Coinciding with National Inclusion Week, Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is celebrating as it receives its first Inclusive Employers Standard (IES) Silver award – the only university to be awarded at this level.
The IES is a robust evidence-based inclusion accreditation run by Inclusive Employers to help understand more about where the UK workforce is in its inclusion journey and to identify key areas of focus to help develop in the future.
"From a student perspective, it’s well known that we’re an inclusive university," comments Kerry Sheehan, Director of People, Inclusion and Organisational Development at AUB. "It’s always been one of our strengths and comes through time and time again on university rankings.
"Inclusivity really is at the core of who we are as a university and to be recognised as an inclusive employer, as well an inclusive place to study, truly demonstrates that commitment."
To gain the accreditation, a detailed overview of AUB’s inclusion activities were submitted in line with the six pillars of the IES inclusion framework. This submission was then assessed against evidence-based criteria.
"We are especially delighted with the positive comments we received about our impressive diversity data-monitoring process, our extensive communication with all staff regarding our inclusion agenda, and our extensive calendar of diverse events and activities organised throughout the year for staff," says Kerry.
"We’re also very proud to be the only university awarded as high as Silver. The award has further energised us in our commitment to inclusion development and has enhanced the positive impact of inclusion both within our organisation and the wider industry."
"Arts University Bournemouth has clearly dedicated significant effort to becoming a fully inclusive employer and space for everyone," adds Emily Pattinson, Senior Inclusive Employers Standard Programme Lead at Inclusive Employers.
"In what can feel like an overwhelming time for inclusion and diversity work, organisations like AUB are part of driving meaningful change. By seeking to understand their inclusion development AUB demonstrates to others in their sector that they are prioritising their people and creating a culture of impactful inclusion."
National Inclusion Week takes place from 23–29 September 2024. More information about the Inclusive Employers Standard is available on Inclusive Employers' website.
