Dean for Diversity and Inclusion secondment opportunity
Tuesday, 17 September 2019
The University is looking to appoint a new Dean for Diversity and Inclusion for a six-year term, starting 6 January 2020.
The Dean will work closely with the University Executive Board (UEB) and other key partners to provide strong leadership in effective delivery of the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The recruitment process follows the decision by the current Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Professor Simon Chandler-Wilde, to step down at the end of this year. He will return to the School of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Science on a part-time basis.
Simon was appointed to the role in 2015 in a job share with Professor Ellie Highwood. Together, they raised the profile of diversity and inclusion activities at the University. Simon’s leadership on LGBT+ issues has resulted in the University becoming a ‘Stonewall Top 100 Employer’ – with a strong network of LGBT+ allies and a strong presence at the Reading Pride. He is a fantastic role model and we are indebted to him for all he has done to make the University an inclusive and tolerant place to work and study.
Simon will continue to be involved in diversity and inclusion activity, through his role on our REF Personal Circumstances Group, his trusteeship for local LGBT+ Charity Support U, through the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) Ethics Committee, reviewing the society’s policies and procedures around sexual harassment. He also has his eye on a new EPSRC Fellowship scheme with a D&I strand.
New Dean
The new Dean for Diversity and Inclusion is expected to play a leading role in supporting a culture of diverse representation of staff at all levels of the institution – identifying opportunities for the University to benefit from diversity and inclusion initiatives across a broad spectrum of activities and oversee the management of all submissions for recognition and/or accreditation for a range of diversity and inclusion indicators (e.g. Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter Mark, Stonewall Champion, Disability Confident Scheme).
Candidates for the position are expected to have demonstrable and relevant leadership and managerial experience. They should be able to articulate strategic direction and vison and how this can be achieved in practical ways and embedded effectively into existing operational working processes and practice. They should also have the ability to build and nurture effective professional relationships working in partnership with key stakeholders (internally and externally).
More information on the role can be found on https://jobs.reading.ac.uk/internal/displayjob.aspx?jobid=5633
The deadline for applications is Sunday 6 October 2019. Interviews will take place on the morning of Wednesday 23 October 2019.
Informal enquiries about this position should be directed to Professor Parveen Yaqoob (p.yaqoob@reading.ac.uk).