Equality & Diversity Key Priorities

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 with a positive and supportive culture.

Our Equality Objectives were developed in 2012, and we are currently undertaking an extensive project to implement these across the University. These will help us to meet our statutory equality duties, and fully support our business and social justice agendas.

To find out more and to get involved, see our Equality Objectives webpages.

Female Progression

One of our University targets is focused around increasing the representation of women at professorial level.

There are numerous avenues of support for academic women at University and Faculty level, for example mentoring programmes, Networks and initiatives aimed at raising the profile of women across the University.

In addition, our Female Academic Progression Action Plan 2012-2015 sets out what we will do to reach our target and how we will do it.

To find out about our support see our Female Progression webpages.

Athena SWAN

The Athena SWAN Charter recognises and celebrates good employment practice for women working in science, engineering and technology (SET).

The University successfully renewed its Bronze Award in 2012, and departments are in the process of making their own award submissions. Animal & Plant Sciences currently hold a Silver Award, and ScHARR hold Bronze.

For further information about Athena SWAN at the University see our Athena SWAN webpages.

LGBT

The University is a Diversity Champion for the Charity Stonewall, which works with organisations to create an inclusive culture for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals

At the University we actively support our LGBT community. Previous action include sponsorship of Sheffield Pride, the short film 'Storying LGBT @ TUoS': Testimonials from Staff and Students', and entries to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, in which we improved our ranking by 25 places in our 2013 submission.

To find out more see our LGBT at the University webpages.

REF 2014

In line with the University's REF2014 Code of Practice, the University expects all Units of Assessment (UoAs) to be open, transparent and clear in their processes for staff selection. It is a requirement of HEFCE that all individuals responsible for making staff recommendations be provided with tailored training on equality and diversity.

For this purpose we have devised an online REF equalities and diversity training tool which all staff involved in staff selection must undertake. Following the training, staff involved in making selections are welcome to discuss any specific concerns or issues with their Faculty Line Manager.

For further information about the REF, please see the University's REF2014 webpages.