Equality and inclusion

The University community is made up of a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances, which we value and regard as a great asset.
As part of our continued commitment to equality and inclusion, we strive to create an environment where everyone can reach their full potential and have a real opportunity to participate in and contribute to our activities. Find out more on our HR website.
The University’s Equality and Inclusion Framework sets out our vision to be: A beacon of excellence in the sector, promoting a culture of inclusion, respect and equality for all.
Faculty Equality and Inclusion Committee
As a part of our commitment to fairness and respect, our Equality and Inclusion Committee meet every term to discuss progress, identify issues and shape new policies.
Athena SWAN Charter
The University of Leeds has been commended for its work to support the career development of talented women working in the traditionally male dominated fields of Science, Engineering and Technology in the form of a prestigious bronze award under the Athena SWAN Charter for Women in Science. Find out more.
The School of Earth and Environment, School of Geography and the Institute for Transport Studies have received a prestigious Athena SWAN silver award, and the School of Food Science and Nutrition a bronze award from Advance HE, the national body that promotes equality in the higher education sector. These awards represents the combined efforts of all schools in the Faculty and shows the positive actions we have taken to ensure that policies, processes and ethos all promote an equal and inclusive environment for work and study.
Our Athena Swan action plan addresses topics including recruitment of female staff and students, non-permanent contracts, maximising the research power of female colleagues, mentoring, training, and the profile of women in our faculty. Our 3-year action plan was submitted with our April 2019 application. The Athena Swan self assessment team includes representatives from each of our three schools and includes postgraduate researchers, postdocs, academic staff, technical support and professional and managerial staff.
If you have comments or questions for the Athena Swan team please contact the chair Clare Woulds, c.woulds@leeds.ac.uk.
Working Lives Policies
The University has a range of policies to support colleagues at key stages in their lives.
- Adoption and surrogacy leave
- Caring responsibilities
- Career breaks
- Flexible working
- Maternity leave
- Paternity/partner leave
Equality related support and resources for staff
We provide practical support and information for all staff working at the university. For example, you can find out about the support services available to ensure equal access for disabled staff, find information about services available for staff who are also carers, and learn about the prayer spaces available on campus.
Staff networks
The University has a number of networks that staff can join. They bring together employees from across the University, providing peer support, networking opportunities and social activities.
Our networks include:
- LGBT Network
- Leeds 11 Network (for staff from a black or minority ethnic (BME) background
- Muslim Staff Network
- Women at Leeds Network (WaLN)
- Staff Mental Health and Disability Network
Equality and Inclusion contacts
Each School has an Equality and Inclusion Officer who promotes equality and inclusion issues across the Faculty and acts as a conduit between the central Equality Policy Unit and the Faculty and Schools.
- Helena Brown (Earth and Environment), e: H.Brown@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 36765 and David Williams (Earth and Environment), e: D.R.Williams@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 37649
- Catherine Roberts (Food Science and Nutrition), e: c.roberts@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 4543
- Dr Martin Zebracki (Geography), e: m.m.zebracki@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 3331
- Dr Kate Pangbourne (Transport), e: k.j.pangbourne@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 1552
Each School in the Faculty also has a number of Student Disability Contacts whose role is to provide information, guidance and support to ensure equality of access to education for all disabled people who study at the University and to those who aspire to do so.
- Katrina Firth (Earth and Environment), e: k.l.firth@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 6722/6722
- Dr Jacqueline Houghton (Earth and Environment), e: j.houghton@leeds.ac.uk
- Jane Thorn (Food Science and Nutrition), e: j.thorn@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0) 113 343 0975
- Dr Joanne Maycock (Food Science and Nutrition), e: j.maycock@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0) 113 343 2965
- Claire Gorner (Geography), e: c.gorner@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 3303
- Dr Paul Morris (Geography), e: p.j.morris@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 9440
- Jacqui Manton (Geography), e: j.manton@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 6531
- Bryan Matthews (Transport), e: b.matthews@its.leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 5341
- Lois Nuttall (Transport), e: l.nuttall@leeds.ac.uk, t: +44 (0)113 343 4656
The University provides general and condition-specific support to disabled students, find out more on the Student Education Service website.