[Geo4All] REF 2029 - Research Culture

[Suchith Anand]

Dear colleagues

It is important to talk about research culture and the Research Excellence Framework  https://2029.ref.ac.uk <https://2029.ref.ac.uk/>

Central to the REF 2029 is increased weighting for the People, Culture and Environment element. I thank the UK university community and REF 2029 community for this focus on research culture for REF 2029. Let us all work to build a healthy and thriving research system that delivers the maximum benefits for society.

With a new REF 2029 emphasis on People, Culture and Environment, how we can make this as equitable as possible? 

It is imperative to implement the recommendations outlined in the report on Creating Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Higher Education by all UK universities and set clear, measurable targets for progress. Annual reviews against these targets will be crucial, with progress reports to be provided to the Board of Governors.

More details at https://www.henley.ac.uk/news/2024/action-needed-to-dismantle-systematic-barriers-faced-by-black-academics

Please find the link to the Call to Action: Increasing the Number of Black Professors in UK Universities at https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2025-January/006563.html 

Please feel free to share these links to your university colleagues and networks.

Together, let's drive meaningful change towards a more inclusive and equitable representation in the UK academic landscape. Let us support the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, continuing to build communities where all voices are heard, and every individual thrives.

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

Best wishes

Suchith

> 
> 
> From: Suchith Anand 
> Subject: Call to Action: Increasing the Number of Black Professors in UK Universities
> Date: 3 January 2025 at 20:02:30 GMT
> To: geoforall at lists.osgeo.org
> 
> Dear colleagues,
> 
> Call To Action: United Nations,  United Nations Human Rights Council,  UK Government, The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology,  UKRI, African Union, G20 South Africa Summit 2025 , Governments of Global South countries,  Commonwealth Secretariat, Universities UK, Russell Group,  Universities UK, Association of African Universities, Association of Commonwealth Universities, Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, Vice-chancellors, leaders of professional and scientific organisations,  senior university leaders, EDI leads, HE stakeholders, and advocates for institutional change to unite and increase the representation of Black professors at universities in the United Kingdom.
> 
> It is disappointing to learn about the scale of Racial discrimination in some UK work environments. Racial discrimination is illegal as per the UK law but still it is sad fact that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students are suffering racial discrimination in silence for many years in many UK universities. There is a huge pressure to hide racial discrimination under the carpet and silence colleagues who raise these issues.
> 
> I am an opponent of racism in science and academia.  Racial discrimination is illegal as per the UK law.  It is the responsibility of the University management in all UK universities to take disciplinary action against any staff who are supporting racial discrimination or working to cover up racial discrimination complaints. All colleagues raising concerns on racial discrimination in any UK university need to be protected. 
> 
> 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
> 
> UK universities are institutionally racist, says leading vice-chancellor
> https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/apr/28/uk-universities-are-institutionally-racist-says-leading-vice-chancellor
> 
> Black scientists say UK research is institutionally racist
> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58795079
> 
> Webinar discussion: Why are there so few Black professors, and what can we do about it? https://www.gatenbysanderson.com/news/webinar-discussion-why-are-there-so-few-black-professors-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/
> 
> Nature article published on “ How UK science is failing Black researchers — in nine stark charts"
> https://www.nature.com/immersive/d41586-022-04386-w/index.html 
> 
> More details and link to Open Letter on “Racism in UK Universities” at https://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/geoforall/2024-December/006552.html
> 
> Despite constituting 4.4% of the UK’s working-age population, Black individuals hold less than 1% of professorial roles—210 out of 24,430, according to 2022/23 HESA data. While representation rose slightly from 0.7% in 2020/21 to 0.9% in 2021/22, the overall progress remains insufficient.
> 
> 
> Systematic and pervasive barriers are hindering the progression of Black academics in UK business schools and more must be done to foster a more inclusive and representative higher education sector, according to a new report Creating Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Higher Education co-authored by the University of Reading's Henley Business School and University of East London.
> 
> I would like to thank everyone who worked on this important report on Creating Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Higher Education. This report serves as a call to action not only in higher education but across all sectors, offering highly useful recommendations. These recommendations contain actionable steps to foster a culture of belonging and build a workforce that reflects the diversity of the UK. 
> 
> More details at https://www.henley.ac.uk/news/2024/action-needed-to-dismantle-systematic-barriers-faced-by-black-academics
> 
> Please share this report with your networks.
> 
> This is not just another report; it is a call to action to collectively confront systemic inequities and envision a higher education system where Black academics can experience a seismic shift in institutional culture, fostering belonging and success.Additionally, the report calls on professional bodies and research organisations to embed equitable practices and take proactive steps toward lasting change. This report launch signals a decisive step in creating a more inclusive and equitable academic landscape. 
> 
> With a new REF 2029 emphasis on People, Culture and Environment, how we can make this as equitable as possible? 
> 
> It is imperative to implement the recommendations outlined in the report on Creating Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Higher Education by all UK universities and set clear, measurable targets for progress. Annual reviews against these targets will be crucial, with progress reports to be provided to the Board of Governors.
> 
> Together, let's drive meaningful change towards a more inclusive and equitable representation in the UK academic landscape. Let us support the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion, continuing to build communities where all voices are heard, and every individual thrives.
> 
> Let’s build a world beyond racism and discrimination, where we all exercise our human rights. Be a human rights champion! 
> 
> “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
> 
> Looking forward for a more inclusive 2025.
> 
> Best wishes
> 
> Suchith
> 
> Professor Suchith Anand
> Professor of Practice in Science Policy | Senior Adviser to Governments and International Organisations | Scientist | Global Citizen | Science Diplomacy |  SDG Volunteer and Advocate
> https://www.exeter.ac.uk <https://www.exeter.ac.uk/>
> https://ethicaldatainitiative.org <https://ethicaldatainitiative.org/> 

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