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Our people make us who we are

Here at Durham, we’re home to people from all backgrounds and identities doing extraordinary things.  It's our people who make Durham University what it is.

Our ambition is to continue growing a team that reflects the diversity of the regional, national, and international communities that we serve. However, we know that change is a long process, and that we’re not yet where we want to be.

To support us on our journey, we’ve launched a number of key initiatives to help us to embed equality, diversity and inclusion across our University. We’re focused on building a fair, inclusive and respectful place where our people feel supported and valued. It’s a workplace where anyone, from anywhere, can support each other to thrive.

Our inclusive culture statement (which is now part of our Core Lived Values) supports everyone in working towards the equality, diversity and inclusion strategic framework: 

“Together we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating a university community that is respectful and fair for all”.

Find out more here: EDI at Durham

Were a Stonewall Diversity Champion

We joined the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme in 2013. It’s the UK’s leading forum for discussing and celebrating sexual orientation, gender identity, equality, diversity and inclusion at work. Over 700 organisations work with Stonewall through the Diversity Champions programme, and we’re proud to be playing our part by creating a working environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Weve been awarded Athena SWAN bronze

The University was awarded a bronze institutional Athena SWAN award, in addition to the departmental awards weve already gained.  A number of departments also have the silver award.

We recognise that we have made progress against the Athena SWAN principles and values, but we realise that there is still more to do, and we’re currently working towards achieving this.

Were a member of the Race Equality Charter

The University is signed up to the Race Equality Charter (REC). Our membership has helped us to identify, reflect upon and address institutional and cultural barriers that stand in the way of our racially minoritised staff and students.

Were a Disability Confident Employer

As a Disability Confident Employer, we’re helping to change behaviours, cultures and attitudes towards disabled people. And we’re committed to making sure working at Durham is a positive experience, beginning with our inclusive recruitment practices.

Our equality objectives

We’ve designed our equality objectives to help us tackle inequalities and build diversity and inclusion across our University. Our objectives are to:

  1. Address gender inequality

We want to tackle discipline-specific gender imbalances in student and staff groups, including reducing the gender pay gap.

  1. Attract and retain a diverse community of staff and students

We want to increase our number of students from disadvantaged groups, and improve the way we recruit, support, and progress BAME academic and professional staff.

  1. Embed a culture of respect and inclusivity

We want to foster an accessible, inclusive, and respectful learning, teaching, and research environment.

Read more about our equality objectives.

Supporting applicants with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions

We’re committed to helping everyone who works here feel safe and comfortable, and we prioritise the health and wellbeing of all of our colleagues. That includes providing support to those who are disabled or who have a physical or mental health condition.

Read more about the support we offer.

EDI Learning and Development

We’re here to help everyone learn - and that includes our people. Our comprehensive EDI learning and development programme is one of our key drivers for change, and some of our areas for development include the following programmes: -

  • Respect, Values & Behaviours (RVB)

We demonstrate our core lived values through our RVB learning and development programme to promote a respectful and inclusive work environment.

  • Unconscious Bias

We provide an accessible, inclusive, and respectful learning, teaching, and research environment and deliver an unconscious bias workshop to support our work in this area.

  • Anti-Racism

We are building a diverse and inclusive university community that is respectful and fair for all.

  • LGBTQ+ Allyship

We work towards removing discipline-specific gender imbalances in student and staff groups, including reducing the gender pay gap.

  • Skill Boosters

We offer our staff and students the opportunity to access over 40 self-directed e-learning micro courses. More than 20 of those have an EDI focus.

  • Attract and retain a diverse community of staff and students

We want to increase our number of students from disadvantaged groups, and improve the way we recruit, support, and progress BAME academic and professional staff.

  • Embed a culture of respect and inclusivity

We are embedding an accessible, inclusive, and respectful learning, teaching, and research environment.

Women@DU group of women

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

We believe that people are happier, enjoy their work more and perform better when they’re part of a respectful and inclusive environment.

ED&I at Durham

Our Networks

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network

Our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network provides a voice for BAME staff in the University.

Intersectionality: BAME Women at Durham University

Disability Network

Our Disability Network creates a supportive space where issues affecting staff with disabilities can be discussed.

Image of two people holding coffee one with a disability
  • First Generation Network

    Our First Generation Network celebrates and promotes the achievements of first generation staff and helps members reach their full potential.

    Hands with a piece of paper saying support
  • LGBT+Network

    Our LGBT+ Network is open to anyone with an interest in LGBT+ issues.

    LGBT Flag DU logo

First Generation Network

Our First Generation Network celebrates and promotes the achievements of first generation staff and helps members reach their full potential.

Hands with a piece of paper saying support

LGBT+Network

Our LGBT+ Network is open to anyone with an interest in LGBT+ issues.

LGBT Flag DU logo
  • Mothers and Mothers-to-be Support (MAMS) Network

    Our MAMS Network provides support and fosters a more family-friendly environment for mothers and expectant mothers at the University.

    A smiling child at a table with colouring pencils
  • Women@DU

    Women@DU brings together staff from across Durham University who identify as women, to share experiences, opportunities and knowledge.

    Women@DU group of women

Mothers and Mothers-to-be Support (MAMS) Network

Our MAMS Network provides support and fosters a more family-friendly environment for mothers and expectant mothers at the University.

A smiling child at a table with colouring pencils

Women@DU

Women@DU brings together staff from across Durham University who identify as women, to share experiences, opportunities and knowledge.

Women@DU group of women

Disability Confident Employer Logo, Good Work Pledge, Advanced Logo, Race Equality Charter Logo, Athena Swan Bronze Award, EUC Gender Charter Logo,  Armed Forces Covenant, RLW Accreditation