At ARU, we work to embed equality, diversity and inclusion across all aspects of university life, from governance and employment practices to student support, accessibility and campus culture.
Through targeted initiatives, inclusive policies and institution-wide leadership, we seek to remove barriers, address discrimination and create opportunities for underrepresented groups. These commitments are supported by dedicated governance structures, staff and student networks, disability support services and external frameworks such as the Athena Swan Charter and Race Equality Charter, helping ensure that inclusion is embedded in both our day-to-day operations and long-term institutional strategy.
Driving change through strong diversity governance
Equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights are embedded throughout ARU’s institutional decision-making as a core strategic priority rather than a series of standalone initiatives.
Our University's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team works alongside dedicated governance bodies including the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group (EDISG), the Student Success Steering Group (SSSG) and the Access and Participation Steering Group. All groups report into ARU's Corporate Management Team, ensuring that issues relating to inclusion, participation and fairness receive strategic oversight at the highest level.
This governance structure has supported the delivery of a number of high-profile institutional achievements in the last few years, including the University's institutional Silver Athena Swan Award (2024) recognising progress in advancing gender equity, implementation of ARU's Race Equality Strategy and continued monitoring of workforce diversity, recruitment outcomes and pay equality.
Athena Swan Silver Award in 2024
We've been engaged with Athena Swan since 2012 and, in 2024, achieved an institutional Silver Athena Swan Award in recognition of sustained progress in advancing gender equity across the University. ARU is one of a small number of UK universities to have achieved this level of recognition. The award acknowledged progress in areas including enhanced, sector-leading maternity and adoption support, improved representation of women in senior academic roles, career development initiatives, flexible working arrangements and support for students and staff.
Inclusivity networks to support staff from under-represented groups
We invest in a range of support networks and opportunities that help staff from underrepresented groups feel welcomed, valued and able to succeed. The University maintains a growing portfolio of Staff Inclusivity Networks, including the Race and Ethnic Equality Network (REEN), Women's Staff Network, Disabled Staff Network, LGBTQ+ Network and Part-Time and Flexible Working Forum. These provide peer support, mentoring opportunities, safe spaces for discussion and routes to influence policy and institutional practice. They also play a significant role in awareness-raising activities, staff development and consultation across the University.
Disability inclusion
We are committed to enabling staff and students with disabilities to participate fully in university life. Accessible facilities are available across ARU campuses and are complemented by specialist disability support services, accessible technologies, tailored advice and individual support arrangements designed to remove barriers to participation. The University works closely with students and staff to identify individual requirements and implement reasonable adjustments that support equal access to education, employment and wider university activities. These arrangements are embedded within ARU's broader commitment to reducing inequalities and promoting inclusion.
Alongside physical accessibility measures, ARU has a range of support measures for students with disabilities including access to specialist advisers, learning support, wellbeing services and tailored guidance students. Individual support plans and reasonable adjustments help ensure that students can fully engage with learning and assessment. Through institution-wide approaches to accessibility, ongoing investment in student support and the work of the Disabled Staff Network, ARU seeks to create an environment where disability is not a barrier to achievement, participation or progression.
Anti-harassment
Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion framework makes clear that harassment, bullying and discrimination are unacceptable and provides mechanisms through which concerns can be raised and addressed. Staff and students are supported through institutional policies, equality training, wellbeing services and reporting mechanisms designed to promote respectful behaviour and protect members of the University community from discrimination and harassment.
Our anti-racism work has strengthened this commitment further. Through implementation of the Anti-Racism Charter, race equity initiatives, staff networks and educational programmes such as the Unlearn Series, we actively work to challenge behaviours and structures that contribute to exclusion and discrimination. These activities help foster a culture where differences are valued, diverse perspectives are respected and all members of the university community can participate on equal terms.
Last updated: October 2026
To request additions, corrections or changes to the information in these pages, please contact: Dr Zareen Bharucha: [email protected]. Please use the subject line ‘ARU SDG’.