Race equality

Oxford Brookes University is committed to the promotion of race equality as part of our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy. This is central to our values and ambitions for inclusivity and equity of the experience of our students and staff.

The University is a member of the Advance HE Race Equality Charter and has undertaken self assessment work and made an application for a Bronze award in March 2025.

Our Race Equality Steering Group, chaired by Sarah Thonemann, Chief People Officer, acted as our Race Equality Charter self-assessment team with membership drawn from across the University. 

"We know that we still face a number of challenges, including the under-representation of Black students, and of BAME* staff in senior roles. Equally importantly, we need to ensure that the inclusive culture that we pride ourselves on is equally felt by everyone, and that each member of our community recognises and plays their role in achieving our ambitions."

                 Professor Alistair Fitt, Vice-Chancellor

* Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME): We acknowledge the contested nature of this term but have not yet reached consensus as to alternative terminology. We seek to disaggregate ethnicity data as far as possible and where we use the term ‘BAME’, do so in full cognisance of its limitations.

Race Equality Charter logo

Priorities for our Race Equality Charter Action Plan 2025-31

Priority 1: Ensure that decisions are informed by evidence and equality analysis

Priority 2: Build a sense of community and belonging, where all students and staff feel able to be themselves

Priority 3: Ensure that BAME students and staff are able to access appropriate support and services

Priority 4: Continue to address harassment and discrimination, including on the basis of ethnicity, nationality and / or religion

Priority 5: Continue to increase the proportion of BAME staff, with a particular focus on the recruitment, retention and progression of UK BAME staff and BAME staff in senior academic and professional services roles 

Priority 6: Continue to build a diverse student community, which supports every individual to succeed and thrive

More information

Contact us

Adrienne Hopkins

Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
ahopkins@brookes.ac.uk