Tackling Gender and Racial Inequalities
Tackling Gender and Racial Inequalities
Strengthening Equity, Diversity, Inclusion through Human Rights
UEL is one of the most diverse universities in the UK with students from over 120 countries and a variety of cultural, social, religious and ethnic backgrounds. As a world-class institution, UEL’s Vision 2028 and its equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives have been lauded for their success in strengthening gender and racial equality. In 2019, UEL was also among the first UK universities to set up an Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) to reinforce efforts to promote EDI. Established in 2012, the UEL Noon Centre for Equality and Diversity also carries out advocacy, research and projects aimed at empowering students, staff and communities through human rights, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and EDI principles.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion @ UEL
UEL aims to be the UK’s most inclusive and equitable university – providing strategic and active leadership for delivering sector-leading outcomes for our students and becoming a student-ready university. This includes establishing a respectful, anti-racist, environment for students and staff which promotes their success and creates a sense of belonging for them at UEL, whilst honouring the university’s public sector equality duty (UEL Office for Institutional Equity).
Key indicators of UEL’s institutional progress include the reduction in the degree awarding gap, gender pay gap, and increased voice and participation of disadvantaged groups as part of the UEL community. UEL has also been recognised for its efforts to achieve greater equality and inclusion. In rankings released by the Times Higher Education, UEL was ranked second out of 760 universities worldwide in reducing inequalities – ranking top in the UK. UEL was also one of only 14 universities to be awarded the Race Equality Charter Bronze award in 2020 and has also been recognised with an Athena SWAN award for its work on gender equality.
UEL also has promoted EDI through its human rights’ teaching, research and advocacy. In 1999, the UEL was one of the first UK universities to create a refugee studies programme, working directly with asylum seekers with the Refugee Council Archives located at UEL. Through its postgraduate programmes UEL has also trained over 1,000 lawyers and activists.
The Noon Centre for Equality and Diversity
The Noon Centre works for a fairer society and inclusive economy. Since 2012, the Noon Centre has been a pioneering force in creating opportunities for young people, fostering inclusivity, and strengthening student success, through mentoring, and placements. These include the London Scholars and Civic Engagement Programmes, Young Black And Ethnic Professionals Programme (YBEP), 33sixty: UEL & Common Purpose Leadership Programme, Mumbai/Common Purpose and supporting Global Equality and Diversity Awards. Between 2016 and 2020, the Noon Centre has carried out activities to promote human rights and gender equality with over 80 partners – locally and worldwide – through funding from the UN, the Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF), and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). As a member of the UN Advisory Group on Gender Issues (AGGI), and Co-Chair of the UN Stakeholder Advisory Group Enterprise (SAGE), and as co-ordinator of the UN-Habitat land training and research cluster, Noon Centre Director Prof. Siraj Sait has made key contributions to the strengthening of human rights and gender equality in the global development agenda and the SDGs. For example, carrying out training on human rights based approaches at the UN, World Bank, Arab League, African Union, and in over 24 countries, creating capacity and skills for over 2,400 policymakers, government officials, local government, professionals, civil society, grassroots activists, and women and youth groups.
In 2023, the UEL Noon Centre begins 3 fresh projects funded by the UN – on women and youth, climate change, and human rights – leading 80 partners. The Noon Centre has also been funded by the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) as co-lead with Newham Children and Youth Services – with over a dozen community partners – to improve access to health services in Newham through participatory and human rights-based approaches.