[OSGeo-Discuss] Race Equality Charter in UK universities

[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues


I came across this article on “The geoscientist fighting for universities to confront systemic racism” in Nature 610, 436-437 (2022). Details at https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-03265-8


Another article in The Guardian in September 2022 - More than 120,000 workers from minority ethnic backgrounds have quit their jobs because of racism, suggests a landmark study that has found workplace discrimination is sapping the confidence of a large part of the UK workforce.


Details at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/01/more-than-120000-workers-quit-jobs-because-of-racism-uk-study-suggests


It is disappointing to read about the scale of Racial discrimination in the UK work environments.



Please see the statement issued by the International Science Council on combating systemic racism and other forms of discrimination at

https://council.science/current/news/statement-on-combating-systemic-racism-and-other-forms-of-discrimination/



These articles made me realise that the Racial discrimination that I had faced over many years in some UK universities are part of a much wider issue affecting Black and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Without adequate action from employers the pervasiveness of racism increases.



There is a huge pressure to hide Racial discrimination issues in some UK universities.  In fact, I only got the courage recently to speak up on the racial discrimination issues that I had faced over the years at some UK universities. It is important to share my experiences with the academic community, International Science Council, Research Funders etc, so lessons are learnt, appropriate and effective actions are taken, so that colleagues and students do not face any racism in the future.


For example, I have seen staff without even a PhD getting promoted to academic posts, honorary appointments etc when qualified candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds are being sidelined in academic appointments and promotions. Why is there Racism and favouritism in promotions and academic appointments in  some UK universities?



While I was working at the University of Nottingham, I co-founded GeoForAll initiative for making geospatial education opportunities accessible to all, enabling a better future for everyone.


When GeoForAll was started , I faced lot of ridicule and opposition from some colleagues. I am thankful for the support and help that I received from so many amazing colleagues within the University and globally for GeoForAll.  GeoForAll initiative has helped truly make Geo education opportunities open to all.





I would like to request your help in sharing ideas for enabling racial equality by widening education opportunities for more first generation students and also for students from economically poor families worldwide.


https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/please-share-ideas-providing-higher-education-more-first-anand/



Every day, each and every one of us can stand up against racial prejudice and disrespectful attitudes.



Let’s build a world beyond racism and discrimination, where we all exercise our human rights. Be a human rights champion!


https://www.un.org/en/fight-racism


Open your mind and heart to the humanity in all humans.



Best wishes


Suchith



Dr Suchith Anand

Senior Adviser to Governments and International Organisations | Scientist | Board member | Governance | Policy | Consultant in Data Science and Data Ethics | Global Citizen | SDG Volunteer and Advocate


https://council.science/profile/suchith-anand/

https://www.rd-alliance.org/users/suchith-anand

https://ethicaldatainitiative.org<https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/>


Email - Suchith.Anand at ethicaldatainitiative.org<mailto:Suchith.Anand at ethicaldatainitiative.org>




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