Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our Commitment

The Institute for Education (IfE) is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to a pro-active and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all underrepresented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. This commitment is underpinned by the IfE’s core values, expressed in its mission statement. The IfE is therefore committed to a policy and practice which require that, for course participants, admission to the IfE and progression within courses will be determined only by personal merit and by performance. For employees, entry into employment with the IfE and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and by the application of criteria which are related to the duties and conditions of each particular post and the needs of the institution concerned.

Since its inception in 2015, the IfE has developed a number of policies and procedures to address Equality, Diversity and Inclusion which include the:

Course Participants’ Grievance Policy and Procedures
Equal Opportunities Policy
Extenuating Circumstances Policy
Grievance Policy and Procedures for Employees
Funding Policy and Procedures
Health and Wellbeing Policy for Course Participants
Health and Wellbeing Policy for Employees
Higher Education Sponsorship Policy
Learning and Development Policy
Leave Policy
Leave of Absence Policy
Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures for Course Participants
Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures for Employees and Persons on a Contract for Service

Furthermore, the campus at the IfE offers inclusive facilities for all members of our diverse community. Indeed, at the IfE, one may find all gender bathrooms, shower facilities, accessible parking bays which are designated for vehicles displaying a Blue Badge and accessibility ramps.

The Equality Mark

On the 3rd May 2021, the IfE has been awarded the Equality Mark certification by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE). This certification has been awarded to the IfE in recognition of its commitment to implement policies and practices that concern gender equality, protection against sexual harassment and a continued commitment to provide family-friendly measures to all employees.

This recognition confirms the IfE’s efforts to provide a healthy work environment that is free from any type of discrimination. Furthermore, the Equality Mark acknowledges the IfE’s responsibility to provide equal access to opportunities and career development based on employees’ potential, irrespective of their gender and caring responsibilities.

Gender Equality Plan

In order to continue fulfilling the commitment to promote gender equality, the IfE has adopted the Gender Equality Plan 2023-2025 which was created by the Gender Equality Working Group of the IfE. This plan, which was designed following an assessment on the status of Gender Equality at the IfE, is guided by the following principles: non-discrimination, diversity, gender mainstreaming and equity. It revolves around the subsequent key priority areas: (1) Work-life balance and organisational culture, (2) Gender balance in leadership and decision-making, (3) Gender equality in recruitment and career progression, (4) Integration of the gender dimension into research and teaching content, and (5) Measures against gender-based violence including sexual harassment. The document includes objectives and in-depth actions, assigns responsibilities and a timeline.

Through this plan, the IfE aims to implement actions to reduce gender inequalities and to enhance diversity with regard, for example, to age, culture, physical ability, sexual orientation, multilingualism, etc. The IfE appreciates the importance of an inclusive community that is not only free from discrimination but is also able and prepared to do more and therefore, a community perceiving differences as an ethical value and a valuable resource that can produce positive benefits. The Gender Equality Plan of the IfE is a tool designed to foster a cultural change, with the aim of continuing to build an honest and communicative learning and work environment where people are treated equally and there is no discrimination, a community which conveys trust, a sense of belonging and shared goals.