The University of Leeds has achieved a Bronze Race Equality Charter award from Advance HE, recognising the depth and integrity to understand and commit to address racial inequalities.
The Race Equality Charter provides a national framework for universities to examine institutional and cultural barriers affecting staff and students from racially minoritised ethnic backgrounds and to develop clear, measurable action plans to remove them.
This award marks an important milestone in a journey that began formally in October 2023, when the University launched its commitment to the Charter with a clear ambition to become a truly anti-racist institution. Since then, colleagues and students from across the community have contributed to a rigorous, and at times challenging process of reflection and analysis.
We are committed to delivering our action plan with accountability, transparency and sustained focus.
A journey shaped by evidence and lived experience
In December 2024, more than 2,000 colleagues responded to the University's Race Equality Charter survey, including more than 440 minoritised ethnic staff. The findings were clear. While many colleagues reported positive experiences, minoritised ethnic staff were significantly more likely to report feeling uncomfortable discussing race, feeling the need to act differently at work, or lacking confidence that discrimination would be addressed appropriately.
The University of Leeds published key insights from the survey and held briefing sessions to share the findings openly. This evidence, alongside detailed HR data and intersectional analysis, formed the backbone of action planning.
Together with that analysis, the University established three Race Equality Charter Forums, bringing together staff and students regularly throughout the academic year to reflect on institutional data, identify systemic gaps and share lived experience. The Forums reported directly to the Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team, ensuring that community voice shaped the submission and priorities for change.
A Bronze level award requires universities to have demonstrated honest self-reflection and to commit to robust actions to address them.
Strengthening our submission
The University of Leeds has taken time to ensure that the Race Equality Charter work is aligned with the One Leeds strategy. This will ensure that advancing race equity is not a standalone initiative but is embedded within the wider institutional strategic objectives.
The new 2025 - 2027 EDI Implementation Plan was developed under the guidance of the University's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, approved by University Executive Group and endorsed by the Ethics and Values Committee. It sets out five fundamental themes of activity that underpin this work, including governance, culture, evidence and insight, policy and structures, and developing people. The REC award action plan fully integrates with the One Leeds White Paper and continued work across People and Culture, including progress on Career Pathways.
Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds, said: "Receiving the Bronze award recognises the seriousness and integrity with which colleagues across our University have approached this work. Through One Leeds, we have been clear that building a more inclusive, equitable and accessible institution is central to our future.
"This award affirms the strength of our self-assessment and action planning and strengthens our resolve to deliver sustained, measurable change for our staff and students."
From recognition to delivery
This award status is not an endpoint. It marks the beginning of the next phase of delivery. The University of Leeds' Race Equality Charter action plan spans five years and is overseen through the University's EDI governance structures.
Jennifer Sewel, University Secretary and Registrar of the University of Leeds, said: "Our participation in the Race Equality Charter has required collective courage, humility and persistence. We are grateful to the many colleagues and students who have contributed their insight, challenge and expertise to this process.
"As we move into the next phase, our focus remains clear, to build a University where everyone feels they belong, where barriers are actively dismantled, and where equity is embedded in our culture, systems and leadership."
The award is valid until February 2031, during which time action will be taken across a wide range of areas to tackle the challenges identified.
Chris Hall, Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Leeds, said: "This award reflects the honesty with which we have examined our data and engaged with our students and staff to genuinely consider their lived experiences. I want to acknowledge the significant contribution of the REC Self Assessment Team, our Race Equality Charter Forums, N4MES (our network for minoritised ethnic staff) and other colleagues from across the University whose insight and lived experience strengthened our submission and action plan.
"The next phase of this work is about implementation. We are committed to delivering our action plan with accountability, transparency and sustained focus.
"Receiving the award is fantastic. But it is now about taking action that will dismantle barriers and improve the experience of our racially minoritised staff and students, embedding race equity into the fabric of our institution.
The Race Equality Charter
The Race Equality Charter's mission is to improve the representation, experience, progression and success of racially minoritised staff and students within higher education.
It provides a rigorous and robust framework through which institutions work to critically reflect and act on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of the progression and success of racially minoritised staff and students.
Anne Mwangi, Head of the Race Equality Charter, said: "REC Bronze is recognition of an institution's robust foundation for eliminating racial inequalities, developing inclusive cultures and moving from commitment to sustainable and integrated bold and ambitious action.
"Advance HE looks forward to supporting the University of Leeds as it progresses its action plans to advance race equality."
