The University is committed to and supports Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in many ways to advance its vision to create an inclusive environment for work and study which celebrates the diversity of staff and students. The School of Social Science contributes to this wider vision through its own School level EDI plans, actions, and activities involving students, staff, and other relevant stakeholders.
The School of Social Science's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDIC) supports the Head of School by having oversight of and responsibility for EDI issues within the School, including the implementation of university wide EDI related policies at the School level and the development of the School’s own EDI practice. The EDIC is chaired by the School Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Leads Kathrin Thomas and Sone Erikainen. You can find an organisational chart of the School here.
Social Science EDIC has been constituted in accordance with UoA policy and includes the following representatives:
- School Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Leads
- Representative from School Education Committee
- Representative from School Research Committee
- School Athena Swan Lead
- Race Equality Champion
- School Disability Adviser
- LGBT+ Network Representative
- HR Representative
- Athena Swan Officer dedicated to the School
- School Administration Manager (or nominee)
- Head of School (ex officio)
- Clerk
EDIC is working towards implementing a range of measures to support and improve equality, diversity, and inclusion. Reporting to the School Executive Committee, EDIC works together with other School level committees to promote EDI within the school as well as working with other EDI related committees and groups across the university to promote EDI at the institutional level. The EDIC remit includes reviewing, monitoring and facilitating the implementation of University level EDI policies and initiatives in the School; developing and implementing the School’s own EDI initiatives and practices; and encouraging and supporting learning and development of EDI related capacity within the School. Anyone in the School who would like to discuss issues relating to these or other EDI themes, are welcome to get in touch with Kat and / or Sone.
Gender Equality
The School of Social Science currently holds an Athena Swan Silver award, attesting progress in advancing gender equality in academia and serving as a testament to the School’s commitment and dedication to this. You can access our Athena Swan Silver Submission here. The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research across the world. The university as a whole is committed to advancing gender equality and holds a Bronze Athena Swan Institutional award, including an institutional five year Gender Equality Action Plan which you can access here. In addition to its own Athena Swan Action plan, the School of Social Science is committed and working to enhance and promote the university level Action Plan.
UoA is committed to reduce discrimination on based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Race Equality
UoA as a whole holds a Race Equality Charter (REC) Bronze Award, and the School of Social Science EDIC is responsible for and working towards implementing the related action plan at the School level. You can access information about the Race Equality Charter and related work that is underway here. The School also has its own a Race Equality Campion who is a member of and works together with the EDIC to promote race equality within the School. The Race Equality Campion supports the development and implementation of good practice in relation race equality, diversity, and inclusion, and works as a point of contact for both staff and students who would like to discuss or raise issues relating to race equality. The Race Equality Champion for the School is Ritu Vij.
Resources
The School of Social Sciences has different committees ensuring smooth functioning of its business, you can access a list of these committees and their members here.
The UoA has a network of EDI initiatives, see a chart of this network here. UoA also has a range of Staff and PGR Student Equality Networks that are open to staff and PGR students at the School of Social Science, including:
- LGBTQ+ Network
- Women’s Development Network
- Parents and Carers Network
- Menopause Network
- Race Equality Network
- Disability Network
- Neurodiversity Network
AUSA offers a range of groups and societies that are open to students at the School of Social Science that are related to and can provide peer support around EDI related issues, including gender and gender diversity, race and ethnicity, sexual identity, and disability and neurodiversity, among others.
The School of Social Science EDIC is responsible for facilitating and supporting the implementation of the University of Aberdeen EDI related policies at the School level, including:
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy
- Staffing Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace
- Addressing Gender Based Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- Anti-Racism Strategy
- Religion and Belief Policy
- Gender Action Plan
- Transgender Equality Policy
- Menopause Policy
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy
- Safeguarding Policy
Members of staff may be interested in various forms of flexible working arrangements. These include part-time working, flexible working hours, career breaks, and others. Information is available in the University's Flexible Working webpages.
Did you know that School staff on maternity, parental and other forms of leave from work can, if they wish, take advantage of Keeping in Touch (KIT) Days? This involves being paid for up to 10 days work during the leave. Full information on leave is available on the University website.