Study with us
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Group members
- Daniel Morgan, EDI Champion, Disability Officer
- Louise Richardson, Athena Swan Lead
- Liz Greensted
- Mary Leng
- Sandrine Bergès
- Paul Noordhof
Diversity in teaching and research
Our research and teaching celebrate a breadth of perspectives, bringing to light marginalised voices and ensuring philosophy has a meaningful impact far beyond the lecture theatre.
Spotlight: Sandrine Bergès
Sandrine Bergès, British Academy Global Professor at York, leads the British Academy–funded project Voices of the Abolition. The project explores abolitionist debates in 18th-century France and Britain, with a focus on voices that have often been left out of the historical record.
The Department supports this work through public-facing outputs such as presentations and displays. One recent display explores the abolitionist Olaudah Equiano and his impact in York:
- An Abolitionist in York: a Display for Black History Month (Google Slides)
Sandrine’s wider research includes work on the philosophy of domesticity and on women philosophers of the French Revolution. She is also the co-founder of two European networks supporting women in philosophy.
Sandrine Bergès is the author of Liberty in Their Names: Women Philosophers of the French Revolution.
Philosophy in action
We believe that philosophy belongs to everyone. Our staff take philosophical inquiry out of the lecture theatre and into the community, fostering dialogue in unexpected places and ensuring that background is never a barrier to intellectual exploration.
Spotlight: Mike Stuart
Mike Stuart, a lecturer specialising in the ethics and epistemology of science, works with Philosophy in Prison, a UK charity that brings philosophical discussion to incarcerated individuals across the country.
As a member of the charity’s Advisory Board, Mike teaches two ten-week courses each year and organises one-off philosophy events. During the coronavirus pandemic, he helped develop tablet-based courses so learning could continue during lockdowns.
If you'd like to get involved, please contact Mike (mike.stuart@york.ac.uk).
Mike Stuart serves on the Advisory Board of Philosophy in Prison (philosophyinprison).
If the world is deterministic
Philosophy provides the tools to interrogate the very nature of our reality. Below, one of Mike's Philosophy in Prison students reflects on the tensions between physical determinism and human agency.
If the world is deterministic
then a particle’s paths follow secular maths
without being probabilistic.
But what then can be said for our question of free will?
If all actions have been plotted then we act until
our decided end; wholly unmystic.
If the world is deterministic
then night follows day in a hum-drum way,
predictably realistic.
Does a supernatural pen write across the universe?
If it’s all and truly scripted could someone coerce
the tide of space to be authentic?
If the world is deterministic
then two follows one and on and on,
the whole thing makes me feel pessimistic.
Our commitments
We’ve developed a range of initiatives across the Department, as well as actively engaging with University-wide initiatives to support our staff and students.
- Gender equality: We’ve made gender equality a priority in all aspects of our work. Our efforts were recognised with an Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2025.
- Race and equality: Our staff and students come from a range of backgrounds and nationalities. We thrive as a result of our diverse community.
- LGBTQ+: We’re dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ students and staff as part of our efforts to create a respectful community in which everyone can be themselves.
- Trans and non-binary: We provide a welcoming environment for people to be who they are, irrespective of their gender identity, and we value their unique contributions.
- Disability: We work closely with the University's Disability Services team to help make sure our learning and working environments are accessible to everyone. We aim to make our teaching accessible by default. Approximately one third of our students have a registered disability.
- Mental health: We have a dedicated Student Experience and Support Officer who provides tailored support to students experiencing difficulties.
- Parents and carers: We fully endorse University policies that enable our staff to work in family-friendly ways. Students who are parents or carers also receive additional support from the University and us throughout study.
- Widening participation: We believe the study of philosophy should be open to all. The University offers a range of outreach schemes for 16 to 18 year old students. A number of scholarships and bursaries are also available.
- Mentoring and coaching: Mentoring schemes are available for staff and students. We pair new undergraduate students with second or third year mentors to help them find their feet at university.
Supporting staff and students
At York, we have various sources of support and information about equality, diversity and inclusion. Every department has an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion who acts as a visible and proactive advocate of EDI within their department.
Regular events are held to raise awareness of present-day barriers and highlight ongoing work to remove such challenges across the University.
Advice, guidance and information for students, and for staff supporting students, on equality related issues.
Information about University-wide EDI initiatives, staff networks, and health and wellbeing support.
