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Race Equality Charter Bronze Award
Following a significant two‑year period of self‑assessment, Ulster University was awarded the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award in February 2026 by Advance HE.
This milestone recognises our commitment to addressing racial inequalities and marks the beginning of our five‑year action plan, focused on working towards achieving improved racial equity.
➡️ Read more about our Race Charter Bronze Award announcement at Ulster University News.
Race Equality Charter: Foundations and Context
The Race Equality Charter provides the framework guiding our work to address racial inequality at Ulster University. This section outlines what the Race Equality Charter is, the principles that underpin it and the unique social and regional context that shapes how we deliver meaningful and lasting change.
Advance HE's Race Equality Charter is a UK‑wide framework designed to support universities in addressing racial inequalities in a structured, evidence‑led and sustainable way.
The Updated Race Equality Charter is a sector-led charter that higher education institutions voluntarily participate in to advance race equality, with the aim of improving the representation, experiences, progression and success of staff and students from racially minoritised ethnic groups. It covers all aspects of an institution’s activity and communities, including considering the representation and experiences of academic and research staff; professional, technical and operational staff; and students at all levels.
Advance HE, 2026
The Race Charter provides a framework through which universities can:
- identify and critically reflect on institutional and cultural barriers through comprehensive data analysis,
- take time to understand and evaluate their local operating context, and,
- take meaningful, long‑term action to drive change.
The Race Equality Charter is underpinned by five fundamental guiding principles, set by Advance HE.
- Racism is an everyday facet of UK society and racial inequalities may manifest themselves in everyday situations, processes, and behaviours. Racial disparities are a critical issue in outcomes for staff and students, recognising that racial inequalities are not necessarily overt, isolated incidents.
- The UK higher education sector will not reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of the whole population and until individuals from all ethnic backgrounds can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords.
- In tackling racial inequalities, it is important that actions are aimed at achieving transformational and long-term institutional culture change, avoiding a deficit model where actions are aimed at changing the individual.
- Staff and students from racially minoritised ethnic backgrounds are not a homogeneous group. People from different ethnic backgrounds have different experiences of, and outcomes from and within, higher education, and that complexity needs to be considered in analysing data, developing solutions, and implementing actions.
- Embracing intersectionality, from analysing data to developing actions, can better support institutions to tackle racism within the higher education sector.
At Ulster University, these principles underpin not only our Race Charter work, but our wider commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Our Race Charter work takes place within a distinct regional and societal context which shapes both challenges and opportunities. This includes:
- the ongoing impact of civil unrest and societal division in Northern Ireland,
- evolving conversations around race, identity and belonging,
- the intersection of race with other critical issues including Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG), safety, inclusion and,
- a growing but still underrepresented racially diverse population within the region.
Recognising this context is essential. It ensures that our actions are locally relevant, culturally informed and responsive to the lived experiences of our community.
Our Race Charter work goes beyond compliance. It seeks to contribute to positive societal change as well as institutional change in advancing racial equity.
