Inclusive Durham Governance Structure

Background

Before 2023/2024, the University had one Diversity and Equality Advisory Group (DEAG). This was an oversight group for University EDI work and the minutes of their meetings were shared with the University Executive Committee (UEC), who had overall responsibility for delivery of EDI related actions. Two main groups involved in EDI related work related to Chartermarks, Institutional Athena Swan (ISAT) and the Race Equality Charter (RECAP), reported separately to DEAG.

As the Inclusive Durham Framework began to take shape in 2023/2024 and incorporate a broader, pan-university, holistic and intersectional approach to five key Chartermarks/Strategic Projects, it became necessary to reconsider the governance of the University’s work in EDI under this new Framework. How could this be achieved effectively in a broader, yet more representational and efficient way? The reimagining of our governance structure is key to ensuring the successful monitoring and delivery of our Action Plan 2025-2030.

Our Reimagined Governance Structure

Through our new governance structure we try to ensure there is a streamlined yet representational flow of information and decision making regarding our 5 EDI related Chartermarks/Strategic Projects at all levels. Key to this are our two new groups: the Inclusive Durham Management Group (IDMG) and the Inclusive Durham Delivery Group (IDDG). IDMG essentially replaces DEAG as the strategic management group. They report through the Pro- Vice-Chancellor (PVC) EDI to UEC. IDDG is the 'on the ground’ operational group, who themselves report to the IDMG. They replace the previous ISAT and RECAP groups. Both IDMG and IDDG meet three times a year. IDMG report to UEC via the PVC EDI. UEC therefore remain the overall accountable body for the delivery of the Inclusive Durham Action Plan. 

Inclusive Durham Management Group (IDMG)

Roles

• Drive cultural change by providing leadership and accountability in delivering the University's new Inclusive Durham Framework
• Act as oversight and sponsor body for IDDG
• Represent the diversity of the University Community across all key areas of membership, especially of the five Chartermarks/Key Projects 

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and review all areas of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work to ensure this is translated into action to create an inclusive culture.
• Provide advice and guidance to the PVC EDI on EDI activities.
• Communicate Durham University’s Purpose and Core Lived Values at all levels.
• Develop, review and monitor progress against the Inclusive Durham Framework.
• Consider legislation in this area and draw upon best practice within higher education and other sectors.
• Oversee the University’s engagement with external accreditation schemes, including (but not exclusive to) Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter. 
• Act as a clearing and endorsing body for the University’s submissions for charter marks.
• Receive and consider reports on staff and student inclusion activities, identifying actions accordingly.
• Establish and be part of working groups to develop major projects and to report back to the Advisory Group on progress. 
• Identify opportunities to embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Fairness, Respect and Equity.
• Support and Champion the work of the Research Culture Committee and Flourish@Durham ensuring collaboration where appropriate.
• Endorse publication of the Report and Support (R+S) tool annual report.
• Members have the responsibility to ensure representation from their area where they are not able to attend.

Quorum and Decision making

• Meetings can only proceed with a quorum of one third of the members (or their delegates) present
• The Group provides an advisory function in the areas of inclusion activities, compliance and implementation therefore has not been delegated decision making authority in this area.
• The Group holds approval powers in relation to Chartermark submissions (such as Athena Swan and Race Equality Charter). The Chair, on behalf of the Group, will report to UEC and/or People Committee items for update.

Reporting and Effectiveness

• The Chair, on behalf of the Group, shall escalate any urgent issues or major risks promptly to UEC or People Committee, as required.
• The effectiveness of the Group will be reviewed annually against its Terms of Reference.

Inclusive Durham Delivery Group (IDDG)

Roles

• Oversee the new Inclusive Durham Framework process through timely and effective implementation of the Action Plan 2025-2030
• Review findings from Durham University data, analyse existing inclusion related policies and progress ongoing inclusion initiatives through an evidence-action cycle.
• This process will lead to the submission of a Chartermark or Strategic Project and/or the generate of a new action plan accordingly

Responsibilities

• The primary responsibility for the delivery of a timely submission rests with an individual delegated/nominated to lead the process by the PVC-EDI.
• The IDDG will work as a team to lead collectively and contribute to the preparation of the application cycles, which will contain a relevant action plan.

To do this the IDDG will:

• Analyse a range of qualitative and quantitative data to identify DU-specific challenges and opportunities relating to intersectional issues between gender/sex and other characteristics e.g. gender/sex and race.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of relevant policies, practices and activities.
• Respond to evidence to establish institutional priority areas, objectives, and targets.
• Develop and guide the implementation of a new comprehensive, evidence-based, change plan for the next award period.
• Use the action plan as a driver for continual review and improvement of EDI policies, practices and activities between submissions.
• Track progress and evaluate the effectiveness of actions undertaken over the existing period, measure the impact on objectives, and adapt actions if necessary to ensure progress towards the intended aims.
• Identify and manage risks associated with the implementation of the action plan. Where appropriate, work with departments, colleges, and stakeholders to identify and address issues emerging from this continual review and how that would best be progressed.
• Effectively utilise the individual skills of IDDG members and others, through the formation of ad hoc working groups, to tackle specific areas of inclusion activities. Working Groups will then bring findings back to the IDDG for review and discussion.
• Ensure efficiency of work on intersectional issues through collaboration with appropriate colleagues and mechanisms.
• Champion the work the University is undertaking to promote inclusion.
• Contribute to the development of any written submission to renew any award or apply for a higher award.
• Escalate to IDMG future action plans, key reports and submission documents for advice and approval.
• Consider other initiatives in the University which could support inclusion action plans and engage with the leads of those initiatives.

Quorum and Decision making

• Meetings can only proceed with a quorum of one third of the members (or their delegates) present
• The Group works collaboratively and inclusively to oversee the preparation of the submissions for Chartermarks/Projects. The Chair, on behalf of the IDDG, will escalate through IDMG or UEC and the People Committee any items for further discussion and/or decision making as deemed appropriate.

Reporting and Effectiveness

• The IDDG will report to the University’s Diversity and Equality Action Group and through the PVC-EDI to UEC and the People Committee as appropriate. The Chair, on behalf of the IDDG, will provide relevant reports to UEC, along with interim progress reports at key points throughout the year, as required.
• Each working group will be chaired initially by an individual nominated by the PVC-EDI, reporting the progress of individual working groups to the IDDG.
• The PVC-EDI will feed back to the IDDG Chair any relevant decisions made by the above committees in a timely manner.
• The IDDG will escalate any urgent issues or major risks promptly to UEC via the PVC-EDI
• The effectiveness of the IDDG will be reviewed at least annually against its Terms of Reference and any changes will be approved by the Pro- Vice- Chancellor EDI and/or UEC as appropriate