Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Back to Academic Essentials homepage
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) aims to provide you with a range of guidance, information and resources relating to EDI teaching, learning and assessment as well as staff support. In the first instance, please use our dedicated search list ‘looking for something in particular’. This provides you with links to the source of content. Wherever there are multiple sources, these will appear on this page. As part of the development of Academic Essentials, we are working with our stakeholders to bring together all multiple sources of content into one place.
The content here has been curated by a range of stakeholders from across both academic and professional services teams and is managed by the Academic Development & Diversity (AD&D) Team. We very much welcome contributions to this resource, suggestions on how we can improve and any other feedback. |
|
Sheffield Hallam University is committed to advancing equality of opportunity, experience and outcome, ensuring that students and staff realise their full potential. This is reflected through the University’s values of inclusion and supportiveness, with equality, diversity and inclusion acting as key enablers to the University Strategy. Here we present the wide range of EDI related guidance and information for all staff at Hallam. |
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at Sheffield Hallam
Sheffield Hallam University has been named University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards in recognition of its work to advance social mobility through higher education (HE). Add the logo to your university email signature. | ![]() |
Equalities Act, policies and regulations
The Equality Act 2020 outlines the nine protected characteristics and the Equality and Human Rights Council (EHRC) provide guidance on further and higher education and further and higher education technical guidance. Take a look at:
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Regulations, covering:
- student pregnancy/maternity.
- student disability/health.
- religious equality.
- sexual orientation equality.
- HROD
- Staff equality, diversity and inclusion policies and information.
- Staff EDI Networks for our staff and student community.
- University EDI champions – the University Leadership Team (ULT) are all involved in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Each of them has taken on a lead area and alongside championing initiatives and programmes of work, they will share their own experiences and be accountable for progress in that area.
- glossary and A-Z of Inclusive Language
- Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) for analysing policies and practices.
- EDI Committee Structure with associated steering groups.
- HROD: Mentoring Scheme – U-Connect Diversity Mentoring Scheme.
- My Hallam – help and support for our student community.
- Office for Students: Equality, diversity and student characteristics data – published 7th June 2022
A-Z of EDI resources and guidance
Building an Inclusive Teaching and Learning Culture
We see ourselves as being part of, and supporting colleagues within, a community which brings together all stakeholders to consider the shared goals and common interests of inclusion and belonging. Our role is primarily aimed at building on and developing sector-leading, transdisciplinary approaches to enhancing teaching excellence and an excellent student experience.
We aim to think inclusively in relation to everything we do and through embedding the outcomes this into our practice we will spread and grow a culture of inclusive thinking more widely. We produce and collate resources to support staff in taking their own development forward.
Select one of the following titles for more information.
|
|
Accessibility
|
|
Degree Awarding Gap
The Degree Awarding Gap website has been designed to help you to understand more about the degree awarding gap, also called the degree attainment gap, between white and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BME students), the causes of the gap, and what can be done to reduce and then eradicate the gap.
Also visit Race Equity below.
Disability
Staff support
The HROD: Disability in Employment SP site provides information and support on disability for all employees and managers and we encourage employees who have a disability or long term health condition to read our range of employee guidance and talk to their line manager about any support they may need to help them carry out their role.
Visit the Staff Disability Network website (SPARK) for more details on support for staff.
Student Support
SHU’s Disabled Student Support Team recommends reasonable adjustments through the provision of learning contracts and the delivery of specialist services. They play a key role in raising awareness of the legal obligation to anticipate the support requirements of disabled students and we promote the development of Inclusive Practice. Visit:
- SAS/DSST: disabilities and support SP site which has a wide range of information and guidance.
- Academic Essentials: Course and Module Delivery overview page for staff guidance on Learning Contract guidance and resources.
- AD&D: academic development pathways for a range of disability-related events and activities.
External Resources
Advance HE:
- Have published the second annual report on behalf of the Disabled Student’s Commission. Enhancing the disabled student experience reviews outputs over 2021-22 and highlights the impact of the advice and guidance published, as well as setting out the Commission’s objectives for 2022-23.
- Advance HE’s membership and benefits overview page for more details.
- Guide Dogs: sighted guiding training. Teaches you how to guide a person with sight loss, with confidence, skill and empathy. Much like learning how to perform first aid, sighted guiding is a useful life skill. It will give you the confidence to know how to act when you meet someone who is blind or partially sighted, and the guiding techniques to help them if they need it.
Gender Equality |
Ensuring that we have a genuine, abiding and enduring commitment visit HROD: Gender Equality SP site for details of working practices which are a fundamental part of our culture.
Athena Swan
This also includes our commitment to achieving our Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Bronze Award. Look at:
- HROD: Staff engagement surveys for the September 2022 Athena Swan Culture Survey.
- Our Advance HE’s membership and benefits page for more details.
Visit one of the following resources to learn more:
Bisexual
Welcome to HROD: Bi Visibility Day SP site. Bisexual is the umbrella term to describe a romantic and/or sexual attraction to more than one gender. Other terms under this umbrella include, but are not limited to: bisexual, pansexual and queer. Being bisexual should not be confused with being attracted to both men and women.
LGBTQ+
Welcome to HROD: LGBTQ+ home at Hallam SP site – a place to celebrate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and other related identities, raise awareness and promote equality in this area.
- HROD Pride SP site – June is Pride month.
- HROD: Lesbian Visibility Day – 26th April SP site.
- HROD: LGBT+ History Month – staff guidance SP site – how you can get involved with HROD: LGBTQ+ History Month (SP site).
- Pearn Kandola, a business-psychology consultancy which has range of resources and webinars.
Pansexuality
Pan Visibility Day is on May 24th and is a day to celebrate and recognize those who identify as pansexual. Visit HROD Pansexuality Visibility Day SP site for more details.
Trans
- Trans awareness week: 13th – 19th November – is internationally recognised to help raise the visibility of trans people, their experiences and the issues that they may face. Visit HROD: Trans Awareness Week SP site for more details.
- Trans Visibility Day: 31st March – a day dedicated to raising awareness of the discrimination faced by trans communities but also celebrating the successes of trans people across the world. Visit HROD International Day of Trans Visibility SP site for more details.
- Trans student policy – If you are approached by a student asking about formally changing their name and/or gender on SITS as part of their gender identity journey please visit Academic Services: Trans Student Requests – SITS system changes SP site for guidance. Contact the relevant Academic Services Systems and Reporting Manager who will be able to advise you on what the student needs to provide (the student may have already discussed this with their Student Support Adviser).
- Trans staff policy – Read our dedicated HROD: Trans Staff Policy – October 2021 for more details.
Trans 101 (PDF): prepared by Learnest CIC following a trans awareness session at Hallam, a guide to trans in terms of terminology, the law and ally ship.
UN Women
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence: is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
IDAS: free webinars to mark 16 Days of Action.
Inclusive Hallam
It’s aim is to make clear the University’s commitment to advancing equality of opportunity, experience and outcome at Sheffield Hallam. To position the University as a leader in addressing society’s most challenging equality, diversity and inclusion issues and to promote a culture of action, both individually and corporately, inspiring and encouraging people to make positive practical changes. Take a look at:
- Visit SHU: Inclusive Hallam events and activities website for details of upcoming activities.
- Visit SHU: Inclusive Hallam events and activities website for details of past activities.
- Visit HROD: Inclusive Hallam Champions Network SP site for details of their brand new initiative building on feedback themes from the staff surveys about the importance of promoting a positive working environment and inclusive culture.
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (IWD) in a globally recognised celebration of the achievements and contributions of women to society, as well as the opportunity to renew our commitment to women’s equality, raise awareness of societal challenges, and tackle pay and other inequalities. Visit:
- HROD: March 2022: International Women’s Day SP site for staff information.
- February 2022: HROD: Celebrating women and girls in science SP site.
- International Women’s Day 2021 – Inclusive Employers.
- HROD: Gender SP site for information and resources.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health Awareness Week: May 2022 – for Mental Health Awareness Week this year, we’re raising awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental health and the practical steps we can take to address it. Visit the Mental Health Foundation website for more details.
For more details visit our HROD: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) networks for staff and students SharePoint site and the range of EDI networks which provide a safe, welcoming space for people to meet, share ideas and support each other.
- Academic Essentials: Supporting our Students overview page – for resources on supporting student’s mental health and wellbeing
- Advance HE membership benefits: Education for Mental Health Toolkit – whereby you can download the toolkit, staff development and case studies.
- Academic Essentials: academic induction, roles, work planning and careers framework overview page – staff wellbeing section.
Neurodiversity |
Inclusive Hallam
Watch their recent session titled ‘Neurodiversity and Me, with Bea Marshall’
If you’d like to explore further in terms of your personal journey with neurodiversity, or if you recognise that your own neurodivergence means you struggle more than you thrive in your work, relationships, parenting and life in general then Bea would love to support you. Bea offers both private one-to-one sessions and other ways of working with her. Find out more at www.beamarshall.com
In Conversation: Staff and Student Neuro-divergent Voices
Helen Baxter, a degree apprenticeship student in Occupational Therapy, has developed a series of podcasts about the lived experiences of neuro-divergent staff and neuro-divergent students. The aim is to educate and raise awareness of neurodiversity and the implications for teaching and learning.
World Autism Awareness Week
World Autism Acceptance Week: 27th March to 2nd April 2023! Join in supporting over 700,000 autistic people in the UK. National Autistic Society: join their spectrum colour challenge and spectrum colour walks.
ADHD
Brought to you by Enabling Opportunities, a series of videos from the International ADHD Conference 2022. All videos can be accessed using the password: EnablingOps2-22.
Autistic Research Network North (ARNN)
ARNN is a new community to bring autistic academics and researchers together across the north of England so they have a safe space to support one another but also to share ideas around research and events.
- Our Twitter page is @autism_north
- The best way to join is to contact Claire Aubrey, Senior Lecturer, Health Simulation, University of Cumbria claire.aubrey@cumbria.ac.uk.
Members are asked to identify as autistic but do not have to be conducting research into autism.
Equity at work
Fast Company: Neurodiversity is critical for innovation in the workplace (website). Autistic creativity has shaped modern culture. Neurodivergent talent might be the key to invention at your company.
Race Equality |
Welcome to HROD: Race Equality SP site. Here we host a range of information, resources and support for all staff at Hallam, outlining our commitment to Race Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as ensuring that there is a safe space and hub of resources so that together we can improve our knowledge, awareness and understanding.
For teaching, learning and assessment practice visit the Degree Awarding Gap website.
|
![]() |
Religion / Belief and Cultural Festivals |
- HROD: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion host a range of information and resources that celebrate diversity and culture. You can also view their Cultural Calendar for more details.
- Tackling antisemitism: practical guidance for universities – a Universities UK guide – June 2021.
Last updated: 15th March 2023 NB |