Student Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Policy

Swansea University is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse community where all students feel valued, respected, and supported in their educational journey. This Student Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (SEDIB) Policy outlines our commitment to creating an environment that promotes fairness, positive relations, equitable opportunities, and celebrates the rich tapestry of identities and experiences within our student population.

1.1

This policy is committed to adopting an intersectional approach, acknowledging the interconnectedness of various social identities and the unique challenges and opportunities they present. While striving for a comprehensive and inclusive framework, we acknowledge that specific issues related to certain personal circumstances and characteristics may require additional or tailored initiatives or attention at various times. This commitment ensures that our equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging efforts remain proactive, dynamic, and student-centred, allowing us to address evolving needs.

1.2

The University's commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging for students is also reinforced by the following policies:

Dignity at Work and Study Policy

Strategic Equality Plan 2020-2024

The Student Charter

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Policy

Safeguarding Policy

Welsh Language and Culture Strategy - Swansea University

Welsh Language Standards legislation

These principles should be embedded for future policy development and review.

2.1

Equity: Swansea University is dedicated to treating all students fairly and with dignity, irrespective of; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race and ethnicity, religion and belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We are committed to equitable opportunities among our student and prospective student community. We recognise that each student's journey is different, and we are committed to identifying and addressing barriers that may disproportionately affect students. Our aim is to provide tailored support to help all students thrive academically and personally.

2.2

Diversity: Swansea University celebrates diversity and acknowledges the strength that comes from different perspectives and experiences. We strive to create an environment that welcomes and values the contributions of students from all backgrounds.

2.3

Inclusion: We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture that goes beyond mere representation. Our goal is to create an environment where all students feel respected and valued. It involves ensuring students are actively engaged and have equitable access to opportunities.

2.4

Belonging: We want every student to feel that they are welcomed and valued at the university. Every student should feel accepted, included, and connected as a student at Swansea University.

Detailed definitions of the above terms can be found in the University Guide on Inclusivity Terms.

The purpose of this policy is to create a culturally rich, inclusive, and respectful student experience at Swansea.  

We recognise that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging are key to creating that culture.

The five stated outcomes of implementation of this policy should be:

3.1

Inclusive Campus Culture

Outcome: Cultivate a campus environment that embraces diversity and promotes inclusivity, fostering a sense of belonging for all students. This includes initiatives that celebrate and support cultural, religious, and social diversity.

3.2

Equitable Access to Opportunities and Support

Outcome: Ensure all students, irrespective of their background or personal characteristics, have equitable access to academic, sporting, extracurricular, and professional opportunities. Simultaneously, provide tailored support services that cater to the unique needs of different student groups. This involves implementing measures to proactively address any disparities between students and reducing any barriers to success including the awarding differential gap.

3.3

Diverse Representation

Outcome: Achieve diverse representation across university staff, publications, events, and promotional materials, amplifying the varied identities and experiences within the student body. This ensures that the university's narrative authentically reflects the richness of its community.

3.4

Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive Curriculum

Outcome: Ensure the curriculum and teaching environment are designed to be equitable, diverse, and inclusive of all students. This includes incorporating diverse perspectives, voices, and cultural contexts into course content, fostering an environment that values and respects the contributions of every student.

3.5

Proactive Education and Awareness

Outcome: Foster a campus community that is informed and aware of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging issues. Implement ongoing education and training programs for both students and staff to promote understanding, empathy, and a collective commitment to creating a fair and inclusive academic community.

3.6

Research and Innovation

Encourage research initiatives that contribute to a deeper understanding of EDIB matters, ensuring that the university remains at the forefront of knowledge and innovation in fostering an inclusive environment.

Swansea University is dedicated to full compliance with the UK Equality Act 2010, recognising and upholding the protected characteristics outlined in this legislation. These characteristics are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

Our policies, procedures, and practices strictly prohibit discrimination, harassment, and victimisation based on these characteristics, ensuring that all members of the university community are treated fairly, equitably, and with respect.

In addition, with this policy, the University commits to strive to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation based on accent, appearance, culture, education, employment, first language, nationality, gender identity and expression, neurodiversity, mental health, long-term ongoing health conditions, parenting and caring, and socio-economic background.

Key Definitions:

4.1

Discrimination: Any unjust or prejudicial treatment on the grounds of a protected characteristic, or other characteristics listed in point 4 of this policy, leading to less favourable or unequal treatment.

Examples:[1]

• Excluding a student from a university event because they are disabled, assuming they may require additional accommodations that the event organisers are unwilling to provide.
• Implementing a strict dress code that prohibits head coverings, indirectly impacting individuals who wear religious head coverings.

4.2

Harassment: Unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or offensive environment for individuals affected.

Examples:

• Excluding a student from social gatherings or academic collaborations based on their race or ethnicity, isolating them and impeding their ability to fully engage in university activities.
• Persistent and offensive name-calling directed at a student based on their sexual orientation, creating a hostile and uncomfortable environment.
• Sending unsolicited explicit messages or images, relating to characteristics listed in point 4 of this policy, to a fellow student through social media, creating an intimidating and distressing situation.
• Continuously mocking a student for their religious beliefs or practices, causing emotional distress and impacting their ability to participate fully in university life.
• Refusing to acknowledge a trans student's chosen name or pronouns and consistently using their previous name, or the wrong pronouns despite their explicit request.

4.3 

Victimisation: Treating an individual unfairly or subjecting them to detrimental treatment as a result of them asserting their rights under the Equality Act 2010 or supporting others in doing so.

Examples:

• Punishing a student for filing a complaint about discriminatory marking practices, resulting in increased scrutiny and harsher treatment in subsequent assessments.
• Singling out a student who supported a peer's discrimination claim for additional workload and unfavourable scheduling, making their academic experience more challenging.
• Excluding a student from university events or opportunities in retaliation for their participation in a peaceful anti-racist demonstration at the university.
• Denying a student access to extracurricular activities after they provided witness testimony in support of a peer's complaint of harassment.
• Giving a student a lower grade than deserved, solely because they raised concerns about inadequate disability accommodations.

4.4 Micro-aggressions

Micro-aggressions are subtle, often unconscious expressions of bias or prejudice that may contribute to a hostile environment. Students are expected to be mindful of their language and actions, seeking to avoid any unintentional harm or reinforcement of stereotypes. Some examples of micro-aggressions are:

• Continually having a name pronounced incorrectly with no effort to get it right.
• Being asked “where are you really from” - an assumption that you are not British.
• Touching a Black person’s hair.
• Being told “you don’t look Trans”.
• Being told “you don’t act Gay”.
• Making no effort to use the correct pronouns, even when you have been asked to.
• Being told “you don’t look disabled”.
• Being told “You are so inspiring for overcoming your disability”.

4.5

This policy drives our commitment to fostering an inclusive campus culture, promoting diverse representation, and offering equitable access to opportunities and support services. We proactively work to eliminate discrimination, advance equitable opportunities, and foster good relations among all members of our academic community. We remain vigilant in staying abreast of any updates or amendments to the Equality Act, actively incorporating changes to maintain compliance and advance our dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Swansea University places a strong emphasis on creating an inclusive and respectful community that upholds the principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB). In support of this commitment, all students and staff are expected to actively contribute to a positive and inclusive campus environment.

5.1 Active Bystander

Swansea University encourages students to be active contributors to an inclusive community. This means not being passive bystanders when witnessing discriminatory behaviour but actively challenging and addressing such incidents, when safe to do so. Students are encouraged to be allies and advocates, fostering an environment where everyone feels supported and valued. This includes offering support to individuals who may be experiencing bias, micro-aggressions, or other discriminatory behaviours.

5.2 Cultural Competency

Swansea University values cultural competency as an essential aspect of an inclusive community. Students and staff are encouraged to educate themselves, through promoted events and training opportunities, about different cultures, perspectives, and experiences, fostering an environment where diversity is celebrated, and cultural awareness is promoted.

5.3 Respectful Conduct

Students are expected to engage in respectful and inclusive conduct, recognising and valuing the diversity of the university community. This includes refraining from any form of discriminatory, prejudiced, offensive behaviour or communication towards individuals or groups based on their protected or personal characteristics whether on or off campus.

5.4 Reporting Incidents

If students witness or experience any incidents that contravene the principles of EDIB, it is expected that they report such incidents promptly. Reporting mechanisms are easily accessible and confidential, ensuring that concerns are addressed with sensitivity and care. Swansea University encourages a culture of transparency and accountability. In the event of discrimination, harassment, victimisation, or unfair bias, the university has robust reporting mechanisms in place.

By adhering to these expectations, students actively contribute to creating a university environment that reflects the values of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. We believe that the collective efforts of its students will lead to a more inclusive, respectful, and enriching learning community

5.4.1 Reporting Mechanisms

The Reporting Form and a list of Harassment Advisors can be found in Appendices section of the Dignity at Work and Study Policy.

The University will endeavour to respond to each report within 10 working days.

5.5 Support

The University offers a wide range of support to victims and active bystanders which can be found on Student Support Services - Swansea University webpage.

6.1 Accessible Facilities and Services

Swansea University is committed to providing inclusive and accessible facilities and services that cater to the diverse needs of our student body, including those who are disabled and neurodivergent.

All facilities and services offered by or in affiliation with the University should adhere to the guidelines outlined in this policy. This encompasses learning environments, catering facilities, accommodation services, sports provisions, retail outlets, as well as conference and social activities.

This commitment extends to ensuring accessibility in all aspects of university life. The university will incorporate inclusive design principles in the planning and maintenance of buildings and facilities, learning materials, and living, studying, and socialising spaces.

6.2 Education and Training

Swansea University is dedicated to cultivating a campus culture that is well-informed and attuned to issues of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB). To achieve this, the university will provide ongoing education and training programs for both staff and students, for example:

• The Include Student EDI Programme
• The Supporting LGBT+ Students Programme
• Anti-racism module

These programs aim to enhance awareness of EDIB matters, covering topics such as anti-racism, unconscious bias, cultural competency, and strategies for fostering an inclusive campus culture. Student facing staff will receive EDIB training to enable an inclusive University environment. By investing in comprehensive education and training, Swansea University seeks to empower its community with the knowledge and skills necessary to actively contribute to an environment that values and celebrates diversity.

6.3 Equality Impact Assessment                                                 

We will persist in evaluating the potential impact of our students’ initiatives, policies, and processes to gauge their effects on individuals in relation to characteristics listed in point 4 of this policy. Employing our established EqIA process, assessments and consultations will be conducted by policy holders, decision-makers, and/or those overseeing practice and procedure. Any assessments that show a substantial impact (or likely impact) on the University’s ability to meet the public sector Equality General Duty will be published in the University’s Equality Annual Report. Further information on conducting EqIA can be found here: Equality Impact Assessment.

6.4 Mentoring, Networking, Shadowing, and Work Experience/Internship Opportunities

Swansea University will ensure that field trips, work experience/internship placements, mentoring programmes, networking events and shadowing opportunities, are accessible and safe for all students. When designing these opportunities consideration will be given in relation to:

Cost – can students afford to fund it?

Accessibility for students with caring responsibilities

Opportunities located far away from campus/abroad - has a local or UK based opportunity been considered?

Balance alongside other commitments, e.g., work, caring etc. These initiatives should be designed to provide students with valuable insights, guidance, and hands-on experiences, ensuring equitable access to career development resources. By facilitating these opportunities, the university seeks to break down barriers, promote inclusivity, and equip students with the skills and networks necessary for success in their chosen fields.

Swansea University will role model active allyship by supporting students who report discrimination, harassment, victimisation that occurs on a work placement. This may include having difficult conversations when inclusivity standards fall below the expectations outline in this document in a partner organisation.

6.5 Decolonising the Curriculum: Ensuring teaching materials are authentic, representative, and diverse

Swansea University will make every effort i to decolonise the curriculum, by engaging in ongoing assessment and revision to provide an educational experience that is inclusive and reflects the breadth of human knowledge, fosters critical thinking, and ensures that all students feel seen, valued, and represented in their academic journey.

6.6 Widening Participation

Swansea University is deeply committed to widening participation, striving to make higher education accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds. The university actively engages in access and outreach programmes, offering information, guidance, and support to prospective students from underrepresented groups. Swansea University will, if needed, take targeted positive action measures to address underrepresentation, including tailored outreach initiatives and support programs. We are committed to collaborating with schools and communities. Dedicated to increasing accessibility, Swansea University regularly consults with current and prospective students.

6.7 Monitoring and Evaluation

Swansea University is dedicated to ensuring the ongoing effectiveness and relevance of its Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) initiatives. To achieve this, the university will conduct annual equality reviews, and publish their outcomes in the Annual Equality Report, to measure various EDIB success indicators and gain insights into the effectiveness of our efforts, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate successes.

Swansea University regards adherence to its Student Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (SEDIB) policy as crucial to maintaining an inclusive and respectful learning environment. Violations of this policy, whether through discriminatory actions, harassment, or failure to comply with the outlined expectations, will be treated seriously.

Upon identification of a policy violation, the university will initiate an investigation to ascertain the details of the incident. Depending on the severity and nature of the violation, disciplinary actions may be taken. These actions can range from educational interventions and awareness programmes to more serious consequences, such as formal warnings, probation, suspension, or expulsion.

Consequences will be determined through a fair, just, and transparent process, taking into account the specifics of each case. The university is committed to upholding justice, ensuring that individuals involved have the opportunity to present their perspective during the investigation.

Additionally, the university recognises the importance of providing support to individuals who have experienced harm due to policy violations. Support services, such as counselling and guidance, will be made available to those affected.

Swansea University emphasises the educational aspect of addressing policy violations, striving to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Through clear consequences for policy violations and a commitment to support those impacted, the university aims to reinforce the importance of upholding the values of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging throughout its community.

To ensure the continuous effectiveness and relevance of the SEDIB policy, Swansea University will conduct a review of this policy annually.

Swansea University's commitment to  equity, diversity, and inclusion is foundational to our mission. Through the implementation of this SEDIB policy, we aim to create a vibrant and supportive learning environment where every student can flourish and contribute to the diversity and richness of our academic community.