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Study with us
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Our equality working groups
Our equality work is split into three groups:
Equality Working Group
Our Equality Working Group focuses on all aspects of equality, diversity and inclusion. This group is currently working on staff culture, training and revision of Athena Swan action plan objectives.
Members
- Professor Louise Haagh
- Dr Eva Heims
- Marysia Koc
BAME and International Students Mentorship Scheme Working Group
Our BAME and International Students Mentorship Scheme Working Group works on the design and implementation of our mentorship scheme.
Members
- Dr Remi Adekoya
- Dr Kieran Durkin
- Professor Louise Haagh
- Dr Joe Turner
No-Gaps Project
The No-Gaps Project seeks to close attainment gaps and designs policies to achieve this aim.
Members
- Dr Remi Adekoya
- Dr Kieran Durkin
- Professor Louise Haagh
- Dr Eva Heims
- Marysia Koc
- Dr Sara Van Goozen
- Dr Matthew Whiting
At York, we place equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, from teaching and scholarship to research and impact, to the organisation and administration of all our activities.
Professor Tony Heron, Head of Department of Politics and International Relations
Recognition for gender equality
We're proud holders of the Athena Swan Bronze Award, which reflects our commitment to recruiting, retaining, and supporting the careers of women and all staff in line with gender equality principles.
We renewed our Bronze Award in 2023 under the Transformed Athena Swan Charter, outlining our progress and priorities for the next five years.
We also celebrate excellence through our Athena Swan Initiative Award, which recognises staff and students who implement or extend Athena Swan's principles.
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 2018 (renewed in 2023).
- 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.
- 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 politics and international relations should be open to all. The University offers a range of outreach schemes for 16-18 year old students.
- 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 (EDI). 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.
