Our Current Focus

Key priorities 2010-2012

The Equality Act

•The Equality Act 2010 came into force on 1st October. The Act draws together nine separate pieces of legislation, and aims to provide a simpler, more consistent and more effective legal framework for preventing discrimination.
•Under the Equality Act 2010 the University has a specific duty to publish information, relating to employees, policies and practice, and
students - please see Equality Report below.
•The Equality Act (internal)
•The Equality Report

Embedding Excellence Through Inclusion

•ETI Actions: Many of our departments and faculties have updated or developed new equality and diversity action plans as part of the University's ETI Strategy and we are working with the remaining ones.
•Equality and Diversity Board: We will continue to support departments in progressing their equality and diversity actions, and reporting progress to the EDB.
•Equality Impact Assessments: the University continues to carry out EIAs to ensure we are not discriminating unlawfully, and to recognise opportunites to promote equality and diversity.

Working with and involving people

•Raising awareness: we have held a series of high profile equality focussed events, involving staff, students and external bodies, with the aim of bringing people together to discuss issues and future action
•Staff Voice: we believe staff networks developed in partnership with specific staff groups are a positive way of listening to and supporting our staff
•External Networks: we are also members of a number of regional and national networks, and will continue to work with external stakeholders

LGBT

•Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Trans equality is a current focus of our work. The University is a Stonewall Diversity Champion, and we will continue to work to support staff in creating a visible LGBT presence on campus.
•LGBT Staff Network
•Stonewall
•Bullying: Preventing the bullying and harassment of gay employees

Athena SWAN

The Athena SWAN Charter recognises and celebrates good employment practice for women working in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) in higher education and research. We currently hold a University Bronze Award and we are working to renew this in November 2012. In addition departments across Science, Engineering and Medicine, Dentistry & Health (SETM) are working on their own departmental submissions recognising a commitment to women in SETM. For more information see our Athena SWAN webpages

Mental Health

Mental health: in October 2008 we held a day of debate and discussion to begin the process of tackling the stigma around Mental ill-health. Our aim is to convene a working group to progress this important area. If you would like to get involved, please contact Sarah Woodhead at s.woodhead@sheffield.ac.uk.

•VC Address on Mental Health
•Mental Health Event
•Shaw Trust
•Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

Equality Objectives

Our mission is to attract, grow and engage talent, from all backgrounds and all sectors of society. We have an excellent track record of equality action, through which we aim to develop a fully inclusive University community which encourages everyone to flourish and reach their potential within a positive and supportive culture.
We are undertaking an extensive project to develop business focussed and meaningful equality objectives that will help us to meet our statutory equality duties, and fully support our business and social justice agendas. If you would like to get involved, or find out more, please see our Equality Objectives webpages.

Female Academics

•VCs Statement
•Action Plan 2012
•Impact Mentoring Programme
•Women@TUOS