Please note that the University’s Equality Policy and associated guidance are currently under review. For more information please see our update for Staff and Students.
1. The University of Oxford is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected. We recognise that the broad range of experiences that a diverse staff and student body brings strengthens our research and enhances our teaching, and that in order for Oxford to remain a world-leading institution we must continue to provide a diverse, inclusive, fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish.
2. The University embraces diversity amongst its members and seeks to achieve equal opportunities in the experience, progression and achievement of all students and staff through the implementation of transparent policies, practices and procedures and the provision of effective support. It also seeks to ensure that its public engagement work and services benefit diverse audiences and communities.
3. The University seeks to promote awareness of equality and foster good practice. The University is committed to a programme of action to support its equality policy, to monitoring its effectiveness, and to publishing information on progress towards its equality aims.
4. The University seeks to ensure that no member of its community is unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, or sexual orientation (hereafter referred to as the ‘protected characteristics’).1
5. In exercising its policies, practices, procedures and other functions, the University will have due regard to its duties under the Equality Act 2010 in relation to protected characteristics, as well as taking into account relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities, contract type, and working hours.
6. The University will seek to make a positive contribution to the advancement of equality as set out in the Equality Act 2010. In particular, the University will:
- Encourage applications for study and employment from the widest pool of potential candidates, especially where representation is disproportionately low, and take lawful positive action, for example with targeted scholarships, to improve diversity where appropriate.
- Take appropriate steps to meet the particular needs of individuals from protected groups where these are different from the needs of others, and work to eliminate any barriers to their success connected to their protected characteristics.
- With respect to students, seek to attract and admit students of outstanding potential from all backgrounds, and work to ensure that teaching and assessment provide an equal opportunity for all students to achieve and demonstrate their full academic potential. Decisions on the admission of students will be determined according to the individual merits of each candidate and the application of selection criteria appropriate to the course of study.
- With respect to staff, seek to ensure that entry into, and progression within, employment is determined according to criteria which are related to the duties of a particular post and the relevant grade; and support equal opportunities in career development and progression.
7. The University understands inclusion to mean institutional and individual efforts and actions to foster an environment and institutional culture in which each member feels, and is, valued, listened to and respected, able to be themselves and empowered to participate fully in the life of the University.
8. Academic freedom and freedom of speech, as outlined in the University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech and Statute XII, are protected by law and by the University’s statutes and policies. This includes the ability within academic practice to question and test received wisdom, and to put forward new ideas and controversial or unpopular opinions. These rights must be exercised within the law and within reasonable restrictions set out in University policies and codes of practice.
9. The University expects all members of the University community to treat each other with respect, courtesy and consideration and does not tolerate any form of unlawful discrimination, bullying, harassment or victimisation. It has a Harassment Policy, which includes examples of unacceptable behaviour.
