BGS one of the UK’s first specialist research institutes to receive Race Equality award

Established in 2015, the Advance HE Race Equality Charter (REC) supports institutions in their work 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 provides a rigorous and robust framework through which institutions work to critically reflect and act on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of the progression and success of racially minoritised staff.

BGS participated in a two-year pilot as part of a newly established Small, Specialist and Research Institute Equalities Network, which supported organisations outside the university sector in working towards the Race Equality Charter. Following the successful completion of the pilot, BGS secured ‘Bronze’ status, marking a significant milestone as only the third specialist organisation in the pilot to receive this award.

Feedback from the assessment panel highlighted several examples of good practice, including BGS’s virtual work experience schemes, which have broadened access and participation in the geosciences to a larger, more diverse group of students across 30 UK counties. Additionally, a range of measures have been established to improve the experiences of minoritised ethnic staff in different working contexts, including tailored support while undertaking fieldwork, recognising that disproportionate safety, well-being and inclusion risks can arise in these settings.

REC Bronze is recognition of an institution’s robust foundation for eliminating racial inequalities, developing inclusive cultures and moving from commitment to sustainable and integrated bold and ambitious action. Advance HE looks forward to supporting BGS as it progresses its action plans to advance race equality.

Anne Mwangi, head of the Race Equality Charter.

BGS is incredibly proud of this achievement and we are encouraged by the positive feedback on our application, which recognises both our commitment to tackling race equality issues and the progress we have made in driving change within BGS and the wider geoscience sector.

Maria Kariuki, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) officer at BGS.

Achieving Bronze status marks an important milestone for BGS, but we recognise that race equality is an ongoing journey. The action plan developed through the REC process will help drive further progress and ensure BGS continues to build an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Keely Mills, EDI lead at BGS.

The full accreditation document and associated action plan will be published on the BGS website in the New Year.

Find out more

• More information on the Race Equality Charter can be found on the Advance HE website
• BGS was also awarded the Athena SWAN Silver status in recognition of its ongoing commitment to gender equality in 2024
• Find out more information on EDI at BGS