Equality

Many UCU branches have equality officers who can assist you if you have any concerns on an equality-related issue. Otherwise your UCU departmental rep or other branch officer will be able to help. To find out if there is an equality officer at your branch and how to contact them ask your departmental rep or branch secretary/president. If you don't know how to contact any local UCU representative contact your regional office. 

Important dates in the equality calendar

The local contact finder will give you details of the relevant branch officer for your institution.

Equality and policy unit

UCU has a national team of staff with expertise and involvement in the whole equality agenda. They implement the policies and priorities determined by members through the democratic lay structures'.

• Mary Meekings - National Head of Equality and Policy lead for migrant members
• Seth Atkin - Equality Support Official with specialism for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality and age equality
• Charlotte Nielsen - Equality Support Official with specialism for gender
• Chris Nicholas - Equality Support Official with specialism for race and religion or belief
• Sharon Russell - Equality Support Official with specialism for disability
• Swati Patel - Administrator

If you have a general equality query, or to join one of our equality network mailing lists (black, disabled, LGBT+, migrant and women & members) contact eqadmin@ucu.org.uk

If you think you might be interested in becoming a UCU equality officer you can find out more about what is involved on the Equality reps page.

About UCU's equality work

If you have a general equality query, contact eqadmin@ucu.org.uk

UCU has negotiated national equality agreements in both HE and FE (see pay and conditions section) which branches/LAs strive to get implemented locally. The National Equality and Policy Unit (see above) supports branches/LAs and regional offices on equality issues and work to influence government policy on equality.

The union provides many opportunities for members to become involved in our equality work. UCU organises events specifically for black, disabled, LGBT+, migrant and women members. We also have email lists for each of these groups which you can join by emailing eqadmin@ucu.org.uk.

Helping out at a local level is a great way to promote equality at your workplace - you don't necessarily need to become an equality officer, just an offer to circulate newsletters or put up posters for example will be appreciated. See How do I get involved? for more information. If you do think you might be interested in becoming a UCU equality officer you can find out more about what is involved on the Equality reps page.

UCU policy on equality is determined democratically by our members,

• through reserved seats on the national executive committee
• an elected