We're fully committed to providing a fair and equal environment for work and study.

Our Dean of Faculty is a proactive member of the University's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. As a faculty, we increasingly collect and welcome feedback on a wide range of issues. We have highly diverse population and continue to work hard to ensure a supportive and inclusive environment in which all can flourish.

More on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

 

We have a range of policies to facilitate a supportive working environment:

Our Student Support Service provides students and staff with support for a wide range of academic and health issues.

We have policies in place to support those with changing family circumstances:

  • Parental Leave
  • Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave

Find out more about Working at UEA

Our on-site nursery is available to all staff and students. We also have a family room fitted out for nursing mothers which is located in the Elizabeth Fry Building. To use the room, contact the Hub in the Elizabeth Fry Building on 01603 597578.

Employees who have worked at the University for 26 weeks or more, have a statutory right to request flexibility in their working pattern.

Following a period of ill health, we offer support for returning to work. This may include access to a phased return, short term amendments to duties or working hours, or adjustments to the physical environment.

There is tailored support for female research staff across the Norwich Research Park. 

Mentorship is available through the University Centre for Staff and Educational Development 

We provide support and mentoring for PhD students and Research Associates. This is delivered by research teams, The Personal and Professional Development Programme and the Staff Research Forum.

The committee was established in 2019 as a successor to the Athena Swan committee. One of its tasks is to work on the application for Athena Swan Bronze, as well as implementing the Athena Swan action plan following a successful application.

Furthermore, the committee is tasked with tackling issues arising in relation to equality and diversity, such as the decolonisation of the curriculum.

If you wish to bring a matter to the attention of the committee, please contact the Director of Equality and Diversity, Dionne Dury .

If you wish to anonymously raise an issue, you can do so at https://reportandsupport.uea.ac.uk/.

Student Representatives on the Equality and Diversity Committee:

Tiloma Chandrasekera Thenuwara (pgt student): “Joining the UEA law school last autumn from an ethnic minority background and being a mature student felt like a daunting task. But the reception from the law school made me feel like I’m part of a community that was accepted and welcomed. I took steps in being involved with the E&D committee, as I wanted to contribute my input in ensuring everyone at UEA law school continue to be treated equally and preserve their respective identities.”

Patrycja Poplawska (1st year undergraduate): “As someone who comes from a working class immigrant background and is the first in her family to attend university, ensuring equal opportunities within the law school is something I'm very passionate about. What motivates me is my desire to beat the stigma and stereotype around law students, through championing those who've overcome additional barriers and showing that what makes a good lawyer is not your social status, your gender or your place of birth but your drive and hard work."

Valerie Travis (2nd year undergraduate): “Being part of the committee provides the platform to make a positive contribution and help my fellow classmates to feel supported, listened to and understood. There is a lot to be done in society and schools and universities is a good point of start. As a non-English woman it makes me proud to represent all the students and make this committee an accessible and safe place.”

BAME Ambassadors

This year, the Student Union is running a pilot programme to tackle the degree awarding gap that affects students from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. The Law School is lucky to have two BAME ambassadors as part of this scheme:

Niyi Akinseye: "Working as a BAME Ambassador gives me the opportunity to provide BAME Law students with an environment in which they can create better ties and bonds amongst the law school. It is a privilege to watch these students grow as they excel in their degrees."

Sheena Baluyos: “As a BAME student myself, I recognised the challenges associated with being an under-represented group at the Law School; in particular, the disparity of the attainment gap between BAME and non-BAME individuals was an issue I found to be a worthy cause to tackle. The primary reason I therefore applied for this role was because I aspired to be able to make positive and meaningful contributions in minimising the attainment gap for future BAME law students, no matter how small of an impact I may make, in order to improve their overall experiences at UEA for the better.”