Our bespoke equality audits are designed to help institutions identify where the challenges lie and what works within their own context. These audits not only provide institutions with an overview of how equality and diversity are perceived and experienced in general, but also allow institutions the opportunity to sensitively explore equality characteristics which may have historically received less attention (such as sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion/belief).
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Find out more about how the audits work and how they can benefit your institution
Equality Audits infographic
The bespoke research questions
The research questions detailed are an example of the topics addressed in this work, but additional topics or concerns can be explored depending on the institution’s requirements.
- How do staff and/or students perceive and experience equality and diversity at the institution? Do these differ according to staff and/or students’ ethnicity, gender or other protected characteristics?
- What do staff and/or students perceive as the key equality and diversity challenges for the institution? And what do they feel the institution is doing well?
- How does the institution fare in terms of the diversity of its staff and/or students compared with national figures and similar institutions?
- With regard to recruitment and promotion, how do the institution’s actions and initiatives compare to those employed by Silver and Gold UK Athena SWAN award holders?
- What does Advance HE recommend to address the equality and diversity challenges identified?
Structure
Depending on the needs of the institution, Advance HE will: (i) conduct interviews or focus groups with a cross-section of staff and/or students; (ii) administer a self-audit of recruitment and promotion initiatives currently employed within the institution; (iii) survey staff and/or students on their perceptions and experience of equality within their institution.
Stage one: Needs assessment and project planning
An Advance HE Researcher will schedule a preliminary meeting to discuss your specific needs, which research questions are relevant to your institution and any additional issues or questions that you would like addressed. Based on this discussion, the Researcher will draft a research proposal outlining the project’s method (eg use of focus groups and/or interviews, whether to include a survey, etc) along with a timeline and estimated budget.
Stage two: Recruitment and data collection
After reviewing the project proposal, institutions will be provided with recruitment materials (such as cover letters, consent forms, and so on) to distribute to eligible staff and/or students. For focus groups and interviews, those interested in participating will be asked to contact the Researcher directly to maintain their anonymity. Surveys will be online and linked directly in the recruitment materials provided. If included, a representative from the institution will be asked to complete the self-audit assessment regarding recruitment and promotion initiatives.
Stage three: Data analysis and synthesis into a final report
The analytical approach applied will depend on the type of data collected. Most likely, we will have adopted a mixed method approach that will require quantitative analysis of survey data, as well as inductive, thematic analysis of focus group and interview data. All analyses will be summarised in a cohesive, individualised report for the institution. The final report will not only address the research aims, but also highlight what institutions are getting right and which areas may need improving.
Although findings in this report should inform future equality and diversity work, responses to recommendations made in this report will not necessarily result in an Athena SWAN or Race Equality Charter award for the institution or departments.
If desired, the Researcher can present the findings to relevant staff at the institution in the form of a workshop.
Why Advance HE?
Advance HE is well-positioned to undertake this work in terms of our organisational features, understanding and experience, and project team capabilities.
Our Research team is experienced in undertaking quantitative and qualitative research and analysis, particularly with a view to understanding, identifying and embedding impactful equality practices in HE and research.
We possess a wide array of expertise in cross-sectional, longitudinal, and experimental research designs, using a variety of methods including surveys, focus groups, interviews, case studies, and systematic reviews.
