ECU's work in 2009

ECU has announced an ambitious programme of projects for 2009 aimed at supporting the higher education sector to promote equality for staff and students. New areas include an investigation into the male student experience in subjects where men are under-represented and guidance on sensory audits of the campus to support disabled staff and students.

Developing an authoritative evidence base

Several projects are aimed at developing an authoritative evidence base for equality and diversity:

• Distribution of HESA statistics, disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, age and disability
• Investigating the equality implications of the Research Assessment Exercise 2008 on behalf of HEFCE
• Research into the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans staff and students
• Piloting interventions to improve staff disclosure of equality data
• Research into support provided to male students in education, social work, and other subjects where men are under-represented
• Joint project with HESA to develop Heidi Equality - a tool to manage equality data

Supporting effective practice

Projects to support higher education institutions to implement effective practice and to ensure compliance with equality legislation:

• Guidance on the implications of the Equality Bill and advice on conducting equality impact assessments
• Exploring methods of integrating equality into the pay review process (Welsh Liaison Group project)
  
• Mapping the impact and sustainability of women's networks and mentoring schemes
  
• Researching the experiences of black and minority ethnic staff, trialling and evaluating initiatives through a Race Forum
• Supporting disabled students through furthering involvement, increasing awareness of disability in personal development plans and giving guidance on sensory audits of the campus
• A series of briefings and case studies on reconciling academic/management requirements and religious observance

Institutional change

Work with professional groups, networks and agencies to implement inclusive and sustainable policies and practices:

• Developing practical guidance on the equality impact of work placements
• Developing initiatives to address the impact of ethnicity on degree attainment
• Guidance on procurement agreements that embed equality principles and standards
• Exploring the intersection between internationalisation and equality
• Continued management, with UK Resource Centre for Women, of the Athena SWAN recognition scheme for women in science
• Supporting governing bodies in promoting equality and diversity, through practical guidance produced jointly with the Leadership Foundation

Further information

• Download our programme leaflet

• Have a look at Our projects for further information on specific areas of our work