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
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 signed up to three commitments, 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.
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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/