Exploring a holistic approach to equality, diversity and inclusion

Key Updates From The Project

Background 

Advance HE is an organisation that is ‘of and for’ the sector, and we are dedicated to continuously innovating and adapting our efforts to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in higher education, in order to most effectively address the challenges facing our members. This was recognised in our 2021-2024 strategy, wherein we pledged to investigate a holistic approach to EDI. This commitment arises from our members' expressed aspiration to adopt a more strategic and integrated approach, across and beyond the protected characteristics of UK equality legislation. 

What a more holistic approach (or approaches) to EDI work might look like is yet to be determined and Advance HE is keen to do-develop an understanding of what could be effective with our members. A potential approach could, for instance, allow institutions to focus on equalities that have the most impact for them – be it a disability, socio-economic status, poverty, health, wellbeing; it could be a singular focus or combination that suits their context. It could also enable institutions to take a more holistic approach and be more joined up in their equalities work, which may currently be siloed. 

The consultation findings also identified current challenges to alignment across EDI work, the concerns shared by members about the risks of taking a broader approach, and the appetite for embracing a more intersectional and holistic approach – though recognising that there is as yet no shared understanding of what a ‘holistic approach’ would mean in practice. 

The full research report from Newcastle University has now been published and we’d encourage stakeholders to review the data and findings.

Discovery Phase 

Building on the findings of the sector consultation exercise, during the 2023-24 academic year Advance HE will be undertaking a discovery project to explore in more detail how members currently work and how they can be supported in taking a more holistic approach to EDI. The project aims to better understand existing EDI structures and related practice, identify potential mitigations against current challenges and concerns, and develop a proposal of next steps to pilot with the sector. 

In Autumn 2023, we will be reaching out to a representative group of UK members to participate in the discovery phase – aiming to engage with a wide range of institutions of different types, sizes and geographies. The work will include gathering in-depth case studies on EDI practice across institutions, targeted interviews, a data-focused collaborative workshop, and roundtables exploring emerging themes.  

All members will be kept informed of progress and emerging themes, and will be offered opportunities to engage through a series of blogs and roundtable events.