Diversity and inclusion work

How can higher education better support diverse students and staff? Find advice on EDI policies and actions that open pathways into higher education to non-traditional students and support student success for diverse cohorts by building inclusive institutions. Plus, how to achieve greater diversity at every level of academia and make everyone feel they belong. 

A toilet cubicle

Equality on campus starts in the toilets

With diversity, equity and inclusion policies under threat, there’s a simple and cost-effective change universities can make for a trans-inclusionary, accessible campus

Deanna Grant-Smith , Anne Hewitt , Loki Maelorin, Chisom Ihekwaba

The University of Adelaide, University of the Sunshine Coast

Students working as a group in the library

The library’s role in reducing the attainment gap

Read about strategies aimed at closing attainment gaps, such as peer mentoring, inclusive resources and academic skills training to support students

Multiple authors

Nottingham Trent University

Students in a lab

Workforce-ready, not left behind: inclusive work-based learning for sciences students

Many science students miss out on quality placements because of systemic barriers. Read five ways universities can embed equitable, work-based learning into non-accredited programmes and level the field

Shalinee Dhayal, Dominic Wiredu Boakye, Musarrat Maisha Reza

The University of Exeter

Different languages in speech bubbles on a laptop

International students don’t need ‘fixing’

To internationalise education, and not just enrolments, educators need to move feedback on academic language from correction to collaboration. Here Nashid Nigar offers a framework for rethinking inclusion through literacy diversity

Nashid Nigar

University of Melbourne

Students walking through campus laughing

Use welcome workshops to build student belonging

A guide to creating induction workshops in collaboration with students – with practical tips on building student confidence and trust

Sarah Hadlow

Nottingham Trent University

Asian female student in wheelchair

How can higher education better support international students with disabilities?

Institutions need to work harder to understand international students with disabilities’ needs and challenges, and put in place more obvious and intentional communication with them

Carol Evans, Maurie van den Heever, Ralph E. McKinney

University of Salford, GoodX Software, Marshall University

A student smiling to camera

Tackling accent bias: the ‘last acceptable form of discrimination’

Accent bias undermines Black international students’ confidence and belonging in UK universities. Institutions must tackle this exclusion through awareness, training, and a proactive celebration of linguistic diversity

Patrice Seuwou

University of Northampton

Lit candles in a darkened room

How inclusive design can transform student well-being: a spiritual perspective

Integrate the sacred into the secular by making interfaith spaces inclusive for all. Here’s how

Yusuf Kaplan

The University of Westminster

Students working together in the library

How student-led research can build belonging and agency

A project that hired students as co-researchers to explore inclusion and connection resulted in higher levels of agency and belonging. Here, the academics behind the scheme share what they learnt

Jen Coleman, Vicki McDermott-Thompson

The University of East Anglia

An illustration of a group of people crossing a drawstring bridge from one head to another

To foster belonging, make a cultural shift

Here’s how to hone your EDI practices and make your university an anti-discriminatory institution

Denise Coles

Loughborough University

A Black woman engineer building a robot

What I needed as a Black woman in STEM

Factors that influence the success of Black women in STEM, including community building, EDI responsibilities and invisible labour – and how to provide support

Carlotta A. Berry

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Academics chatting

Common barriers to belonging and how to overcome them

Belonging in higher education goes beyond access – it’s about feeling seen, valued and supported. This resource explores the barriers that prevent true inclusion and offers ways to create a more welcoming academic culture

Bhawana Shrestha

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University

The UK Supreme Court building

‘We need to be united, confident and proud of who we are’: thoughts on the Supreme Court ruling

How can universities support gender-non-conforming members of their communities in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman?

Pippa Catterall

The University of Westminster

Students playing a boardgame

Make social groups work for under-represented students

Collaborate with students to create social groups that foster connection among those with shared lived experiences. Above all, ensure these groups have a clear purpose and focus on inclusion, rather than emphasising difference

Ian Norman

The University of East Anglia

A woman holding a megaphone while protesting

Faculty must stand together to confront the American illiberal peril

What happens now that university presidents are willing to stand up individually and collectively in the face of governmental hostility? Chris Dietrich examines the historical context leading up to it and suggests some ways to resist

Chris Dietrich

Fordham University

An academic disclosing their disability to their manager

Stop treating disability support as an afterthought

Find out what prevents university staff from disclosing invisible disabilities – and steps their institutions can take to change that

Christina Dzineku, James Murray

Independent academic, University of Buckingham

A student smiling to camera

Ways to make your learning materials accessible and inclusive

Advice on laying the groundwork for inclusive teaching and using tools that help students with specific needs thrive

Eunice Costilla Cruz , Nelly Ramírez Vázquez

Monterrey Institute of Technology

Multiracial hands in fist bump circle

Ubuntu philosophy: how embracing cultural heritage in the classroom can enhance teaching

Teaching that incorporates this African value system prioritises relationship building and authenticity. Here’s how to put it into practice

Chipo Simbi

University of Southampton

Robot researcher in a lab

Guard rails to mitigate ethical concerns for AI use

Artificial intelligence can vastly improve productivity and advance innovation, but integrating AI into academia brings significant ethical implications. These policies and procedures could help mitigate these concerns

Qin Zhu

Virginia Tech

Multiracial group of young people

Why inclusion in EAP needs a rethink

Teaching English for academic purposes should be inclusive by its very nature. Here’s how to centre student voices, challenge assumptions about academic language, and design learning for meaningful participation and belonging

Angelos Bakogiannis

Independent academic

A lecturer standign at the front of class

Successful outreach requires an agile approach

Guidance on reviewing and refreshing an outreach offering to better support underrepresented groups into higher education

Laura Bates

Nottingham Trent University

Two female scientists in a lab

Five ways to start leading research culture change

If you’re concerned that research culture is valuing output over well-being, or prioritising prestige over passion, these tips could help you move towards more supportive and collaborative labs and departments

Annette Bramley, Candy Rowe

N8 Research Partnership, Newcastle University

Students holding hands around a glowing orb

Not all students want to fit in, but every student wants to matter

Making students feel they matter can dramatically improve lecture attendance. Here are ways to do it

Celine Caquineau

The University of Edinburgh

Students in a group walking together on campus

Creating a culture of belonging with inclusive pedagogy

Building cultural humility and meaningful relationships with students are two of several strategies to foster belonging in students from minoritised backgrounds

Yusra Siddiqui , Musarrat Maisha Reza

The University of Exeter

A gardener prunes flowers

How to create an environment your employees can thrive in

Creating a workplace culture your employees can develop and grow in requires intentional leadership. Here’s how to cultivate a nurturing environment and reap the benefits

Judy Holmes

Colorado State University Global

Illustration of head jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing

What trauma-informed practice is not

Before trauma-informed care can be the norm across all areas of the university, academic and professional staff need to understand what it is. Here, three academics debunk myths and demystify best practice

Kate Cantrell, India Bryce, Jessica Gildersleeve

The University of Southern Queensland

Group of schoolchildren

Bridging the gap between academia and local communities

Institutions that integrate public engagement into their core mission will contribute to stronger, more connected communities. Here are lessons from running an on-campus science bazaar

Ellie-May Beaman

Oxford Brookes University

Young male teacher at whiteboard

How to be empathetic when teaching first-year students

Creating a supportive and understanding learning environment can build trust, lessen anxiety and improve learning outcomes for students entering university. These practical actions will help educators incorporate empathy into their teaching

Abdulhusein Mizhir Almaamuri

Al-Mustaqbal University

A happy group of students pose for a photo

Diversity isn’t a one-off task, it’s a learning journey

With diversity practices under threat, where can universities go from here? Ibiyemi Omeihe and Kingsley O. Omeihe outline the path to truly inclusive learning

Ibiyemi Omeihe , Kingsley Omeihe

University of the West of Scotland

Students sitting together in a library

What matters to students’ sense of belonging?

Using an intersectional and decolonial lens and fostering the formation of a discipline-specific identity are some of the ways to make belonging the cornerstone, rather than merely an outcome, of higher education EDI initiatives

Salma Al Arefi

University of Leeds

Care concept

Building a culture of care to support students’ mental health

Mental health support is a community-wide concern, which includes easy-to-access counselling, staff awareness and training, an empathetic environment and community hubs, writes Amy Epperley

Amy Epperley

Virginia Tech

Vibe Lounge event at Turner Sims at the University of Southampton

How civic arts programmes can make students feel welcome

Empowering students to co-create music events with peers can foster a sense of belonging in their university and city. Here’s how a student-community collective breathed new life into a 50-year-old venue

Jessica Santer, Carley Divish

University of Southampton

The inside of a university library

White privilege doesn’t exist for working-class men in higher education

Consider social class a protected characteristic and remove financial barriers to make HE accessible to white, working-class men, writes Mark Butterick

Mark Butterick

University of Leeds

Female university student walking to class

‘Why do we still timetable classes as if students don’t have lives outside university?’

As the block model has evolved from educational outlier to established practice, the questions it raises about how higher education is delivered are increasingly difficult to ignore, writes John Weldon

John Weldon

Victoria University

A young woman uses sign language

British sign language users deserve a place in higher education

BSL users are under-represented in academia. What can we do to foster an inclusive environment for them?

Astrid Smallenbroek

University of the West of Scotland

A group of students sat in a circle having a discussion

Starting a support group for students with disabilities

Supporting students with disabilities in regions where universities place less emphasis on equity, diversity and inclusion requires a proactive approach from staff. Establishing a student-led support group can make a significant impact

Asri Saraswati

The University of Indonesia

Female mature age student at graduation

Imagine an age-inclusive university sector

Age inclusion should be part of universities’ mission, as well as their day-to-day operations. To not support staff and students at all stages of their academic life is an opportunity missed

Paul Harpur, Brooke Szücs, Nancy A. Pachana

The University of Queensland

A pile of novels in a library

Using literature to increase students’ empathy

Asking students to reflect on emotions through literary works can enhance their empathy. Here are some tried and tested methods

Rouli Esther

The University of Indonesia

Hand holding university diploma

Why transfer student programmes are key to expanding access

Students need and want flexible, affordable pathways into higher education, so universities need to support non-traditional avenues, remove barriers and take the opportunity to reach a more diverse cohort, writes Steve McLaughlin

Steven W. McLaughlin, Rick Clark

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Older students at their desks at a university

How can universities encourage active ageing?

As life expectancies rise, universities must prepare to welcome more older students. Here are some ways to ensure institutions are inclusive spaces for these learners

Husnul Fitri

The University of Indonesia

A computer science studeng coding on her laptop

Opening doors to computer science education

Ways to get more students from under-represented backgrounds into computer science, including offering joint undergraduate degrees and master’s degrees that require no tech background

Beth Mynatt

Northeastern University

podcast graphic

THE podcast: what Indigenous knowledge brings to higher education

Two Indigenous university leaders explain how their institutions support First Nations’ participation in higher education, create space for community and build trust in postcolonial environments

Angie Bruce, Te Kawehau Hoskins

University of Manitoba, The University of Auckland

Multiracial group of students

‘The experience of mixing with peers from other schools and engaging with university life is transformational’

By building a bridge between high school and university, outreach teams can foster aspiration and provide tangible pathways for students who might not otherwise pursue higher education

Gillian Lavercombe

University of the West of Scotland

Students sit around in discussion

Three lessons for interfaith engagement on campus

How can we build a religiously plural community on campus in times of global division? Ten years on from the LSE Faith Centre’s opening, James Walters reflects on three lessons learned

James Walters

The London School of Economics and Political Science

Older woman mentoring young Asian female university student

Intercultural communication between PhD supervisors and candidates

Culture goes beyond language and national origins, so doctoral supervisors need curiosity and an open mindset in their interactions to maximise performance and timely completion

Thuy Dinh

Western Sydney University

Three male students laughing and chatting

We need to get to know our international students better

To create inclusive classrooms for international students, we must address bias and challenge assumptions. Here’s how

Meg Maclean

The University of Edinburgh

Causeway of Williston Lake in British Columbia

Truth is necessary for reconciliation

Good intentions and generalisations can harm reconciliation in the classroom and academy, writes Daniel Sims

Daniel Sims

University of Northern British Columbia

A student painting on a canvas

Preparing students for careers in the creative industries

How interdisciplinary and experiential learning that is integrated into inclusive curricula can equip students for their future creative careers

Miaomiao Jia

The University of Bristol

Academics work together around a table

Start the journey of anti-colonial work with these first steps

Many non-Indigenous staff are worried about doing anti-colonial work for fear of getting it wrong. Sue Sharpe shares four tips for getting started

Sue Sharpe

Australian National University

A student standing outside campus thinking

How can we make HE more accessible for those with criminal convictions?

Students with criminal convictions are often left out of higher education widening participation efforts. This resource challenges the narrative and offers strategies to support them

Jayne Price, Paul Taylor

University of Chester