Proud to be a Race Equality Charter member
At BU, we鈥檙e committed to giving our students, staff and graduates equal opportunities, regardless of race.
Since 2016, we鈥檝e been a member of the (REC). It鈥檚 an initiative managed by Advance HE and exists to improve the representation, progression and success of underrepresented groups within higher education.
Over the last eight听years, we鈥檝e undertaken a range of initiatives to advance racial equality听and this year听we were successful in our submission for a听Bronze Award.听Our evidence base included听listening to the experiences of the BU community, demonstrating how teams and individuals are working to embed race equality in the curriculum, and interviews with BU academics, whose research, education and practice specifically reflect areas of the REC.
We鈥檙e committed to progressing with our extensive action plans, which formed part of the听REC submission. These will continue to听represent all听aspects of BU life, such as听student recruitment, curriculum review, graduate outcomes and staff development.听
Sharing experiences through the Reverse Mentoring Scheme
Launched in听2022/23, the Reverse Mentoring Scheme is an听example of how we鈥檙e putting our commitment to diversity and inclusivity into action, to encourage and enhance representation and to ensure that the voices of minority and underrepresented groups are heard.
The scheme enables 菠萝视频 staff members who identify as Black, Asian or any other ethnic minority to talk about their experiences, and for senior staff across 菠萝视频 to increase their insight into the lived experiences of underrepresented groups and the potential barriers that they face.听
Sophia Amenyah
Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Reverse Mentoring Scheme mentor:
It鈥檚 important to share your lived experiences, so that these can influence the university policy and create a more welcoming and productive workplace culture and environment.
Jonathan Goode
Head of Fundraising and Alumni Relations and Reverse Mentoring Scheme mentee:
It might mean stepping outside of your comfort zone and confronting perceptions or judgements that you didn鈥檛 think (or don鈥檛 want to admit) you hold. For me it has been a positive journey, which has made me look at issues surrounding race in new ways.
Campaigning for change
SUBU听Black Students鈥櫶齆etwork
The SUBU听Black Students鈥櫶齆etwork supports听菠萝视频 students who self-define as black individuals and welcomes black student allies.听
It鈥檚 one of , all of which exist to promote positive change at BU and SUBU, both within learning and social environments.
At the heart of each Liberation Network听are a series of campaigns and events, led by the elected Officer for that year. These have included supporting the 鈥榃hy is My Curriculum White鈥櫶鼵ampaign, addressing the attainment gap for black students, and events for black women, from yoga classes to personal exploration sessions.听
SUBU Allyship Hub
Set up by Toluwa Atilade, former SUBU Vice President Welfare & Community, the has two main purposes听鈥撎齠or the BU community to develop their knowledge of听the issues black people and other underrepresented groups face, and to understand the lived experiences of these groups so that they become better active allies.
Whether you choose to read, watch, listen to, follow or see how you can make a difference, the Hub is home to a range of content, offering something for everyone.
Supporting students through our Black Alumni Mentoring Programme
DRIVE Change is an award-winning alumni programme designed to increase the visibility of under-represented groups and celebrate their distinctivenessDeveloped across the听2021/22 academic year听in partnership with SUBU, our Black Alumni Mentoring Programme matches听BU graduates with current black students. The aim is for each mentor (graduate) to provide their mentee (student) with ongoing career support and to create听a听sense of belonging.听
Initially a pilot scheme, the programme听was developed听in response to feedback from students听and is an example of how BU and SUBU are tackling the black students attainment gap.
It鈥檚 also a core听part of DRIVE Change听鈥撎齛 series of graduate events and programmes that shine the spotlight on听issues underrepresented groups continue to face.
