The University of Brighton has taken a significant step in its commitment to equity and inclusion by becoming the first higher education institution in the south-east to sign UNISON South East’s anti-racism charter. This formal agreement moves the university beyond a passive stance against racism, committing it to active, measurable efforts to dismantle systemic barriers and foster a truly inclusive environment for all staff and students.
This action is not an isolated event but a reinforcement of the university’s long-standing strategy to embed diversity and inclusion into its core operations. By aligning with UNISON’s charter, the University of Brighton publicly pledges to create a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and supported, regardless of their racial or ethnic background.
Understanding the UNISON Anti-Racism Charter
UNISON, one of the UK’s largest trade unions, developed its anti-racism charter as a direct response to the growing need for organizations to take a definitive stand against racism. The charter distinguishes between being non-racist and being actively anti-racist. Signing the charter requires an organization to move beyond simply not engaging in racist behavior and to take proactive steps to identify, challenge, and eliminate racism within its structures and culture.
Key commitments for signatories typically include:
- Providing robust support for staff who experience racism.
- Implementing transparent policies to address racial discrimination and harassment.
- Ensuring leadership is accountable for driving anti-racist change.
- Working collaboratively with unions and staff networks to develop effective solutions.
For the University of Brighton, this means strengthening existing frameworks and introducing new, targeted actions to ensure racial equity is not just an aspiration but a lived reality across its campuses.
A Foundation of Existing Commitments
Signing the UNISON charter builds upon a robust foundation of existing initiatives at the University of Brighton. The university has a documented history of working to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). This includes:
Structured Training and Development
All staff at the university are required to complete equality, diversity, and inclusion training, which includes modules on unconscious bias. This foundational education helps create a shared understanding of the issues and equips staff with the tools to contribute to an inclusive culture.
Active Staff Networks
The university supports a range of active staff networks for underrepresented groups. These networks provide a vital platform for community building, peer support, and advocacy, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and integrated into university policy and practice.
Addressing Pay and Progression Gaps
A critical component of the university’s EDI strategy is its focus on closing pay gaps and improving progression opportunities for Black and minoritised colleagues. This involves regular data analysis, transparent reporting, and targeted interventions to ensure equitable outcomes.
Recognized Progress: The Race Equality Charter Silver Award
The University of Brighton’s commitment to racial equity has already been recognized at a national level. The university holds the Race Equality Charter Silver Award, a prestigious benchmark administered by Advance HE. This award is not given lightly; it signifies that the university has demonstrated significant progress in advancing race equity across its policies, practices, and culture.
Receiving the Silver Award required the university to:
- Identify specific institutional and cultural barriers facing Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic staff and students.
- Develop and implement a robust, evidence-based action plan to address these barriers.
- Commit to a long-term, sustainable approach to embedding race equality.
The signing of the UNISON charter is a logical extension of this work, adding a powerful union partnership to the university’s existing framework of accountability and action.
Impact on the Student Experience
While the UNISON charter primarily focuses on the workplace, its principles have a direct and positive impact on the student body. An inclusive and equitable staff environment naturally fosters a more welcoming and supportive learning environment for all students.
The university’s efforts to support students from racially minoritised backgrounds are already evident through several key initiatives:
- Targeted Mentorship Programs: Connecting students with mentors who can provide guidance, support, and networking opportunities.
- Financial Support Schemes: Scholarships and bursaries designed to reduce financial barriers to higher education.
- Access and Success Initiatives: Programs aimed at improving access to university, ensuring retention, and promoting academic success for students from diverse backgrounds.
By strengthening its internal anti-racist practices, the university ensures that the educators, administrators, and support staff interacting with students are equipped to provide a consistently inclusive and respectful experience.
A Broader Portfolio of Inclusion
The University of Brighton’s commitment to diversity is comprehensive, extending beyond race to encompass gender, sexuality, disability, and environmental sustainability. This holistic approach is reflected in its portfolio of national awards and charters:
- Stonewall LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer Gold Award 2024: Ranked 14th in Stonewall’s top 100 employers for its commitment to LGBTQ+ equality.
- Athena Swan Gender Charter Silver Award: Recognized for its advancement of gender equality for all staff and students.
- Disability Confident Employer: Committed to ensuring opportunity and progression for disabled staff.
- Disabled Student Commitment: Signed to an initiative focused on improving support for disabled students.
- EcoCampus Platinum Accreditation: Acknowledging excellence in environmental sustainability.
This multi-faceted strategy demonstrates that the university views inclusion as an interconnected ecosystem, where progress in one area reinforces and supports progress in others.
The Path Forward: From Signature to Sustained Change
As noted by Jo Galloway, UNISON South East Regional Secretary, “Signing the charter is just the start.” The true measure of this commitment will be in the sustained actions and cultural shifts that follow. The University of Brighton, in partnership with UNISON, is now tasked with turning this pledge into meaningful, organization-wide change.
This will likely involve ongoing collaboration with staff networks, regular review of policies and practices, transparent reporting on progress, and a continued investment in training and development. The goal is to create a self-reinforcing cycle of improvement where anti-racism becomes an embedded, non-negotiable part of the university’s identity.
Conclusion: A Model for Institutional Accountability
The University of Brighton’s decision to sign the UNISON anti-racism charter sets a powerful precedent for higher education institutions in the south-east and beyond. It highlights the critical role that formal partnerships between universities and trade unions can play in driving substantive social change.
For prospective students, current students, staff, and the wider community, this action sends a clear message: the University of Brighton is not only committed to talking about inclusion but is actively investing in the structures, partnerships, and accountability measures needed to make it a reality. As the university continues to build on its Race Equality Charter Silver Award and other accolades, this latest commitment solidifies its position as a leader in the practical, ongoing work of creating a truly equitable academic environment.
Learn more about the University of Brighton’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion by exploring their dedicated EDI resources.
