Office for Institutional Equity

The Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) was established in 2019 and works to promote equitable opportunity and outcomes within the university. We provide strategic leadership and collaboration to departments across the University so that together we can deliver sector-leading outcomes for our students and become a student-ready university.

The Office provides guidance, information, consultation, and training initiatives, to fulfil commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion for all members of the university community.

The OIE team also offers education and resources to raise understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. The Office supports the University with compliance to meet its statutory obligations and internal policies concerning equity as well its Public Sector Equality Duty.

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Olajumoke Okoya
Dr Jummy Okoya is the Dean of the Office of Institutional Equity. She leads on delivering UEL’s EDI strategy as a cross cutting priority of Vision 2028.
100 Black Women Professors NOW
The University of East London (UEL) joined the Women’s Higher Education Network’s 100 Black Women Professors Now (100BWP) programme in 2021.
Strategic Plan and Vision
We provide strategic and active support to departments across the institution to facilitate the delivery of sector-leading outcomes for our students and staff.

Race equality
Important information about the University's Race Equality Charter
Athena Swan
The Athena SWAN Charter is managed by the Equality Challenge Unit and aims to support and encourage universities to work towards gender equality.
Office for Institutional Equity events
We hold several events during the year to highlight and support different causes and celebrations.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
Read our latest EDI policy.
Decolonisation
Decolonising the curriculum.
Data
Key data and reports.

Gender pay gap report

Our latest report provides context to the key gender pay figures and outlines actions we are taking to improve them.

Pay Gap report

Systematic barriers for Black academics report

Our latest report, in partnership with Henley Business School, examines the obstacles faced by Black academics and a roadmap towards positive change.

Black Academics report

Charter awards

Race Equality Charter

The Race Equality Charter (REC) is a charter mark created by the national higher education charity, the Advance HE. The REC "provides a framework through which institutions work to identify and self-reflect on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students”.

The University of East London was recognised with a Race Equality Charter (REC) Silver award in April 2024, affirming the University’s commitment to, and success in progressing race equality. UEL is only the third institution to achieve the Silver award.

Athena SWAN

Athena Swan is a gender equality charter mark created by the national higher education charity, Advance HE. The charter recognises the commitment of higher education institutions (and research institutes) to gender equality, and the actions put in place to redress any imbalance..

There are three levels of award that are given via the Athena SWAN Charter. These are awarded at the university and departmental or School level (renewable every three years). We are proud to have been awarded the Athena SWAN Silver award.

The Athena Swan panel highlighted the University’s efforts in fostering gender equality, particularly noting significant measures such as establishing a strong governance structure for equality, diversity and inclusion.

Stonewall

Stonewall is Britain’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality, working to create a world where every single person can be accepted without exception. The Stonewall Equality Index is a ranking list of British employers compiled annually.

We have been awarded a Silver School Champion and Silver Employer award. We hope to reflect on practice at UEL to ensure that we are continuously refining our offering so that it is in line with best practices throughout the sector.

News

UEL appoints first cohort of honorary EDI Fellows
The University of East London is proud to announce the appointment of its inaugural cohort of Honorary Fellows in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).
UEL receives Athena Swan Silver Award
University recognised for its commitment to promoting gender equality.
UEL recognised for advancing race equality
UEL is only the third institution in the country to attain Silver status.