie shared the approach and challenges at West Lothian which is a significant provider of higher education in Scotland, particularly in widening access and participation. She demonstrated the Colleges’ desire to be recognised and accredited externally and how the leadership team uses its data with empathy.
Professor Pamela Gillies, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Glasgow Caledonian University joined to talk about leading change in EDI and highlighted Advance HE’s Tackling Racism on Campus project which engaged 44 colleges and universities across Scotland to sign up to the landmark declaration against racism. Professor Gillies said EDI is an essential component of wellbeing and that it is extremely important that governors understand how to take courageous conversations forward.
Missed out on our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Conference 2021? Find out more about our other EDI programmes and events
Advance HE has a number of support resources, designed to help your institution understand the common issues in further and higher education to design inclusive support services, develop accessible campus environments and make everyone feel welcome. Click here for more information on our Consultancy and Enhancement Services, which can help develop your institution's policies in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.