The University of Bedfordshire has a vibrant, ambitious academic community celebrating diversity and the transformative power of education. We are proud to be a diverse and multicultural community and we strongly believe that racism is never OK. It is important to speak up so that we can act on it and support you. Beds SU & the Student Experience Projects Team have joined together to highlight the initiatives available to students and staff in response to a sensible topic such as Racism.

Both students and staff are invited to take part in Race Equality Week from 5 – 11 February 2024. Join us for a week of reflection and celebration as we put on a number of events to open up important conversations within the University. We’ll be inviting you for a new activity every day as we set a 5 day challenge to help everyone reflect on what they can do to create a racially equal environment at Beds. We’ll finish the week by showing off our BIG promises. So keep your eye on your emails and on in.beds to see what’s going on. To find out more contact the Events Team events@beds.ac.uk

Available initiatives for students

Proud To Be Black. At the University of Bedfordshire, we have built on our own campaign. We have invited our Black students, staff and alumni to share what makes them proud, what their heritage and culture means to them, and how allies can support their Black peers, learn more and help instigate societal change.

National inclusion week. The University holds a series of special events for students and staff to mark the week and celebrate Bedfordshire being a diverse place to study and work. During the week, students and staff can enjoy a number of exciting and informative events, which has previously included a thought-provoking panel debate on the topic of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and a fascinating Human Library experience.

Treehouse. The University's Community and Faith team also host several celebrations to promote inclusion and celebrate our diverse student population. These include the Globe Cafe inviting students to come together and enjoy different cultural meals from around the world.

Beds SU run multiple societies that are created by students for students to provide an exciting way to connect with like-minded individuals and make new friends, whether through a shared hobby or personal interest, being part of the same course, or having a shared faith or culture. These include but are not limited to; African Caribbean Society, Islamic Society, Back Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Indian students’ societies and many more. Find out more about Beds SU Societies

Race Equality Week The University hosts an annual event that aims to foster awareness, dialogue and action around issues of race and equality. This is a week of reflection and celebration for students and staff, putting on a number of events to open up important conversations. Activities take place each day throughout the week, setting a 5 day challenge to help everyone reflect on what they can do create a racially equal environment at Bed.

Available initiatives for staff

Race Equality Network (REN) Staff at the University

Read about the University's involvement in the Race Equality Charter

The race equality network recognises that there are multiple sites for and approaches to changing institutional practices and cultures and that our autonomous staff group can contribute as much by making recommendations as by being a critical friend, challenging and disrupting bias. The network purpose is to advance social and racial justice and is underpinned by the recognition that those who have lived experiences of discrimination and racism are best positioned to suggest ways to address and overcome inequality, prejudice and exclusion. Any University colleague can join the network, whether you identify within a minoritised ethnic community or you're an ally. Find out more about the Race Equality Network (REN)