Professor David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Culture, Equality and Inclusion
Dear Colleague,
One way in which we measure the success (or otherwise) of our work to address structural inequality is through our annual analysis of pay gaps for gender, race and disability. These were published on 30 March. Pay gaps are indicators of, or proxies for, under-representation or segregation but it is important to note that they are not determinative – one can have a zero pay gap and there still be barriers. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to see meaningful reductions in our gender and disability pay gaps and to note that the ethnicity pay gap in our Professional Services staff group has been effectively eliminated.
As we develop and deliver our People and Culture Strategic Plan within the new Sussex 2035 strategy, we will continue our efforts to address the root causes of these gaps, ensuring that all staff have equal opportunities to progress, and that barriers are systematically removed. Analysis of this kind allows us to focus our actions, and you can see a full list of activities currently underway and planned at the bottom of the linked article.
This month I would also like to highlight:
- The work of the Associate Deans for CEI in the Faculties
- International Asexuality Day and Lesbian Visibility Day
- Staff survey data by characteristic
- Interacting with campaigning and media organisations
- Upcoming religious observances
- Events
Associate Deans for CEI
Strategic oversight and responsibility for Culture, Equality and Inclusion (CEI) sits with me as Pro-Vice-Chancellor CEI, and I am supported in this by Isobel Pearce, Assistant Director for CEI and by the EDI Team, along with many other colleagues across the University. In addition, Associate Deans for CEI in each of the four Faculties also sit on the CEI Leadership Team. Read this recently-published article to find out who our Associate Deans for CEI are, what they do, and what led them to take up their roles.
International Asexuality Day and Lesbian Visibility Day
International Asexuality Day was marked on 6 April, and Lesbian Visibility Day is this Sunday, 26 April. Read this recent article from the EDI team which includes quotes from asexual and lesbian members of staff as the days aim to celebrate visibility and community for asexual people and lesbians.
Staff survey
Last month I included a link to the results from the mini pulse survey from last autumn. We have now added a breakdown of the results by characteristics to the Staff Survey results page.
Interacting with campaigning and media organisations
For staff and students, it is always worth remembering that if you are asked to share your views and opinions by the media or other organisations, you always have a choice. As you may have noticed, some campaigning organisations choose to set up on public land adjacent to campus.
As we regularly remind students, when agreeing to share your views, there are some useful things to find out:
- who is asking the questions?
- why you are being asked?
- how will your contribution be used?
- where the content will be shared?
- do they have a consent form?
This video on understanding media consent is aimed at students but is also useful for staff.
Upcoming religious observances
Friday 1 May is Vesak, also called Buddha Day, which honours the birth, life, death, and enlightenment of Buddha. The traditional Pagan festival of Beltane is also celebrated on 1 May, welcoming the start of summer. Some Christians will celebrate Ascension Day on Thursday 14 May.
Best wishes
David
David Ruebain
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality, and Inclusion)
Upcoming event
Sunday 24 May | 2pm to 4pm | Library
Queering the Archive: Who Gets to Tell Our Stories? Join zine-makers and archivists Aghh Zine and Erin James for a dynamic and hands-on workshop that brings grassroots creativity into conversation with an archive. With support from Danny Millum of the Library, Culture and Heritage Division, and Dr Sam Solomon from the Division of Media, Arts and Humanities, this session invites you to reimagine who gets to record history, and why it’s important we do it together, within community. Find out more and book your ticket.
Information about upcoming awareness days will be shared on the Staff Hub.
This work supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). You can read more about our work on the SDGs.