The Grand Union DTPs Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Building on an ethos of excellence, and inclusive participation, the GUDTP is proud of its tradition of valuing diversity and promoting equality of opportunity for all. We are committed to maintaining an inclusive learning and work environment, where diversity is valued and discriminatory behaviour is not tolerated.  Our overarching objective is to provide excellent personalised education and an outstanding student experience where every student feels supported and has access to opportunities that enable them to achieve their highest potential. We aspire through processes of fairness and transparency, to achieve equity in our support of all students.
 
Each of our three partner institutions is individually and collectively committed to EDI and responsibility is shared evenly across the partnership. Our approach ensures that activities are not siloed but embedded in all stages of the student journey and all aspects of our work. It includes access, widening participation and selection of applicants, and on course support in supervision, training, placements, professional development, and careers guidance. It incorporates support for student health and wellbeing, including those with caring and family responsibilities.
 
You can read in more details about each of our partner institution’s current EDI strategies and priorities:

Our work is informed and guided by key statutory and policy guidelines including the Equality Act of 2010 ,  UKRI’s 2023 guidelines, the ESRCs EDI Policy, the Office for Students guidance as well as sector strategies such as  the recent Disability Students Allowance Framework. However, we recognise that applying EDI principles in a meaningful way requires embedding an inclusive mindset rather than a narrow focus on specific legal characteristics.

 

Some of the ways we put these principles into practice

 

Reaching Applicants

The GUDTP encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds and provides accessible and transparent information about how to apply to the DTP through a range of communication channels and an online webinar. It also targets underrepresented groups through in-person presentations at widening participation programmes such as Oxford’s UNIQ + summer school.

Assessing Applications

Our competition criteria seek to identify potential rather than solely current achievement.  The criteria are designed to enable applicants to provide broad evidence for suitability for PGR study, in addition to their academic qualifications.  In order that all candidates are equally able to demonstrate their potential for postgraduate study, regardless of academic and professional background, candidates are offered an opportunity as part of the application process to note any personal/educational challenges which they may have overcome

Ringfenced Studentships

In response to the under representation of Black British students in postgraduate research within the UK, as a positive action measure the GUDTP ringfences two studentships for Black British students each year.

 

Monitoring Data, Provision and Outcomes

We routinely capture student EDI (including socioeconomic) data at all stages of the admissions process, and in student surveys and feedback. Data is reviewed in an ongoing and reflective manner enabling proactive responses to any variation in on-course experiences and outcomes in a timely fashion. GUDTP staff and panel members are surveyed to monitor their ongoing EDI-related training and ensure further training is undertaken if necessary.

 

Seeking and Sharing Good Practice

The DTP seeks to create a culture of innovative learning in its approach to EDI and draws upon best practice from across the three partner institutions, pathways, and the wider sector. The Supervisors’ Network and Management Board provide forums for innovative and best practice to be shared. The GUDTP Director is a member of various university and sector EDI panels including the National EDI Academic Leads forum (NEDIAL), Advance HE’s EDI Strategy Action Group, and the External EDI Board for the London School of Economics (LSE).

5 hands on a table

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

Some Current Priorities and Initiatives for 2025-6

Mural painting with writing "You Belong" surrounded by plants.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

The University of Oxford launched a new Graduate Access Strategy in Hilary (Spring) term 2025. As part of this work, a new Graduate Access and Widening Participation Manager has been recruited by the Social Sciences Division to work with all 15 social science Departments on providing local action plans in line with the strategy. Key priorities will include developing protocols to capture contextual data for international postgraduate applicants, developing website and social media resources to support underrepresented and disadvantaged groups make successful applications, and establishing processes for Black British applicants who meet the entry requirements to be guaranteed an interview.

The GUDTP will be actively involved in this work, which will inform and support its own access strategies.
 
As part of the university’s recent submission to AdvanceHE’s Race Equality Charter, The Open University has identified several actions to increase the representation of racially minoritised UK students, and to improve the communication of EDI initiatives in the areas of race equality and disability support. Actions include standardising admissions, implementing competency-based interviews that focuses on inherent skills rather than solely skills gained through academia, and offering applicants support and insight into the PGR application and admissions process to demystify it. The Open University also provides support and pastoral care to all PGR students upon their entry into the programme. It provides EDI education to supervisors and collaborates with the university’s Black & Minority Ethnic and Disability staff networks.