School/Directorate:Academic Administration

Equality impact assessment

School/Directorate:Academic Administration

Name of person completing the equality impact assessment:Helen Morris

Date of completion: 02.02.2012

What is the name of policy/function/practice/criteria you are equality impact assessing? Marketing and Communications Strategy 2009-2014

Is the policy:

Screening

What is the aim of this policy/function/practice/criteria? What is it intended to achieve?

Role and Enabling Framework

As part of the Planning and Resources Enabling Framework, the Marketing Strategy defines the channels through which exchanges with all types of stakeholder will achieve the greatest impact and shapes the content of those exchanges to support the University in delivering its Corporate Strategy, meeting the Strategic Aims and achieving the Corporate Vision.

Who are the main stakeholders?

In light of the data and evidence you have collected for this equality impact assessment, does this policy/function/practice/criteriahave any relevance to, or impact on, equality and diversity in the two areas below?

Evidence and data

Please use the space below to discuss the evidence and data you have collected for this equality impact assessment. This evidence may include statistics, results of consultations, feedback, external reports etc. There is no set format for this section; please include any information that is relevant or that you have collected which you have considered as part of this equality impact assessment. Discuss how it has enabled you to make your conclusions about any impacts on equality of what you are assessing.

Please ensure you include feedback where appropriate on the policy/function/practice/criteria from the three staff forums: Race Equality, Respect Sexual Orientation, and N-Able Disabled Staff Group. You can obtain further guidance and details on the staff forums from the Equality Unit.

The strategy has been developed to deliver to key aims of the corporate strategy which is itself highly focussed on providing equality and diversity within the University staff and student body.

The marketing strategy embodies these principles and is the primary vehicle for communicating the University stance on equality and diversity to both the internal and external audiences on a regular basis.

Internally we communicate key messages and briefings that are inclusive and sensitive to the needs of the various groups, whilst also taking every opportunity to promote awareness in the recipients of these communications of how seriously the university takes equality and diversity.

Externally each stakeholder communication is sense checked to ensure no inadvertent non compliance and also that all opportunities are taken to align the University with best practice in equality and diversity. Constant vigilance is required as the communications are highly visible and any inadvertent errors would be exposed to the detriment of the University.

In discussion with the three staff forums no fault was found with the marketing strategy but the consistent points raised were to ensure that we maintain our current standards with respect to working practices regarding inclusivity of image presentation, commentary and narrative and that we maintain the options for the various communication formats required. In addition, we must ensure the marketing strategy maintains a strong focus on internal communications (staff and students) and maintains a positive profile of different group activities to enable individuals to engage with activities and seek support as well as challenging discrimination etc

It was felt the university should be represented at the local LGB events and this will be considere against availabe resources.

The strategy has been subject to serious internal scrutiny by the marketing and communications team who are all trained on EIA and reflect these priorities in everything they do.

Equality impact

Based on your findings presented in the section above, please tick the appropriate boxes below and summarise your reasons where appropriate:

If you have identified any negative oradverse impact, can this be justified?

If you have answered yes, please explain how:

What action will you take to reduce the negative or adverse impacts?

Please discuss further:

Official representation at LGB events will be considered alongside other support activities and assessed in line with the resource available

Action planning:

Publicising and reporting

The Equality Unit will work with you to ensure this equality impact assessment is adapted for publication on the University website.

Please use the space below to discuss how else you want to make the results of this equality impact assessment more widely known. This might include presenting it at School or Directorate forums, committee meetings etc, or sending it to those who were consulted; you may have your own internal channels of communication you want to use.

This EIA will appear with the startegy document on the marketing and communciations website and wherever else it might appear on the web.

Monitoring and review

When will you review this equality impact assessment?

At the next five year plan and at any time when the strategy must be readdressed.

Who will be responsible for the review?

Head of Marketing and Communications

How will you monitor the policy/function/practice/criteria in the meantime?

This might include collecting periodic feedback, checking statistics periodically etc. There is no requirement for another full equality impact assessment at this stage.

Checking enquiry and applicant statistics to observe any trends emerging in the balance of the student body that may require further investigation and periodic feedback from internal and external stakeholders

Approval

Dean/Director of School / Director signature:

Date:

Date sent to Equality Unit: