Equality and Diversity
Equality Analysis (EqA)
The Equality Act 2010, replaced around 100 statutory requirements within a single Act. It also consolidated and streamlined the law, expanding the six "equality strands" into nine "protected characteristics" and replacing the previous Equality Duties with a single General Equality Duty.
The Act requires that the University shows due regard to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and foster good relations between people where possible. In practical terms this means the University must consider the effects on equality of everything that it does. This specifically involves:
- considering equality implications during decision-making; and
- assessing the University's position regarding equality Key Performance Indicators.
The legislation affects all staff and students. However, committee members, heads of service, policy owners and people making regular decisions relevant to equality are most directly affected.
In the past the Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) process was used to facilitiate these requirements. This has now been replaced with Equality Analysis (EqA). Whilst EIA was relatively prescriptive, in contrast, the EqA process is more flexible and sets a framework which aims to offer a more mainstreamed and evidence-driven approach to meeting our legal responsibilities.
Key EqA documents:
Equality Analysis condensed briefing note
Although EIA have been replaced by the EqA, completed equality impact assessments are available here.