MDX awarded Race Equality Charter accolade for efforts to remove racial inequalities

As the world celebrates Black History Month in October, the award shows MDX’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion

Middlesex University is delighted to have been awarded the prestigious Race Equality Charter Bronze Award from Advance HE for its efforts to promote an inclusive culture and remove racial inequalities.

Advance HE, a leading charity that works to improve higher education for staff, students and society, also praised MDX for its “bold and ambitious” action plan which sets out how the University will achieve its targets over the coming years.

As the world celebrates Black History Month in October, the award shows MDX’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion among its diverse global community.

The Race Equality Charter’s mission is to improve the representation, experience, progression and success of racially minoritised staff and students within higher education.

It provides a rigorous and robust framework through which institutions work to critically reflect and act on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of the progression and success of racially minoritised staff and students.

MDX is one of currently 99 Race Equality Charter members, who hold 44 awards between them.

Anne Mwangi, Head of the Race Equality Charter scheme at Advance HE, said, “REC Bronze is recognition of an institution’s robust foundation for eliminating racial inequalities, developing inclusive cultures and moving from commitment to sustainable and integrated bold and ambitious action. Advance HE looks forward to supporting Middlesex University as it progresses its action plans to advance race equality.”

In total, 64% of all London-based students at Middlesex University in 2020/21 and currently 32% of staff are from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background.

This Charter application has focused on achievements such as the #NoHomeforHate poster, social media and video campaign which included promoting mechanisms for reporting hate-related incidents for both staff and students. In addition, it highlighted MDX's commitment to lowering the attainment gap for students from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background.

The University has now launched a comprehensive Race Equality Action Plan to bring about meaningful change.

Professor Sean Wellington, Interim Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University, said: “Middlesex is on a journey to become a genuinely diverse and inclusive global community, which requires ongoing cultural change, and we are fully aware there is considerable work needed to achieve the desired learning and development outcomes.

“However this Race Equality Charter Bronze Award, which was a very rigorous process, is a fantastic recognition of our efforts so far. I would like to make a special thanks to all staff and students who worked so hard to achieve this accolade.

“The journey is far from over and we will continue working as a community to address inequalities.”