Equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of South Wales (USW) Group is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive community for all colleagues, students, partners and visitors.
We aim to foster a culture where we confront inequities and celebrate diversity through an intersectional lens. Creating an inclusive environment where students and colleagues can be their authentic selves and every person is treated with dignity, fairness and respect.
Our objectives and commitments
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion has been embedded into how we operate as a university. We have identified six main institutional objectives as part of our Strategic Equality Plan 2020-2024:
- To build a culture of inclusion by promoting dignity, respect, fairness and wellbeing within the University and College communities
- To mainstream equality, diversity and inclusion into University and College decision-making, policies, practices and procurement.
- To embed equality, diversity and inclusion into the design and delivery of our curriculum, courses and assessment methods.
- To extend our attractiveness as a university and college of choice for students and staff from diverse backgrounds, cultures and identities.
- To work to increase the accessibility of our IT systems, physical environments and communications.
- To take action to reduce the pay gaps at USW and The College.
Strategic Equality Plan Annual Reports are published by 31 March each year. A separate annual report is produced by each institution in the USW Group - The College Merthyr Tydfil and The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
For further information on the Strategic Equality Plan, please contact: [email protected].
Our equality, diversity and inclusion achievements
Race Equality Charter
In September 2020, USW confirmed its commitment to progress with Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter (REC). This Charter provides a framework through which UK Higher Education institutions demonstrate their commitment to removing institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of Black, Asian and Minority Ethic colleagues and students achieving success.
University of Sanctuary
USW has been awarded University of Sanctuary status. This recognises the University’s commitment to creating a culture of welcome for people seeking sanctuary within, and beyond, its campuses. The Universities of Sanctuary scheme was established in 2017 by City of Sanctuary, a national charity which works to provide places of safety for all. The aim of the scheme is to inspire and support universities to adopt a culture and practice of welcome within their own institutions, in their wider communities, and across the UK Higher Education sector.
Athena Swan
USW has been recognised for its commitment to gender equality by achieving the Athena SWAN Bronze award. Athena SWAN is Advance HE’s gender charter, and acknowledges the actions undertaken by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with relation to gender equality issues.
Stonewall Cymru Diversity Champion
USW joined Stonewall Cymru’s Diversity Champions Scheme in 2016. The programme for employers aims to ensure that all LGBTQ+ colleagues are accepted without exception in the workplace. Through membership to this programme, Stonewall share with us a library of research and best-practice guides, help us plan our priorities, give us feedback on our initiatives and review our polices to ensure they are LGBTQ+ inclusive.
Stonewall Top 100 Employers 2020
The Stonewall UK Workplace Equality Index is the benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on lesbian, gay, bi and trans inclusion in the workplace. USW rose to 24th in the 2020 Workplace Equality Index - USW was also named as a Top Trans Employer by Stonewall in 2020.
Disability Confident Scheme
USW are proud to be a Disability Confident employer, which means taking action to improve how we recruit, retain, and develop disabled people. The scheme helps employers draw from the widest possible pool of talent and improve employee morale by demonstrating that they treat all employees fairly.
Equality, diversity and inclusion in action
Colleague and student data
To ensure that our workforce is representative, we aim to capture and monitor diversity data of all colleagues, job applicants, promotions, pay, grievance, discipline and training take up. Similar work is taking place for students.