Diversity and inclusion strategy
The development of Aston's diversity and inclusion strategy ensures that our commitment to embracing diversity, and creating a truly inclusive environment is communicated effectively to all stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Bullying and Harassment
Harassment, bullying and victimisation have a detrimental effect on learning and working environments and will not be tolerated. Our Bullying and Harassment Policy outlines how we support our community.
- Bullying and Harassment Policy
Caring
At Aston we appreciate that many of our staff and students have caring responsibilities. We also recognise that the circumstances and demands will vary for each individual carer. We are committed to providing appropriate support in each individual case.
- Childcare facilities
Learn more about the childcare facilities available on campus.
- Support for parents
Learn more about support available to parents.
- Financial support for students with children
Learn more about what financial support is available to students with children.
- Financial support for students with other caring responsibilities
Find support available for students with other caring responsibilities.
Disability
We are committed to promoting equality and valuing diversity amongst our staff and students. We encourage applications from people with disabilities and additional needs. We are proud to be recognised by the government’s Disability Confident Scheme.
- Visitor support
Information for visitors with disabilities or additional needs
Lowered kerbs, lifts and adapted facilities, along with the compact and flat nature of the 40 acre campus, all help facilitate the mobility and general well-being of those with disabilities.
Disabled car parking is available at locations P1, 20 and 24, marked on the campus map (please see below). Spaces will need to be booked in advance, so please contact the person you are visiting at Aston to make arrangements.
For further information, contact the Disability Team on +44(0)121 204 5015 or contact the department you are visiting.
- Hidden disability sunflower scheme
We support the Hidden Disability Sunflower Scheme. Staff and students can obtain a Sunflower pin badge from The Hub on the ground floor of the Main Building. Please contact diversity@aston.ac.uk for further information.
- Disability Confident Scheme
We are proud to engage with the Disability Confident scheme, in order to ensure that we are making the most of the talents that people with disabilities can bring to Aston. We are currently recognised as a Disability Confident Employer (level two), and we are working towards Disability Confident Leader status.
More information about the Disability Confident scheme.
If you wish to be involved, please contact h.e.bartlett@aston.ac.uk.
- Enabling team
Contact our student enabling team here.
Faith
We are committed to promoting an environment that is welcoming to people of all backgrounds, beliefs and those with no belief.
- Chaplaincy
The multi-faith chaplaincy team is experienced at listening and offering pastoral and spiritual guidance, prayer, support and friendship. Care and support is offered to all, regardless of background including those of no faith.
- Aston Faith Societies
Aston boasts a diverse student body, which is reflected by our many student clubs and societies.
Gender
At Aston, whilst we recognise that there are fewer women than men in senior positions, we strive for equality a levels of the University. Our engagement with Advance HE’s Athena SWAN gender equality charter provides a valuable framework for the identification of effective actions to address this.
- Athena SWAN
Learn more about our Athena SWAN activities.
- Gender Pay Gap
Learn more about how we are addressing our gender pay gap.
- Inspiring Women staff network
One way to help people succeed is through the development of networks. Inspiring women at Aston is open to staff who are keen to help women develop and achieve.
Meetings are held weekly, with the purpose of:
- Supporting one another and the development of a network
- Looking for opportunities to enhance the lives of careers and women
- Providing a safe space for discussion (Chatham House rules apply)
- Inviting guests and speakers with interesting and motivational stories to tell.
To get involved, email iwa@aston.ac.uk
- Women in business student network
Learn more about our student network, Women in Business, and how you can get involved.
LGBT+
At Aston we are committed to the positive development of LGBT+ equality and diversity through effective representation, support and leadership. We are working collectively with our networks to ensure a positive experience for all of our staff and students.
- LGBT Charter
Our LGBT Charter outlines our commitment to, and progress towards, LGBT inclusion.
LGBT Student Charter ASTON'S CHARTER MEASURES for COMMITMENT TO LGBT INCLUSION
Our Commitment and Actions Taken
THEMES
Aston recognises positive contributions in respect of LGBT network/group activity as evidence of good citizenship.
Aston recognises positive contributions in respect of LGBT network group activity as evidence of good citizenship.
Citizenship
Aston will visually signal its commitment to the LGBT community
Aston has produced rainbow lanyards to signal its support of the gay community.
Events and Awareness
Aston will develop and communicate policies relating to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Aston will develop and communicate a transitioning policy.
Aston provides an option for recognising non-binary identities on workplace systems.Monitoring, compliance, policy
Aston ensures that mechanisms are in place for staff to report LGBT-related issues.
The University will also ensure that discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or trans identity is not tolerated and that relevant policies are in place to ensure compliance.
The harassment and bullying policy has been updated to specifically reference examples of harassment relating to sexual orientation and gender identity.
Family friendly policies, such as dependant care, compassionate leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave have been reviewed and modified to ensure that language is gender neutral and that same sex couples are not inadvertently marginalised.
The University commits to regularly review these policies to ensure they remain fit for purpose and in line with good practice.
Monitoring, compliance, policy
Aston has LGBT Networks open to all staff and will provide information about LGBT Events.
Aston has an LGBT network group for LGBT colleagues and commits to promote this as being open to all employees
Aston will consider agreeing defined yearly objectives, as appropriate and in the best interests of the group's members
Aston provides information about LGBT events.
Networks and support
Aston has an LGBT working group committed to looking at continuous organisational development and improvement for LGBT colleagues.
Aston’s LGBT working group were responsible for setting up the Aston LGBT Charter
The working group commits to meet regularly throughout the year to review actions against the charter and to discuss matters arising where further improvements can be made.
The LGBT working group, will also work on continuously improving internal policies and practices which impact upon employee welfare.
Networks and support
Aston provides new starters with information on Inclusive Aston, including information on the LGBT employee networks.
Information about the staff networks including the LGBT network is included in the Management Essentials Handbook
The New Starters webpage will include information to new starters on groups and networks, including the LGBT network and working group
Recruitment and Induction
Aston enhances contributions to the university by employing a diverse workforce, recognising the benefit of engaging staff who identify as LGBT, and considering potential barriers to recruitment.
Aston commits to review its recruitment practices periodically and to ensure that any known barriers to attracting staff from the LGBT community are removed.
Aston will include a policy statement on the recruitment landing page about valuing diversity, and a link to Inclusive Aston which explicitly references its support of LGBT people.
Aston will review its recruitment and selection practices, to ensure that the process is fair, transparent and without bias. This includes considering blind shortlisting (i.e. removing personal/equality related information) when shortlisting, where appropriate to do so.
Aston will ensure that potential applicants have relevant information about the LGBT employee network group or LGBT inclusion activities, to encourage LGBT applicants to apply.
Recruitment and Induction
Aston supports LGBT employees and allies to become visible role models at all levels of the organisation.
Aston will promote the importance of allies
Aston commits to actively speak out against discrimination towards LGBT people
Aston will seek to share personal stories from LGBT people, as appropriate.
Role Models and Allies
Aston provides career development opportunities to all employees and ensures these are communicated without disadvantaging specific groups, including those who identify as LGBT.
Aston encourages all managers to support career development and to have opportunities with all staff, regardless of personal characteristics, via its My Development Conversation process.
Staff Training and Development
Aston will endeavour to educate or inform the wider organisation and community about sexual orientation, gender identity and trans issues.
Aston will support LGBT people by ensuring awareness and EDI training is available, including challenging inappropriate behaviour, negative language and assumptions, unconscious bias, and discrimination and the steps to eliminate bias.
Aston will support board level and senior management to understand issues that affect LGBT people. Aston senior leaders send an explicit message on their commitment to LGBT inclusion.
- LGBT+ staff network
The Aston University LGBT+ Staff Network leads on positive development of LGBT+inclusion, through effective representation, support, and leadership.
Get Involved
If you want to find out more or get involved, simply email one of the contacts below or to join the mailing list please click here.
If you would be interested in joining the committee or would like more information about what that would involve, please get in touch with the Chair (contact details below).Rainbow Lanyards
Rainbow lanyards are now available from both the HR and the IT Helpdesk. In line with this we have compiled some information about what the lanyards represent, including further information about the LGBT+ community such as key terminology. We hope this helps although if you have any further questions or want to know more, please do get in touch with us.
Useful Information
General Enquiries
Chair: Lauren Morgan or 0121 204 4988
Membership Officer: Rob Stevens
Network Representative: Danny Burrell
Socials Officer: Currently Vacant
Communications Officer: Currently Vacant
- Student LGBT+ Society
Learn more about our Student LGBT + Society and how you can get involved.
Race
We are committed to improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students at Aston. We are engaging with Advance HE's race equality charter to determine the best interventions to effect change.
- Advance HE Race Equality charter
Find out more about our work towards race equality.
- Student clubs and societies
Aston boasts a diverse student body, which is reflected by our many Student clubs and societies.
- Working groups
Students and staff are welcome to get involved in our Supporting Black Staff and Students and our Decolonising the Curriculum working groups. Please email diversity@aston.ac.uk for information.
Reporting and policies
We aim to support the wellbeing of all students and staff through our policies, procedures and support services. It is important to us that staff and students feel safe and able to communicate any concerns, and are easily able to find appropriate support and guidance when needed.
- Speak Up Policy
Aston's speak up policy provides a confidential and secure way for you to raise concerns about conduct.
- Staff Policies
Learn more about our staff policies.
- Student Support
Learn more about the support that is available to our students.
- Health and Wellbeing
Learn more about how we support the health and wellbeing of our students.