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University of Reading

Message from Vincenzo Raimo, Pro-Vice-Chancellor

Monday, 17 November 2014

Vincenzo Raimo

Vincenzo Raimo, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement)

As part of our commitment to identifying how the University can improve and advance race equality, we are taking part in a trial for the Race Equality Charter Mark.

As part of this process, we are asking minority ethnic staff and students to complete a survey from the Equality Challenge Unit. This will inform our action plan on race equality and help us achieve our equality and diversity objectives.  The survey is a pilot and we are one of 31 higher education institutions taking part.

Ethnicity is one of our equality and diversity priorities, alongside gender and sexual orientation. We are keen to learn from the experiences of our minority ethnic colleagues who I strongly encourage to complete the survey.

We are running two surveys, one for staff and one for students who self-identify themselves as minority ethnic. This includes, though not limited to:

  • individuals from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups, for example Arab
  • individuals from White minority ethnic groups, for example White Polish, Irish Traveller
  • individuals from mixed ethnic backgrounds
  • international staff and students who may face differences in experience based on their ethnic background and/or national origin.

The survey takes 15 minutes to complete and is open until Friday 12 December. You will be asked about your experience working here, including questions on recruitment, career development, promotion and pay, culture, your colleagues and well-being.  Your answers will be anonymous. Results will be analysed in January 2015 with focus groups planned for the New Year. 

For more information about our involvement in the charter mark trial, please email Equality and Diversity

 Click here for the staff survey

While we have made some progress on matters relating to equality and diversity to staff, there is still work to do.  Working with the Equality and Diversity Committee, last year UEB identified three priority areas, which are:

  • Gender, with a particular focus on enabling more women to progress and participate in leadership roles;
  • Ethnicity, to ensure a more diverse range of individuals are employed across all roles, including leadership roles; and
  • Sexual orientation, to ensure that everyone feels comfortable in being themselves at work and are confident to be open about their sexuality if they wish to do so.

Colleagues can help with our understanding of how we are doing by ensuring that your personal information is up to date on Employee Self Service.  More on our work on equality including our diversity e-training module

More information on the Race Equality Charter Mark Trial