We are working together to make UAL an anti-racist university.
In 2020, UAL published a consultation paper setting out proposals for the development of an Anti-Racism Strategy. Following an extensive university-wide consultation with staff, students, Arts SU and all EDI Networks, UAL finalised, launched and began implementing the anti-racism action plan in April 2021.
In December 2024, UAL was awarded the Race Equality Charter (REC) Bronze Award. Within the Race Equality Charter action plan we have set out how we will take forward work from the anti-racism action plan, inlcuding our 30% B.A.M.E. staff representation target. The REC Action Plan will now replace UAL’s Anti-Racism Action Plan and will be published in 2025.
Our objectives
- Visible accountability and allyship on race equality
- Improve reporting, monitoring and resolution process
- Align anti-racism action plan with UAL EDI strategies
- Anti-racism education across the University
- Create clear statistics and KPIs
- Increase the proportion of Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff
- Increase the proportion of Black, Asian and minority ethnic students
- Extend numbers of Black, Asian and minority ethnic Visiting Lecturers
- Decolonising the curriculum
- Eliminating the continuation and degree awarding gap
Our work in action
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Peng Chen, Show backstage, Banking Hall
Decolonising Arts Institute
Explore films from UAL Decolonising Arts Institute, seeking to challenge colonial and imperial legacies and drive cultural, social and institutional change.
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Group shot of Rafin Jannat with models from the Jarafin shoot. 2019. BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear. London College of Fashion. UAL. Photograph: Calvin Chinthaka.
Insights programme
Not everyone has equal opportunity to enter higher education. UAL Insights is the University’s outreach programme. It offers young people access to our Colleges for creative activities and pre-university advice and guidance.
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Alaa Satir, 2019 MA Illustration and visual media, London College of Communication UAL | Photograph: Deema Alasad
MA Internet Equalities
Providing students from a range of disciplinary backgrounds with the skills to understand and implement applied equality in technology development.
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BA (Hons) Fine Art, Shinuk Suh in the Studio, Copyright holder: Alys Tomlinson
Arts SU
Get involved in some of our students’ union campaigns, and connect with local creatives, community organisations and likeminded students.
Race Equality Charter (REC)
UAL is currently working towards Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter (REC). REC provides a framework through which higher education institutions work to identify and self-reflect on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and students. UAL’s REC Core Self-Assessment Team is led by Professor Carol Tulloch and Naina Patel (Race Champion).
For further information contact: diversity@arts.ac.uk
Networks
Race Champions Forum (RCF)
The Race Champions Forum was established in November 2016 and is made up of around 40 members of staff and student representatives from across UAL committed to progressing race equality within the university. The forum meets termly to share good practice and report on progress towards UAL's bid for the Race Equality Charter. The forum is chaired by Naina Patel, Director of HR and UAL Race Champion.
If you want to get involved in the work of the RCF, contact Isabella Chan, Head of EDI: i.chan@arts.ac.uk
Group for the Equality of Minority Staff (GEMS)
GEMS was set up to promote the personal development and create a network of Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff.
For more information contact: gems@arts.ac.uk
Related news
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LCF Unfiltered - Series 1 of a new podcast launches
Friday 28th January marks the launch of LCF Unfiltered, a new podcast developed and hosted by LCF alumna, Roisin Cummins
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Publishing our Anti-racism action plan and a demanding target for Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff representation
Pledging that 30% of our staff will be Black, Asian and minority ethnic within 3 years.
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James Purnell. Image courtesy of BBC
Choosing our target well: Creative diversity at UAL
We have pledged that, within 3 years, 30% of our workforce will be BAME. James Purnell describes how we selected that target and how we propose to implement it.
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Our 10-point anti-racism action plan
The UAL Race Champion, Naina Patel, has lead a comprehensive consultation exercise with staff and students as part of the further development of the university’s anti-racism plan. The Students’ Union has had significant input and students are being consulted on programme and college level initiatives.