Equality Data and Reports

The University of Cumbria is committed to providing an inclusive environment, where staff, students and visitors are encouraged to be their true self, in order to enhance the individual and collective experience. As a university community, we share the social responsibility of enabling this inclusive environment by valuing, respecting and celebrating difference, to ensure that we generate a sense of understanding and belonging.

In 2020 the university was recognized by the THE Impact Rankings as being in the top 15 in the UK for gender equality, with continued action and good practice developed across all areas of the equality agenda, steered by the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Well-Being Committee. The proactive nature of the committee and continued collaboration and partnership work delivered across the university, displays our desire to have a positive impact, at both a local and global level.

Aligning the equality agenda with our People Strategy and Access and Participation Plan, will support the university to become an employer and education provider of choice, whereby people will see the university as an inclusive provider, resulting in a greater acquisition of diverse talent in all areas, to drive the organisation forward.

We embrace the diversity of our community and do not tolerate discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment (including gender identity), marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex (including gender), sexual orientation, as recognized by the Equality Act 2010. Nor do we tolerate any form of bullying or harassment, actively working against this, whilst promoting and celebrating diversity.

The Equality Act 2010 also requires us to:

• Advance equality of opportunity between different groups.
• Foster good relations between different groups.

In addition we continue to meet the two specific duties to:

• Publish information to show compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty on an annual basis.
• Publish Equality Objectives at least every four years, which are specific and measureable.

To become a more inclusive employer, developing and supporting the diversity of our workforce:

We will accomplish this by:

• Finalising and implementing a university EDI policy that will contribute towards developing an inclusive culture and community for our students, staff and stakeholders
• Achieving a range of external benchmarks including Athena Swan Institutional Bronze, Race Equality (REC) Bronze and Stonewall WEI Bronze
• Maintaining and seeking to improve our UK Top 15 status in the THE Impact Rankings for Gender Equality, in turn developing the global profile of the university
• Engaging with local organisations to collaborate and develop on key equality themes, to support and reflect our university community

To enhance the experience and achievement of our students in a learning community which recognises and values diversity.

We will achieve this by:

• Using the APP 2020-25 as the focus for action to improve equality of access and opportunity for students from underrepresented groups across the University
• Undertaking outreach and community-focused activity to promote the University as a welcoming and engaging place to study for those from all backgrounds, gender identities, and age groups, and those with or without disability
• Ensuring our admissions processes are seen to operate fairly and transparently for all applicants
• Taking positive action to make our support services welcoming, responsive and accessible to students from underrepresented groups
• Working in collaboration with UCSU on the programme of student activity linked to the EDIW schedule of events, and to support the establishment of Liberation groups 
• Promoting equality of opportunity through accessibility training and resources to equip and enable staff to develop fully inclusive curricula and approaches to learning, teaching and assessment