21st October 2021
This week also saw the publication of the report from the HEA survey on Race Equality in the Higher Education Sector. The evidence gathered by the survey and the analysis and consideration of the issues raised in this report, along with the recommendations, provide a basis for universities to further develop policies and actions to address race inequality in higher education.
Follow this link to read the report from the HEA survey on Race Equality in the Higher Education Sector.
One such action, which is the culmination of many months work, is the roll out commencing this week by the eight IUA universities, of an online training programme Let’s Talk About Race in the Higher Education Sector. This course for staff and students is a key initiative in building the intercultural understanding and competence required to achieve systemic change.
Listen here to some of the voices involved in the training programme.
This specifically commissioned module will complement the existing race awareness and education activities that we are undertaking here in UL, including the formation of our new Ethnic Diversity Forum (EDF). Dr Yoga Nathan (Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine) and Mamobo Ogoru (PhD student) will chair and co-chair the Forum. The EDF is a sub-group of the Human Rights – EDI Steering Committee and will lead UL’s ongoing efforts to advance inclusion on campus. The purpose of the Forum is to understand and advocate for a positive campus climate in relation to ethnicity, equality, diversity and inclusion, and to make recommendations and progress actions that aim to make UL an equitable, safe and respectful work and study environment for all.
The HEA report is also an important educational resource in highlighting the fact that racism is not just about overtly racist actions such as racial harassment and hate crime, which unfortunately are still a problem in our society and regrettably are on the rise (Irish Network Against Racism 2020 report).
I encourage all staff and students to read the Race Equality Report and to undertake the Let’s Talk About Race in the Higher Education Sector programme when it is released.
Best wishes,
Professor Kerstin Mey
Uachtarán / President
Oifig an Uachtaráin / Office of the President
Ollscoil Luimnigh / University of Limerick
Ethnic Diversity Forum - Expression of Interest Form
