Oxford Brookes University recognised with Race Equality Charter Bronze Award

Oxford Brookes University has achieved a Bronze Award through the Race Equality Charter (REC), in recognition of its commitment to improving racial equity for staff and students.

Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter provides a rigorous framework for higher education institutions to identify and address institutional and cultural barriers facing Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff and students.

The University’s application followed a 15-month comprehensive self-assessment led by the Race Equality Steering Group (RESG), chaired by Chief People Officer Sarah Thonemann. The RESG comprises a broad range of staff and student representatives from across the institution, who worked collaboratively to analyse key data and lived experiences.

Adrienne Hopkins, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Oxford Brookes, said: “The Bronze REC award is something to be proud of, but we recognise it’s only the beginning of a sustained journey to improve racial equality. We look forward to switching our attention now to implementation, and to making tangible progress in the priority areas we have identified.”

Sarah Thonemann added: “This award reflects the progress we’ve made, but also reinforces our commitment to doing much more. We have laid the foundations and will now build on this framework to work towards achieving Silver.”

The self-assessment analysed staff and student data, survey responses and other metrics, and drew on a wide range of recent reports into different aspects of staff and student culture. It identified six priorities for the next five years, including: 

• Fostering a sense of community where all staff and students feel able to be themselves
• Ensuring BAME students have access to appropriate support and services
• Addressing incidents of harassment and discrimination
• Increasing the proportion of BAME staff across the University

Progress is already being seen, with the proportion of BAME staff rising from 13.2% in 2020 to 18.6% in 2024 — aligning with the UK higher education sector average. Over the same period, BAME student representation grew from 27% to 30%.

Anne Mwangi, Head of the Race Equality Charter 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 Oxford Brookes University as it progresses its action plans to advance race equality.”

Learn more about the Race Equality Charter on the Advance HE website.