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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Academic Essentials homepage > Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

This section has been curated by a range of stakeholders from across both academic and professional services teams to provide you with guidance and information to support the University’s EDI strategy, along with practical resources to embed inclusive and accessible practices in your teaching, learning and assessment activities.Feedback

This resource is maintained by the Academic Development & Diversity Team on behalf of our stakeholders. If you’d like to become a stakeholder and contribute to this resource, have a suggestion for content or just want to offer feedback, click the feedback button and let us know!

 

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: A Culture of Inclusion​​​​​​​ 

Objectives and awards

​​​​​​​Our Equality Objectives 2021-24 embody the university’s ambition to create a transformational and aspirational culture of inclusion for all students and staff. We are proud of the rich diversity of our Hallam community, and value a culture where every individual can succeed and thrive.
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:

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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. 

Inclusive Pedagogy and Practice

The delivery of a programme of learning can unintentionally present a range of barriers to learning or assessment that affect some students more than others and can result in students being unfairly disadvantaged. Providing an inclusive curriculum aims to minimise or remove these barriers and support the success of all students whilst ensuring that academic standards are not compromised. An inclusive environment for learning anticipates the varied needs of learners and aims to ensure that all students have equal access to educational opportunities through inclusive design. 

Visit the Academic Development & Diversity website > Inclusive Pedagogy and Practice page for a range of support, guidance and resources to support inclusive practices in areas such as:

  • Designing and inclusive curriculum: exemplars
  • 10 Degrees of Change
  • EDI Networks: Community of Inclusive Practice – join us!
  • Staff Handbooks: Staff guide to student inclusion handbook
  • Supporting your Departments Inclusion and Anti-Racist ambitions
  • Supporting the Institutional approach to the degree awarding gap: #DecolHallam: belonging, inclusion and equity / Supporting minoritised student groups (SMSG) / Equity Accomplice Programme
  • Resources – making your materials accessible and inclusive to all.  

 

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Assessment and Feedback 

Visit our dedicated Assessment Essentials website for information, guidance and resources to create accessible and inclusive assessment and feedback strategies.

Academic Development & Events (CPD)

Working with Hallam staff to build confidence, capability and capacity to ensure all our students have a distinctive learning experience provided through an inclusive and applied curriculum. 

 

Accessibility 

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Black History Month

Visit HROD’s Black Inclusion Week page for more details. 

Cultural Calendar

The Cultural Calendar has been developed to help raise awareness and celebrate the diverse cultural backgrounds of our community at Sheffield Hallam University.  It is also a practical tool which will help with planning meetings, exams or events when a portion of staff and students may be unavailable.  

All cultural development and events are advertised through Academic Essentials > Events section. 

Darwin Day 2022

Darwin Day is a celebration to commemorate the birthday of Charles Darwin on 12 February 1809. The day is used to highlight Darwin’s contributions to science and to promote science in general. Darwin Day is celebrated around the world. 

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. 

Digital Accessibility

As an increasing amount of content moves to ​​​​​​​being hosted online it has never been more important to ensure it is accessible to as many students and staff as possible. ​​​​​​​It is all our responsibilities to learn more and make accessibility part of our every day practice.

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Digital Capability

Disability In Employment

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. Staff disability network

Visit the Staff Disability Network website (SPARK) for more details on support for staff. 

Disability History Month

​​​​​​​Disability History Month has taken place every year since 2010 and aims to create a platform to focus on the history of disabled peoples’ struggle for equality and human rights. Take a look at HROD: Disability in Employment SP site for information and resources.

Disabled Student Support

Disabled Student Support recommends reasonable adjustments through the provision of learning contracts and the delivery of specialist services. We 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. 

Disabled Students' Commission

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Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling. It’s a specific learning difficulty, which means it causes problems with certain abilities used for learning, such as reading and writing. It’s estimated up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia. 

Equality Impact Assessments (EIA)

The HROD: Equality Impact Assessment tool is used to analyse policies and practices. Its aim is to ensure that such policies and practices do not disadvantage or discriminate against any individual or group with protected characteristics. An EIA can also be used to identify ways to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between groups. 

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.

This also includes our commitment to achieving our Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Bronze Award.  Look at our Advance HE’s membership and benefits overview page for more details.

Visit one of the following resources to learn more:

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. 

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 Visibility Day is on 31st March and is 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.  

Holocaust Memorial Day

January 27th is the internationally recognised as a day for remembering The Holocaust, and genocides around the world. It is an occasion everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. Visit HROD: Holocaust Memorial Day SP site for more details. 

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:

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International Students

SAS: International Experience Team SP site provides details of how we aim to provide an international experience to all students on campus. Visit Academic Essentials: Supporting our Students overview page for guidance, information and resources to support your international students. 

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:

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental Health FoundationMental 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. 

National Inclusion Week

Held each year during September/October to share promote and inspire your inclusion practices and culture: together, we will build and develop the inclusion momentum, everyday. 

  • Friday 27th September – Sunday 3rd October 2021 –  #UnitedForInclusion. 
  • Monday 28th September – Sunday 4th October 2020 – Each One, Reach One.

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 students. The aim is to educate and raise awareness of neurodiversity and the implications for teaching and learning.

Autistic Research Network North (ARNN)

ARNNARNN 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.

Members are asked to identify as autistic but do not have to be conducting research into autism.

Parent and Carer Network

The Parent and Carer Network (SP site) at Sheffield Hallam University aims to help working parents and carers maximise their potential and to drive positive change within the university.  Any staff member who is a parent and/or a carer* can join the network.  

*A carer is anyone who looks after or supports someone who is elderly, disabled, seriously ill (mentally or physically) and who is unable to fully care for themselves. It also includes anyone who has formal responsibility for a child under the age of 16. 

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 section above.

Race Equality Charter

Reading Lists Online (RLOs)

Visit Academic Essentials: Supporting our Students overview page – for all your inclusive RLO information.   

Religion / Belief and Cultural Festivals

HROD: Ramadan (SP site)
Is the Holy Month and the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, during which time Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. It lasts 29 or 30 days depending upon sightings of the moon.		 HROD: Eid Mubarak (SP site)
Eid-al-Fitr, or The Feast of Fast-Breaking, is the celebration which marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadan (SP site), during which time Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset to recall the revealing of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammed.
 
HROD: Vaisakhi (SP site)
Also pronounced Baisakhi, is a religious festival observed annually by Sikhs to celebrate the founding of the Sikh community, the Khalsa, in 1699. It takes place on either 13 or 14 April each year, and also marks the start of the solar new year in the Hindi Vikram Samvat calendar.		 HROD: Ridván (SP site)
Is a twelve day festival (also known as the ‘Most Great Festival’, and marks the days that s Baha’u’llah’s time in the garden of Ridvan. This happened on the outskirts of Baghdad in 1863, where He publicly declared His station as a Manifestation of God. According to the Badi (Baha’i) calendar, the festival takes place from 13 Jalal (the month of Glory) until 5 Jamal (the month of Beauty).
 
HROD: Shrove Tuesday (SP site)
(Pancake Day) is the day before the Christian festival of Lent begins. It is observed through participating in confession and absolution, the ritual burning of the previous year’s Holy Week palms, finalising one’s Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes and other sweets. 		 HROD: Ash Wednesday (SP site)
Marks the start of the holy period of Lent, when Christians are invited, for forty days, to find time for prayer and fasting. The season is dedicated to spiritual growth as we prepare to commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus Christ and the celebration of his resurrection at Easter. These six weeks mirror the amount of time that Jesus spent in the desert to fast and pray.
 
HROD: Passover (SP site)
This is a weeklong observance commemorating the Exodus after generations of slavery in Egypt. This event is central to Jewish identity. Also known as Pesach, it is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays worldwide and begins with a symbolic ritual feast known as a Seder. 		 HROD: Easter Sunday: Resurrection Sunday (SP site)
Is a Christian festival and holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day after his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent (or Great Lent), a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance.
 
HROD: Holi (SP site)
Known as the “Festival of Spring” and “Festival of Colours”, is the Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It is celebrated on the last full moon day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month, which usually falls in early March. Holi is best known for its celebrations which involve throwing powder paints and coloured water.		 HROD: Celebrating Vesak (SP site)
 Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and death of the historical Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama).  Although this day is mostly celebrated by Theravada Buddhists, there will be many Buddhist across the world joining in the celebration today.  This day is often celebrated with much colour and joy. Homes are often cleaned and decorated and those celebrating would congregate at temples offering flowers, candles and burning incense.   
 
HROD: Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (SP site)
The Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh takes place from the evening of 29th May. Bahá’u’lláh was the herald of the Baha’i faith.
  

 

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Last updated: 17th May 2022 NB