It is now over one year since we launched our Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy. We have achieved a lot since this time including but not limited to receiving Race Equality Charter Silver award, starting and implementing the Inclusive Recruitment Review and hosting well engaged and interactive awareness events and the celebration of diversity, including but not limited to the following:

• LGBT History Month
• International Women’s Day
• Black History Month
• Islamophobia Awareness month
• Disability History Month

Other activities include:

• Faculties and Professional Services now receive summary reports of Report & Support Cases so they can monitor and address local issues. 
• The implementation of Equality Impact Assessments (EIA) in all decision-making processes for strategic change projects and associated People policies.
• Conducting benchmarking exercises across Gender, Sexual Orientation and Disability to reflect improved culture and practice across the University.
• There are several other activities planned and we would like to hear from you regarding how we achieve our aim of being a truly inclusive organisation.
• The following Belonging film shows some of the reflections shared by some of our colleagues.

One of the ways by which you can get involved in the EDI strategy implementation is by engaging with the EDI Blog. The blog supports EDI Strategy Priority One: Inclusive environment and culture by creating “safe spaces for listening and building stronger partnerships with our student and staff networks to progress EDI and develop solutions to concerns raised in the forums.”

The posts you will read here come from colleagues from around the University – it is a channel through which  we can share our thoughts and insights related to  EDI. This is also an opportunity to be more aware of others’ views, learn more about new initiatives that are happening in different areas of the University as well as see the everyday impact of the EDI agenda.

If you would like to write for the blog please contact Sami – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Partner and Data Analyst Lead:  sami.karamalla-gaiballa@manchester.ac.uk 

Banji Adewumi – Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Manchester

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