MPLS Division Equality and Diversity Steering Group: Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference

1. To advise the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Divisional Board and General Purposes Committee on all areas of equality and diversity work in relation to staff and students.
2. To guide and provide oversight of divisional strategy on equality and diversity matters, identifying main areas where divisional policies and initiatives can be established or enhanced to support a range of underrepresented groups across the staff and student body.
3. To serve as a channel for departments to raise equality and diversity related issues where they feel they could benefit from divisional support. 
4. To share and disseminate good workplace practices (relating to progressing equality and diversity) developed in departments, across the division.
5. To oversee the progress of departments in submitting applications for ED&I related awards and recognition, such as Athena Swan awards; including reading and commenting on award applications when requested by departments.
6. To feed divisional perspectives into the University’s ED&I work, including into institutional applications for the Race Equality Charter Mark and renewal of the institutional Athena Swan Charter Mark, and central University ED&I related committees as appropriate.
7. To oversee the co-ordination and approval of bids for any funding opportunities that may arise associated with ED&I matters.

Membership

The membership of this steering group will draw from ED&I Chairs across the ten MPLS academic departments, as well as administrative, researcher, and student representatives. 

Members will serve for a term of three years where possible (with the exception of ED&I Fellows who have one-year terms).  The steering group is chaired by the MPLS Associate Head (People).