7. Inclusive Committees: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Agreed Minimum Targets for Committee Members

The University positively seeks diverse nominations for committees which reflect the composition of our University community in relation to race and nationality, religion or belief, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, age and disability.

Diverse groups make better and more inclusive decisions as they bring together people with a wider range of skills, lived experiences and perspectives.

  1. The University has agreed minimum targets of 40% female and 15% racialised minority representation on University committees. The agreed EDI targets are based on initial priorities for committee diversity and are a first step. The minimum target of 40% female members is derived from the Committee of University Chairs Code. The minimum target of 15% racialised minority members is derived from our Race Equality Charter (REC).
  2. Secretaries and chairs should, as far as possible, actively seek to ensure membership of their committee is in accordance with this policy. Academic staff from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate in committee work by inclusion of committee work in School workload models.
  3. The statement in iv. must be included in all organised calls for nominations to committees and should also be used for calls made by individual committee secretaries.
  4. The University is dedicated to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment – to create better futures, together. Valuing the inclusion of diverse backgrounds, characteristics and opinions within our community is a great strength and is key to our pursuit of delivering educational excellence, enterprise, research and professional services.

    Currently people from minoritised groups, protected characteristics and a diversity of backgrounds are underrepresented in our committees. To ensure greater voice is given to underrepresented groups in decision-making we have committed to achieving a minimum of 15% committee members from racialised minorities and 40% female.

    We welcome nominations from people from diverse backgrounds and minoritised groups and urge all colleagues to take positive action to help create a more inclusive environment by encouraging and supporting other colleagues to put themselves forwards.