Page 12 - Eclipse - Autumn 2021

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

progress and challenges

Christine Thuranira-McKeever

he last 12 months since our Here is a snapshot of some of the EDI the renewal of our current Bronze
time of writing in the last edition work that has been going on: award. This work is led by our two
have been a busy time for co-chairs – Dr Sharon Kendall and
TEquality, Diversity and Inclusion March saw the celebration of Dr Nicola Menzies-Gow, with the
International Women’s Day; this year’s
(EDI). A huge amount has been going theme was ‘Choose to Challenge’ support of a dynamic self-assessment
on – conversations, working groups, and the aim was to celebrate women’s team comprising members of staff
action plans, reports, policies – all achievements, raise awareness against and student representation.
undertaken to honour our commitment bias and take action for equality. As We marked the Trans Day of Visibility
to having an inclusive, diverse and part of the day’s celebrations, we were on 31st March with the launch of
welcoming community, where our proud to share profiles of a number a Transgender Policy for the RVC.
students and staff work together to of female staff, highlighting some of The Transgender Policy is designed to
ensure professionalism, mutual respect their work and contributions to the provide information to trans students
and collegiality.
RVC. Amongst the events of the day, and staff, as well as the whole RVC
At the heart of EDI work is the Equality we were pleased to host a guest community, and it will help ensure that
and Diversity Committee (EDC), speaker, delivering a talk on ‘Women’s we are a trans-inclusive community. We
which brings together staff and Leadership and Intersectionality’. intend to review the policy on an annual
student representatives from across One of the key activities in our basis and we are working to raise
the RVC, all of whom are Equality and endeavours in advancing gender awareness of the needs of the RVC
Diversity Champions with the remit equality, is our Athena SWAN work. trans community.
to progress the equality and diversity In the last year, we started work on
agenda within their departments.

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