Policy, Planning and Governance

CURRICULUM REFORM DELIVERING ON EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Mrs Janine ChalmersEquality & Diversity Adviser

Policy, Planning and Governance

Legal Duties

• The University has a legal duty not to discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion/belief or age.

• The University has a legal duty to promote equality of opportunity.

• The University has a legal duty to assess the impact of our policies and practices on different groups.

Policy, Planning and Governance

Embedding Equality

• Reform proposals present opportunity to embed equality.

• Integrated approach through Teaching and Learning.

• First report – Graduate Attributes ‘Readiness for Life’.

• Teachability and Race Equality Toolkit.

• Assessing the equality impact of proposals

Policy, Planning and Governance

Promoting Equality of Opportunity

• Legislation places duty on Higher Education not just to prevent discrimination but to promote equality of opportunity.

Policy, Planning and Governance

Other Drivers

• Increasingly diverse student body.

• Attracting academics from across the world.

• Proving that we are serious about equality

• Prevent problems arising in the future

• Strategic aim – Top 100.

Policy, Planning and Governance

How to do it

• High profile initiatives demonstrate clear commitment to equality.

• Academics equipped to spot opportunities.

• Student and staff support mechanisms.

• Curriculum content and structure, including impact assessment.

Policy, Planning and Governance

Impact Assessment• An equality impact assessment is a detailed and systematic

analysis of the potential or actual effects of a policy or practice to ascertain whether it has a differential impact on identifiable groups of people.

• Duty to anticipate impact on equality groups.

• Legal duty to undertake impact assessments in relation to race, disability and gender. University Strategy incorporates age, religion and sexual orientation.

• Must assess all new policies and practices.

• Duty to consult with relevant stakeholders.

Policy, Planning and Governance

Differences in Outcome

• Does one group face increased difficulty as a result of the proposals?

• Will there be a lower participation rate by equality groups?

• Are benefits disproportionately reduced for one group?

Policy, Planning and Governance

• If adverse impact is detected how can it be eliminated?

• Amend the proposals and re-assess.

• Also an opportunity to highlight good practice.

Policy, Planning and Governance

At each stage of the process:

• Embed principles of equality.

• Promote equality through Teaching and Learning.

• Assess the implications for equality groups and act on findings.

• Contact: janine.chalmers@abdn.ac.uk 01224 273883