Racism exists on our campuses and in our society. Call it what it is and reject it in all its forms.We stand united against racism.
Race equality at the University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde has received the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award in recognition of its work to advance race equality and embed anti-racist practice.
Presented by AdvanceHE, the award acknowledges the actions Strathclyde has taken and will take over the next five years, including institution‑wide anti‑racism training, senior leadership accountability for race equality, stronger support and reporting mechanisms for students and staff, work to address ethnicity‑related awarding gaps, and initiatives to embed inclusive and decolonised approaches to teaching.
The submission included a 394-page application and a five-year Action Plan (2026-2031), drawing on three years of staff and student data as well as feedback gathered through focus groups, pop-up stalls and the REC survey
Find out more about the Race Equality Charter and Action Plan.
Strathclyde’s work extends beyond its campus, with the University playing a national leadership role through hosting Scotland’s Anti‑Racism Observatory and supporting refugee and asylum‑seeker communities as a University of Sanctuary.
Race Equality Steering Group
The University's Race Equality Steering Group (RESG) advocates for and works to ensure an inclusive, welcoming and equitable working and learning environment for BAME students and staff. RESG has membership from across the University, and reports directly to the University's central Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Race Equality Charter
The University is a member of the Advance HE Race Equality Charter programme, and currently holds a Bronze award. The Race Equality Charter helps institutions in their work to identify and address the barriers facing Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and students, while also providing a framework for action and improvement.
Further information about the Race Equality Charter is available from Advance HE.
Learning & Development
The University provides a range of online courses and live interactive sessions focused on equality, diversity and inclusion for both staff and students. We strongly encourage all members of the Strathclyde community to actively participate in the learning and development opportunities available.
Diversifying and Decolonising the Curriculum
Ongoing work is underway across faculties and departments to 'decolonise the curriculum'. ‘Decolonising the curriculum’ (DtC) entails identifying, acknowledging, and challenging the impacts of colonialism on perceived knowledge and learning. It does not involve deleting existing knowledge or history, but rather embracing knowledge systems beyond the typical Western understanding. Faculties have developed a number of resources to achieve this goal, available on the Learning & Development Hub (log-in required).
Black History Month
As part of our annual EDI observances programme, each October the University celebrates Black History Month. Black History Month encompasses the history of Black people in this country; people who often have a direct link with Scotland through slavery, colonialism, and migration. Black History Month focuses on people whose sacrifices, contributions, and achievements against a backdrop of racism, inequality and injustice are often overlooked or forgotten about.
Islamophobia Awareness Month
November marks Islamophobia Awareness Month, a UK-wide campaign to spotlight and challenge prejudice and discrimination faced by Muslims and people perceived as Muslim. The Strathclyde community have hosted events such as “Islamophobia: Real Voices, True Stories” which bring together students and staff to reflect on everyday experiences of anti-Muslim bias and explore what a more inclusive campus community looks like. The aim is not only to raise awareness of the challenges of Islamophobia but also to celebrate the contributions of Muslim students, staff and alumni, helping build understanding, solidarity and allyship across the university.
Networks and Groups
The Race Equality Staff Network (RESN) is for self-identifying Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) colleagues (anyone minoritised owing to their race, ethnicity or heritage) and allies. RESN is a supportive and social space for colleagues to connect, share, celebrate and champion the diversity of our university community.
Find out more about the Race Equality Staff Network and how to get involved.
The Decolonising Together Pedagogy Book Club is a low-stakes community of practice grounded in evidence-informed practices. The series provides a collegial space to engage with contemporary, evidence-informed scholarship on learning and teaching, combining structured discussion with practical application. Open to anyone interested in teaching and learning in higher education, this book club will provide knowledge, discussion, and strategies useful for all disciplines.
Find out more about the Decolonising Together Pedagogy Book Club and how to get involved.
The Strathclyde Race, Ethnicity and Migration Network (StrathREM) brings together researchers and postgraduate students from diverse disciplines, from social policy and business studies to history, literary studies, and beyond. We encourage interdisciplinary research, seeking to be one of Scotland’s leading catalysts for positive change.
For further information contact, Professor Tanja Bueltmann (tanja.bueltmann@strath.ac.uk).
