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Together at UON

  1. Home
  2. About us
  3. Governance and Management
  4. Equality and Access Unit
  5. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
  6. Together at UON

Our Commitment to Equality and Inclusion

​Together @ UON confirms our commitment to equality and inclusion, underpinned by our belief in taking action. We are dedicated to creating an environment that celebrates equality and harnesses the power of diversity. Together @ UON demonstrates our pledge to our staff, students and partners to nurture and develop an environment where equality and inclusion can thrive whilst we Transform Lives and Inspire Change.

Declaration From Professor Anne-Marie Kilday, Vice Chancellor.

Professor Anne-Marie Kilday

Professor Anne-Marie Kilday

I am proud to be Vice Chancellor of an institution that values and promotes equality and inclusion. I pledge my support to both staff and students to ensure under my leadership, that the University of Northampton continues to work together to create a fair and inclusive environment where all individuals can excel.

Together@UON we will;

1. Create an inclusive and supportive environment that is safe, cohesive, free from fear and discrimination whilst enabling open discussion by:​

  • Adopt a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of hate including bullying and harassment, discrimination and violence.  We will work proactively with individuals who may need support because of race, ethnicity or nationality; religion; mental or physical impairment or disability; sexuality; trans-status; sex; pregnancy or maternity; or age.
  • Embed equity in everything we do, including in our learning and teaching, research and staff development, ensuring that we value the experiences of all, and promote inclusion of the voice of all marginalised groups.
  • Ensure all our activities, policies and procedures, are inclusive and relevant to our diverse community

2.  Actively support all our students and staff in a way that is respectful of their privacy and dignity by:​

  • Enabling staff and students from all levels of the organisation and all disciplines to work together to create, implement and monitor clear actions achieve our key priorities. We will ensure our students and staff receive the support needed to excel in everything they do.
  • Strengthening our commitment to the Mental Health Charter, investing in further training and creating an environment where students and staff feel comfortable talking about Mental Health issues.
  • Building on our Disability Confidence recognition to ensure all colleagues, regardless of mental or physical impairment or disability, feel supported and confident that we will work with them to remove barriers.
  • Ensuring students receive the support needed to excel in their academic studies and prepare them for the wider world through our professional student support services.

3. Being pro-active in tackling all inequalities by:

  • Involving students in the recruitment of student facing roles to encourage a diverse and representative workforce.
  • Bringing together the work of the Student Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Forum and the Staff Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Forum to analyse and respond to key equality data and drive forward the equality and inclusion agenda.
  • Encouraging and promoting the work of networks established to support staff and students with protected characteristics.

Pledges and Commitments

The University of Northampton pledges to celebrate and promote a diverse and inclusive community that bring diversity of thought and experiences.

We are committed to supporting our staff and students in an environment where everyone matters and everyone can excel.

We have produced a Trans Inclusion Statement to show our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community, including those who identify as transgender or non-binary. We have signed up to the Standalone Pledge showing our commitment to supporting students who are estranged from their families,  the Disability Confident Pledge showing our commitment to being inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities and the IHRA Working Definition showing a commitment to combating antisemitism.

  • In September 2019 the University extended our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme by signing up to level 2 and becoming a Disability Confident employer.

    Previously known as the Two Ticks scheme, this is a voluntary scheme and involves self-assessment against statements relating to recruiting, retaining and developing disabled people and developing our people. Not only does this help disabled people and those with long term health conditions have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations but it enables the University to access the valuable skills which disabled people can bring to the University.

    To find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme visit:  https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

  • Our commitment is to support Estranged Students through our Access and Participation Plan:

    • A financial bursary for estranged students supporting their undergraduate studies
    • A room in University-owned accommodation is guaranteed for all new, full-time and first year students, with flexible, year-round tenancies available.
    • Access to reactive mental health services and counselling.
    • Discount on postgraduate course fees.

  • UON’s University Management Team committed to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism in November 2021 and as such the IHRA is included in our Equality and Diversity Policy which directs the work of our student and staff EDI forums.

    For more information about the IHRA and the working definition of anti-Semitism please access the IHRA webpages.

  • The University of Northampton is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community, including those who identify as transgender or non-binary. We recognise and respect the rights of trans and non-binary individuals to live, work, and study without discrimination or harassment, and we are committed to supporting their access to equal opportunities.

    We understand that gender identity is a fundamental aspect of a person’s identity, and we strive to create an environment that celebrates diversity and promotes understanding and acceptance. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive space for trans and non-binary students, staff, and visitors, and to working with them to address any issues or concerns they may have and ensure their voice is heard.

    We recognize that there may be challenges and barriers that trans and non-binary individuals face in accessing education and other opportunities, and we are committed to addressing these issues and creating a more inclusive and equitable community for all. We will work to provide appropriate support and accommodations as needed, and to ensure that our policies and practices are inclusive and respectful of all genders. We are committed to ongoing education and training for all members of our community on issues related to gender identity, discrimination, and harassment.

    We are aware there is an active public debate regarding the acknowledgement of gender identity. We value and promote free speech and open debate as fundamental principles of our institution. We believe that respectful and constructive dialogue is essential for creating a diverse and inclusive community, and we encourage all members to engage in meaningful conversations and share their perspectives in a respectful manner.

    We recognize that these two principles, inclusion and free speech, may be perceived as being in tension with each other. However, we believe that it is possible to maintain a balance between these values and to create an environment where all members feel respected and valued.

    The fundamental principle of such dialogue is that all people whether cisgender, trans or non-binary deserve dignity and respect. This means that individuals have the right to be referred to by the names and pronouns they prefer; and that discussions involving and about trans and non-binary people acknowledge their identities as person centred.

    Therefore, we expect that all members of our community engage in respectful and constructive dialogue, that recognises the rights and dignity of all individuals. We will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment based on gender identity or any other characteristic, and we will take appropriate action to address any instances of such behaviour.

    We welcome feedback and suggestions from the trans and non-binary community on how we can improve our policies and practices to better support their needs and continue to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

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