LibGuides: Accessibility and inclusivity: Cambridge libraries toolkit: Equality and Diversity at the University

Introduction

The University of Cambridge is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity.

Information about Equality & Diversity at the University is available on the Cambridge University Equality, Diversity & Inclusion website.

Our equality duties under the Equality Act (2010)

The Equality Act (2010) protects people from discrimination, harassment and victimisation because of certain protected characteristics. Our public equality duties as a University, and the nine protected characteristics, are set out on the University’s Equality & Diversity website.

The Equality Act (2010) requires the University to publish equality information and reports to demonstrate our compliance with the equality duty.

Our duties extend beyond current students and staff to any member of the public who uses our services and facilities.

Policies, Codes of practice etc.

EDI Networks for Students

Cambridge SU Black & Minority Ethic (BME) Campaign
Represents, supports, and advocates for all BME students at the University of Cambridge.
Cambridge SU Class Act Campaign
For all students who have faced (or are facing) any kind of social, educational, cultural or economic disadvantage.
Cambridge SU Disabled Students Campaign
Made up of all Cam students who have or have had a disability, as well as the DSC committee including the full time Disabled Students’ Officer, and college and campaign DSOs
Cambridge SU International Students Campaign
Represents, campaigns for and runs events for international students. It is also the umbrella body for all international societies and students in Cambridge University.
Cambridge SU LGBT+ Campaign
Aims to bring more visibility to issues related to gender-neutrality, and to provide resources to help student representatives push for change in colleges and faculties
Cambridge SU Women's Campaign (WomCam)
Supports and represents all women students, including (if they wish) those whose gender identity includes 'woman', at Cambridge University.

EDI Networks for Staff

University networks

Diversity networks are open to people who work for the University, a college or an associated institution and are members of a protected group.

The following list is not exhaustive.

Disabled Staff Network
For disabled staff or those with a long-term health condition who work for the University, colleges and other associated institutions
LGBT+ Staff Network
For all individuals who work for the University, a College or an associated institution, who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender
Race Equality Network
Community for staff members who self-identify as being from a racial minority ethnic background and/or who have an interest in the topic of race
SPACE (Supporting Parents & Carers @ Cambridge)
Support and information for members of the University with caring responsibilities for children or other dependents
Women's Staff Network
Open to all staff who self-identify as women working for the University, a College or an associated institution

Library networks

Libraries Accessibility Discussion Yammer Group
A group for Cambridge library staff to discuss accessibility and disability issues.

University Equality Champions

Each School and Institution within the University has two Equality Champions. There are also Champions with specific areas of responsibility including LGBT+, Gender equality, Race & inclusion and Wellbeing.

Training in EDI

Cambridge PPD: Valuing Everyone & Mutual Respect courses
Internal courses offered by PPD including topics such as dismantling racism and demonstrating mutual respect
Cambridge University Equality & Diversity online training
E&D Essentials online module designed to reflect the needs of the University
Cambridge University Understanding Implicit Bias online training
Course which allows you to think about situations where your own unconscious bias might affect your ability to make objective decisions or judgements
LinkedIn Learning: Diversity & Inclusion courses
Expert-led courses on Diversity and Inclusion. Sign in with your Cambridge University email address.

Access & Participation

Access & Participation at the University

The University and its Colleges are committed to widening participation to higher education.

Access & Participation plans and impact reports
Each year, the University of Cambridge sets out how it intends to attract and support students in applying to and studying at the University of Cambridge
Access & Participation outreach projects
Hundreds of outreach initiatives and events run each year both in Cambridge and in schools and colleges across the UK
Cambridge Centre for Teaching & Learning (CCTL): Mind the Gap toolkit
A toolkit intended as a briefing for all those interested in understanding the awarding gaps experienced by some cohorts of students and the University's commitment to eliminating these awarding gaps. Includes information about the deficit model

Access & Participation in Cambridge libraries

Resources provided by CUL to support Access & Participation.

Unlocking libraries: Access & Participation with Cambridge University Libraries LibGuide
The Unlocking Libraries Project aims to help University of Cambridge Schools Liaison Officers (SLOs) and Access Officers, as well as interested school teachers, find out more about the Access & Participation support available from Cambridge libraries

Other Initiatives

There are many other initiatives across the Collegiate University which exist to support the EDI agenda. The following are some examples:

Faith and Belief in Practice
University initiative that seeks to increase awareness and understanding of religious and belief communities in the University
Festival of Wellbeing
University Diversity Fund
Supports initiatives across the University that aim to challenge discrimination and inequalities, increase the representation of under-represented groups, raise awareness of issues related to equality, diversity and inclusion, and facilitate implementation of good practice at the University
Women in Science Engineering & Technology Initiative (WiSETI)
A positive action initiative at the University of Cambridge that promotes and supports women from Undergraduate level to Professor, in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) subject areas

Cambridge LibGuides

Accessibility and inclusivity: Cambridge libraries toolkit