Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Report 2022–23

Each year, the University publishes an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Report, containing a snapshot of Oxford's diversity data and outlining equality, diversity and inclusion activity for the academic year. In this blog, Professor Tim Soutphommasane, Chief Diversity Officer:

• announces that the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Report 2022–23 has been published
• discusses progress made in delivering our equality objectives
• highlights contents of the report, including: equality, diversity and inclusion activity, a snapshot of staff and student diversity data for the 2022–23 academic year
• reflects on the University's commitment, progress and looking ahead to the rest of the academic year

What does Oxford do on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)? It’s a question I’m often asked, but not one to which I can always provide a short answer. For the reason that there is so much being done across our collegiate University to advance equality, embrace diversity and promote inclusion. 

Each year, though, we seek to capture the highlights of our EDI activity through our annual Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Report. We released the 2022-23 report just before we broke for Easter, and I’m delighted to share it with you.

The report – previously referred to as our Equality Report – looks back on the 2022-23 academic year and outlines the progress we have made towards the University’s Equality Objectives. It also provides a snapshot of staff and student diversity data for the 2022-23 academic year. 

Over the past 18 months, the University has strengthened its approach and commitment to being an inclusive, diverse and welcoming place to learn and work. This can be seen through investments in the Equality and Diversity Unit, the introduction of a new EDI governance structure in the form of the Joint Committee on EDI, and support for staff networks. We have also created more opportunities for conversation and collaboration. I’ve been especially energised by colleagues’ and students’ engagement at forums including our termly EDI Roundtable, our monthly Equali-Tea drop-ins and our regular student events. EDI practitioners have also come together through the establishment of an EDI community of practice. 

During 2022-23, the University continued to implement its Race Equality Strategy and was successful in its application for an institutional Silver Athena Swan application. We have continued to make progress in meeting our Equality Objectives relating to staff diversity and inclusion, and student access and participation. There is, though, still more for us to do – as we highlight in the report, there are areas where focused attention is needed. 

Looking ahead to the rest of this academic year and beyond, we are finalising a collegiate University EDI Strategic Plan. This plan will articulate how EDI supports our academic mission in teaching, research and the dissemination of learning – and will align existing initiatives and plans concerned with diversity and inclusion across the institution. In collaboration with UCL Policy Lab and More in Common, we have also conducted some research into British public opinion about EDI. This work will inform not just the approach we are taking at Oxford, but hopefully also what other institutions in Britain do in renewing EDI efforts and making them more relevant to people’s everyday experiences.

So, there is a full agenda for EDI. And whether through starting conversations, building knowledge, cultivating confidence, or delivering on policy, so many of our community are doing their part to create a more inclusive culture in Oxford. I hope that you will take a look at our EDI report to find out more about our community’s achievements.