Equality, diversity and inclusion

Our School is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion for our staff and students, and through our research.

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One male and three female students outdoors walking down steps with Edinburgh castle in the background

We recognise the range of amazing and diverse individuals involved with the School and the University and make us such a great place to study and work. Together, we are committed to working to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage. 

University equality, diversity and inclusion

We are aligned to the University's vision of a continuing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion for both students and staff. 

University equality, diversity and inclusion website

Athena SWAN

Our School is proud to hold an Athena SWAN Bronze Award.

The Athena Swan Charter is a framework used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research.  Established to encourage and recognise the commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment, the Charter is now being used across the globe to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

Athena SWAN website 

What is equality?

Equality means ensuring people are not treated differently or less favourably based on their specific protected characteristic, including race, gender, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age.  Promoting equality should remove discrimination in all these areas. Bullying, harassment or victimisation are also considered equality, diversity and inclusion issues. 

What is diversity?

Diversity aims to recognise, respect and value people's differences to contribute and realise their full potential by promoting an inclusive culture for all staff and students.
What is inclusion? Inclusion is about creating a culture and system of support to ensure that people not only feel confident and comfortable about being themselves in our School, but that people from all backgrounds can be seen and heard in all aspects of life. We want to make sure that no one is left behind in the learning or work environment and that everyone feels they add value as part of our School community.

Our School community

We aim to: 

  • Treat all staff and students fairly
  • Create an inclusive culture for all staff and students
  • Ensure equal access to opportunities for students to fully participate in the learning process
  • Enable all staff and students to develop their full potential
  • Equip staff and students to challenge inequality and discrimination in their work/ study environment
  • Ensure that learning materials do not discriminate against any individuals or groups
  • Ensure that policies, procedures and processes don't discriminate

Our School Equality and Diversity Committee plays an active role in facilitating an inclusive and welcoming workplace, including a School Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.

Our research

We are proud to be involved in many research and knowledge exchange projects addressing critical questions such as:

  • human agency
  • equality
  • diversity
  • social justice
  • cultural meaning
  • environmental values

You can learn more about this critical work under our website's research section.

Our research

Studying Science at University of Edinburgh: Everyone is Welcome

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This video was created as part of our School of GeoSciences Outreach course to inspire secondary school pupils from underrepresented backgrounds to take up science at University, in line with the University Widening Participation Strategy. 

Produced, filmed, and edited by one of our students: Gabriele Negro.