Equality Objectives Working Group

Committee description

Co-Chair(s): Holly Nicholls (Head of Diversity & Equality) & John Corish (Associate Director of Widening Participation and Outreach)
Secretary: Post vacant (Interim email: equality@liverpool.ac.uk)

Introduction

1.    The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee is responsible for setting the strategic direction, monitoring and compliance of the University of Liverpool in relation to the Equality Act 2010, Human Rights Act 1998, Protection from Harassment Act 1997, and all associated legislation and statutory duties.

2.    The current Equality Objectives Action Plan (2022-2028) was developed in 2022. The current plan received formal approval in 2023, and consists of four Core Equality Objectives:

•    Increase diversity/representation within our staff and student (UG, PGR & PGT) population
•    Make significant improvements to enhance staff and student (UG, PGT & PGR) experiences, with a particular focus on those who identify as People of Colour and or Disabled
•    Promote a culture where bullying and harassment is not tolerated (with a particular focus on sexual harassment, racism and sexism)
•    Reduce the awarding gap between People of Colour and White students (with a particular focus on Black student outcomes)

3.    The plan also consists of a significant number of sub-objectives and actions. It has therefore been agreed that a Working Group should be established to drive the work of the plan forward.

Terms of Reference for EOWG

Responsibilities
4.    This group would report to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and is responsible for the following:

•    Identifying key areas of focus for the next 12m (and annually thereafter)

•    Working with Action Holders, identified within the University Equality Objectives Action Plan (2022 – 2028) to ensure that appropriate action is taking place to address the equality objectives

•    To assist in maintaining a good level of momentum for the plan in line with the timelines identified within the Equality Objectives Action Plan (2022 – 2028)

5.    The group would be responsible for providing EDI Committee with assurance of the following:

•    Action holders identified within the University Equality Objectives Action Plan (2022 – 2028), are supported in the delivery of activities, which aim to achieve the four core equality objectives and related sub-objectives

•    Effective and robust structures are in place for measuring and monitoring, action holder outcomes against the equality objectives
    
•    Effective processes are in place to identify both areas of success and weakness (barriers), and that where there are areas of weakness, firm plans are put in place to ensure areas are working towards completing actions

6.    EDI Committee maintains overall oversight of the Equality Objectives Action Plan by receiving periodic updates (during the Committee Cycle) on action plan progress.

7.    The Working Group will submit an Annual Equality Objectives Performance Report (elements of which may be incorporated into the Annual Diversity & Equality Report) for measuring and reporting progress against the equality objectives action plan. The report should also identify areas where there may be scope for the EDI Committee to intervene to remove barriers to success.

8.    The working group can establish task and finish groups (staff and student) where required.

Reporting Relationships

The Equality Objectives Working Group (EOWG) reports directly to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which in turn report into the Formal Senior Leadership Team and recommend matters to other parts of the committee structure where necessary.

Frequency of Meetings

The group shall meet on a minimum of 4 occasions during the academic year and is able to call for additional meetings where necessary.

A note on terminology:

*The terms/acronyms ‘BAME/PoC’ are used to indicate ‘Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic’ or ‘People of Colour’ and relate to data sources identified within the action plan, these may also be reflected within the Equality Objectives Working Group ToR. However, it should be noted that work is underway to established inclusive language guidance that the University will adopt once consultation has taken place with the UoL community.