Progress on Race Equality Review recommendation
09 March 2022
The University is working to implement the 20 recommendations of the Race Equality Review, published in May 2021.
Recommendation 16 states the University must develop clear definitions, with specific examples of discriminatory behaviour in regard to race equality and racial harassment:
"Policies relating to discrimination and racial harassment: include links to specific examples of discriminatory behaviours in policies and training relating to race equality and racial harassment, which will support a shared understanding of racism and specific forms of discrimination and harassment, including anti-Blackness, antisemitism, Islamophobia, etc.”
Below we have listed a summary of our definitions of some of the characteristics listed in the Race Equality Review. We are now working to update University materials based on these, which in due course will be used for staff training and as guidance for colleagues in University policies and procedures.
- Anti-Blackness and anti-Black racism. This is used to specifically describe race discrimination against and impacting on Black people specifically
- Antisemitism. The University has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
The IHRA’s website includes worked examples of antisemitism.
- Islamophobia. We have adopted the definition from The All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims 2018 report ‘Islamophobia Defined: the inquiry into a working definition of Islamophobia’, included the following definition:
“Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
More details are available in Universities UK guide to Tacking Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred.
- Gypsies and Travellers. Citizens Advice explain the protections available to some Gypsy and Travellers based on their ethnic origins.
Where to find out more
You can read more about our agreed definitions of protected characteristics, such as Age, Gender reassignment and Disability on the University’s Diversity webpages. There are many links to further resources to help you develop your understanding.