Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Services

EDI Services offers expertise to Schools, Services and Departments across Loughborough University and beyond, to drive the institution towards becoming a more equitable, diverse and inclusive place.

Our Values, Vision and Purpose

Our values form the foundations of everything we do, and our vision and purpose sets out the direction of our work and the transformation we aim to enable at the university. 

Values 

Our vision and purpose is driven by our values of courageempathycollaborationresponsibilitychallenge and integrity. 

Vision 

  • To build awareness, engagement and curiosity for EDI 
  • For people to be able to learn about EDI in a way that allows them to grow and explore any discomfort    
  • For everyone at Loughborough to contribute to EDI as part of their role 
  • To become an anti-discriminatory institution 

Our vision is for Loughborough University to become an anti-discriminatory organisation where everyone contributes to EDI. We build awareness, engagement and curiosity for EDI by creating opportunities for learning, challenge and growth. In doing this, we do not shy away from discomfort and through the services we provide, encourage others to do the same. 

Purpose 

  • To create safety for marginalised groups 
  • To provide toolkits and frameworks to facilitate courageous conversations 
  • To create a culture of exploration and discovery where mistakes are allowed 
  • To work with theoretical frameworks and provide thought leadership in EDI 
  • To act as enablers for EDI work across the institution  
  • To embed EDI as a business function so that EDI work is expected, recognised and rewarded 
  • To encourage accountability for EDI in senior leadership
  • To embed anti-discriminatory practice through all activities 
  • To use robust EDI data to evaluate the institution’s progress 

Working with theoretical frameworks and providing thought leadership in EDI, we act as enablers for EDI work across the institution, prioritising safety for marginalised groups. We collaborate with Schools and services to embed EDI as a business function so that EDI work is expected, recognised and rewarded by default. Using our collective expertise, the EDI Services team creates toolkits and frameworks to facilitate courageous conversations where discovery and mistakes are allowed. We commit to using robust EDI data to evaluate the institution’s progress and hold senior leaders accountable for EDI. 

Freedom of Speech

The Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act introduces new duties for promotion of freedom of speech with reference to Universities, The Office for Students (OFS) and Students’ unions. Under this new Act Universities must ensure staff and students’ freedom of speech are protected and promoted.

The University upholds its commitment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion EDI and in the coming weeks resources will be made available on how colleagues can be both compliant with their Freedom of Speech and EDI duties.

Freedom of Expression Freedom of Speech (Advance HE) EDI campaigns