About

The EGC is the central department for diversity and inclusion and the hub of EDI activity at the University of Lincoln. It was set up in 2015 to ensure that EDI work across the University was developed and supported in a holistic and coordinated way, working in partnership with stakeholders to deliver the strategic ambitions of the University and drive culture change

From the outset, our guiding principles have been to underpin the practice of EDI with fundamental research, building practitioner–researcher collaborations that ask the questions, develop disruptive and transformative solutions to the inequalities that exist, and develop the mechanisms to measure change and impact.

From whence we came: "In 2012, when we first started to consider how to improve diversity across the institution, it was abundantly clear that we would need to adopt a new approach to effect any change – over 30 years of significant investment in ‘traditional EDI’ failed to create a fully diverse workforce in the UK. To impact the diversity of the University, first we would need to tackle the underpinning culture, our attitudes, our behaviours. To do that effectively we needed to adopt a 'transformational and progressive EDI' approach, founded on the need to ask questions, to challenge, to seek solutions, to look for evidence of change, to measure impact. To do that efficiently, we need to all work together – a holistic and coordinated approach across the whole institution. Our journey started in 2012 – our journey continues..."

Prof Belinda Colston, Head and Founding Director

Just some of the things we do...

Sustainable development of an inclusive culture: Building a fully-integrated inclusive culture within the operational and core business of the University starts with engagement and awareness-raising. For example:

• Leading the development of the University's EDI Strategy and Delivery Plan – The Inclusive University – based on our ASPIRE model
• Leading university-wide engagement with the Athena Swan and Race Equality Charters - all Schools are on their journey towards an Athena Swan award
• Leading the implementation of the institution's Equality Charter Action Plans
• Coordinating, supporting and guiding the development and implementation of EDI plans in all Colleges, Schools and professional service Departments
• Coordinating the Lincoln Inclusion & Diversity (LID) annual conference
• Hosting the Diversity & Inclusion lecture Series

Ensuring no one is left behind: Developing and championing activities, initiatives and research that aim to 'balance the bias' at all levels of the University. For example:

• Creating and coordinating support and mentoring networks
• Facilitating internal-facing research, including focus groups to identify barriers and solutions and open dialogue
• Helping to sustain research through and after maternity leave for STEMM academics
• Providing a route back to research for men and women following extended career breaks
• Inspiring the next generation of female scientists and engineers 

Creating the evidence base: Underpinning our core commitment to facilitate the sustainable development of an inclusive culture across the University and in wider society is the interdisciplinary research that develops our knowledge and understanding of the biases that lead to barriers, and allows mitigation to be developed, tested and evaluated. For example:

• Building a thriving and growing community of postgraduate research students
• Building critical mass for Centre-related research (including internal-focussed research) from the University's research community 
• Developing research themes around key equality, inclusion and diversity issues 
• Hosting the Research Roundtable Programme to build new collaborations
• Engagement with key stakeholders 

Influencing policy: We specialise in the development and evaluation of EDI strategies and interventions and their impact, both within the University and across the sector, and outcomes of our research inform and influence evidence-based policy and shape best-practice both within the UK and internationally.

Success is measured through the impact we generate – through establishing a Centre for Excellence – through influencing national and international policy – through making a difference!