In June this year, the University launched a Race Equality Review. The review is a wide-ranging piece of work across the University to understand how race and ethnicity affects student and staff experience.  

The Race Equality Review will examine key issues relating to race equality within higher education and which are already subject to ongoing work by the University’s Race Equality Action Team (REACT): differential experience and attainment between white and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students, a curriculum which largely reflects white histories and cultures, representation of people of colour at all levels, staff experience and progression, and the extent to which our culture challenges implicit racial bias. The work will be supported by data, but shaped by lived experience and co-produced with BAME staff and students. 

Race Equality Review – Student survey 

We would like to continue to build on this spirit and invite you to participate in a Race Equality Survey. You do not need to be Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic to participate. Making our University a more inclusive place is the responsibility of each one of us, and you can support this by participating in the survey. Everyone’s views and experiences are welcomed. 

The survey responses will not only inform the Race Equality Review but will also contribute towards a future Race Equality Charter (REC) Mark application. The results will also inform the recommendations of the review and the forward action plan which will follow. We hope you will see your views and ideas reflected within that action plan and will see that we are acting upon the survey results. 

You can access the survey through this link until 23.59 on 26 October. The survey should not take more than 20 minutes to complete, and we encourage you to share details wherever possible. By taking part, you are adding to our knowledge and helping us identify the most important plans to take forward. We hope that you can take the opportunity to add your views and experience to help shape this vital piece of work so we can change things for the better. 

For more information about the survey or the Race Equality Review and our involvement in the Equality Challenge Unit’s REC, please contact Dr Allán Laville, Dean for Diversity & Inclusion at a.laville@reading.ac.uk.