Theme 2An inclusive & welcoming community

Our Strathclyde community is welcoming & inclusive

We recognise the benefit that diversity brings to the Strathclyde Community. We will further develop an inclusive community that is welcoming to all, regardless of background and provides an environment that promotes equality and diversity and supports positive relations between people and a culture of respect.

We will do this by:

  • developing an integrated action plan to deliver Inclusion at Strathclyde - ensuring a coordinated approach to Equality and Diversity across the University Community, including:
    • successfully implementing the Athena Swan Silver Gender Equality Action Plan with an aim to apply and achieve Athena Swan Gold accreditation.
    • implement Race Equality Charter Action Plan.
    • successfully implement the Disability Inclusion action plan to ensure an inclusive experience for all staff at Strathclyde.
  • taking actions to ensure a welcoming environment for those who are Neurodivergent e.g. introducing inclusive recruitment practices.
  • as a Socially Progressive Employer we will work with partner organisations to provide employment opportunities for those from underrepresented groups and provide encouragement and support for them to consider working at Strathclyde.
  • taking action to encourage the disclosure of equality data by staff to allow comprehensive equality monitoring to inform future actions.

Distinctive Strathclyde

Ensuring an inclusive & welcoming community

Our commitment to EDI is demonstrated both by the consistent use of our values to guide our decision-making and “how we do things” at Strathclyde.

Since 2017, the number of roles with specific EDI remits has increased from 2 to 14, representing an almost 500% increase in FTE and financial investment, from £96,647 (2FTE) in 2017 to £499,905 (8.8FTE) since 2023.

In 2020, the new senior position of Associate Principal - Social Inclusion (AP-SI) was created to focus upon advancing EDI work. The AP-SI convenes Strathclyde’s EDI Committee (EDIC), reporting directly to our Executive Team. The following groups have also been established, each of which reports to EDIC:

  • Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team
  • Gender Equality Steering Group
  • Disability Inclusion Steering Group (to support disabled and neurodivergent students and staff).
  • LGBTQ+ Working Group
  • Race Equality Steering Group

This governance framework ensures that EDI-related actions are recognised, addressed, and endorsed by senior leadership. 

In September 2023, the University was awarded Athena Swan Silver status. The Athena Swan Charter is a framework to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research. Our Silver level award recognises the policies we have in place and the culture we are nurturing to create an environment in which staff of all genders and levels can thrive. Examples include flexible working hours, fair and transparent recruitment and promotion policies and practice, and strong mentoring, training, and career development opportunities. In addition to our institutional-level Athena Swan award, Strathclyde currently holds 16 awards at Departmental-level ranging between Bronze and Gold, and a Faculty-level Silver award for Strathclyde Business School.

The Athena Swan Charter is a framework to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research. Our Silver level award recognises the policies we have in place and the culture we are nurturing to create an environment in which staff of all genders and levels can thrive.

In May 2026 the University was awarded a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of the steps we are taking to advance racial equality and embed anti-racist practice across the institution. Conferred by AdvanceHE, the award acknowledges concrete action 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. Strathclyde’s work extends beyond our campus. We are playing a national leadership role through hosting Scotland’s Anti Racism Observatory and supporting refugee and asylum seeker communities.

For over 12 years the University has participated in Project Search in collaboration with Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability and the City of Glasgow College, providing work experience for individuals with autism to help them secure jobs