UCU-Led UH EDI Strategy Consultation Meeting Wednesday 25th June 10am

Background

Members may be aware that the University’s EDI office is currently consulting the University community on UH’s EDI strategy.  The EDI office has offered colleagues an opportunity to share their views and lived experiences around equality, diversity, and inclusion at the University. There was an online survey (which gave a broad picture of staff and student priorities) which has already closed; and focus groups are being run to allow for more in-depth exploration of key themes.

Purpose

Some members have expressed their concerns around anonymity and confidentiality, sharing that this often stops them from participating in university- wide research.  As such, we, as your Union, have asked to hold a separate meeting for all members who want to share their lived-experiences, thoughts and ideas around EDI issues in a ‘safer’ space.  The Union will use this meeting to gather anonymised information and pass it onto the EDI office.

Your valuable comments will be passed on to the EDI

Please note that although comments will be anonymised, the online meeting by its very nature cannot be confidential.  Other UCU members will hear your contributions, but we will ask all attending members to respect each other’s confidentiality and not share what is said, and by whom, outside the meeting.  The shared information will be in the form of key themes identified from the meeting, and only non-identifiable, anonymised quotes will be typed up and sent to the EDI office.

We are hoping the meeting’s discussion will help feed into the EDI office’s better understanding of systemic barriers and bring forward opportunities for lasting, meaningful change.  It is therefore important that as a member you attend the meeting to give your input on EDI issues and any ideas you may have for improvement.  Your views will play a vital role as we also want UH to shape a strategy that is inclusive, representative, and meaningful to the diverse university community.

Meeting details

This discussion will be held online on Wednesday the 25th June from 10:00. It will be guided by members of the UCU branch committee, covering UH’s mission/vision, inclusion, belonging, equity barriers and your ideas for improvement.

If you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to contribute your ideas please email:

Dr Pfavai Nyajeka: –  p.nyajeka@herts.ac.uk  (UCU Equality Officer)