LGBTQ+ Staff Forum

  • At Oxford Brookes University, we are committed to ensuring the very best staff experience where all our community can flourish in a culture of respect and support, where we celebrate difference and thrive on each other’s success. As part of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion we have set up a LGBTQ+ Staff Forum.

    If you would like to join the Forum or have any questions or queries, please contact Jayne Stuart: jstuart@brookes.ac.uk or lgbtqplus@brookes.ac.uk

    Read some of our LGBTQ+ staff profiles »

  • Your help and views on LGBTQ+ inclusion at Oxford Brookes!

    Stonewall employee survey

    We have participated in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index (WEI) for the past two years and have just submitted our self-assessment evidence for the 2020 Index. This year we are participating in the employee survey for the first time and we encourage all staff to spend five minutes feeding back your experiences of LGBTQ+ inclusion at Brookes. You will need the University’s unique 4-digit code 1475 to log into the survey. It is anonymous and open to all staff, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

    The survey attracts over 90,000 respondents from all employment sectors, and helps to assess the perspectives from all employees about LGBTQ+ inclusion. By taking part we are demonstrating our collective commitment to addressing LGBTQ+ inequality in the workplace. We will receive analysis of our results and feedback on our submission from Stonewall in the spring of 2020.

    The survey closes on Friday 1 November.

  • Terms of Reference

    The LGBTQ+ Staff Forum has been established to support members of staff in their working lives and to promote awareness of issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity within the workplace. The term LGBTQ+ refers to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning plus all other sexual orientations and non-conforming gender identities and is a term we use to make the Staff Forum as inclusive as possible.

    The broad aims of the Forum are to:

    • Represent the views of LGBTQ+ staff and support all members of staff across the University with issues relating to LGBTQ+.
    • Provide a gateway of support and assistance to LGBTQ+ staff.
    • Enable LGBTQ+ staff to contribute to policy development and review or propose matters for consideration
    • Provide a consultation forum for the University to gather views on particular developments or new initiatives.

    Members usually meet over lunch on a regular basis and it is an opportunity for LGBTQ+ staff to get to know colleagues from across the University.

    A small steering group (consisting of Forum members), with the assistance of the HR Business Partnership Manager (EDI), will determine key issues that require discussion and action. Meetings will be arranged as necessary and the Forum will organise at least one event each year eg during LGBTQ+ History Month.

    The Forum may also assist in prioritising issues and actions relevant to LGBTQ+ staff in liaison with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group.

    The University is a Stonewall Diversity Champion and occasionally our Stonewall Account Manager will attend meetings to provide support and guidance as necessary.

    Please note that the identity of Forum members will, so far as is reasonably practicable, be kept confidential.


    January 2019