Awards and Accreditations

The University works towards a number of accreditations which allow us to measure our progress on inclusion and identify areas for improvement.

These charters, audits, awards, and benchmarking exercises involve assessing our position, developing actions, and identifying successes.

By engaging in this process we aim to demonstrate our commitment to inclusion. In addition, having our work validated by external agencies is most welcome, and helps us to learn from and share best practice.

Learn more about the awards the University holds and is working towards using the links below...

Athena Swan

Warwick holds a Silver Athena Swan award.

Athena Swan is a framework to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research.

In committing to the principles of the Athena Swan Charter, we recognise that we join a global community with a shared goal of addressing gender inequalities and embedding inclusive cultures.

We are proud to have retained our Silver Athena Swan award in 2024. We will hold this award for a further five year cycle until 2029.

We also have a number of departments who hold Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards.

Race Equality Charter

Warwick holds a Bronze Race Equality Charter award.

The Race Equality Charter aims to improve the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education.

It provides a framework for self-reflection on institutional and cultural barriers put in the way of minority ethnic staff and students. Institutions working on the REC develop initiatives and solutions for action.

We’re proud to have been awarded the Race Equality Charter Bronze award, independent recognition of our commitment to working towards race equality and determination to tackle race inequality at all levels.

University of Sanctuary

Warwick has been recognised as a University of Sanctuary since 2017.

Higher education has a proud tradition of supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Universities of Sanctuary are a national network of university staff, lecturers, academics, and students working together to make higher education institutions places of safety, solidarity, and empowerment for people seeking sanctuary.

Our sanctuary work is a priority action in the implementation of our Social Inclusion Strategy. And, our main campus is located in Coventry, which became a City of Sanctuary in 2011.

HR Excellence in Research

Warwick has held the HR Excellence in Research award since 2012.

The HR Excellence in Research award recognises effective implementation of the 'European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers' which sets out principles for good working conditions for researchers.

Institutions that achieve the award demonstrate a long-term commitment to creating supportive working conditions for researchers, enhancing researcher professional and career development, promoting inclusive research environments., and fostering open, transparent recruitment, promotion and progression processes.

Race at Work Charter

We are proud to be a signatory of Business in the Community’s Race at Work Charter.

The Race at Work Charter asks businesses to make a public commitment to improving equality of opportunity in the workplace.

The Charter was created following the 2017 government-sponsored McGregor-Smith Review of race equality in the workplace, which found that ethnic minority staff still encounter significant disparities in employment and progression.

It focuses on seven calls to action to ensure that ethnic minority employees are represented at all levels in an organisation by championing race equality, examining our data, not tolerating harassment, taking action, supporting allies, and creating inclusive supply chains.

Other

We have also previously engaged in the following awards and accreditations:

UK Workplace Equality Index

Warwick was ranked 122 out of 403 and awarded Gold in the 2022 UK Workplace Equality Index.

The UK Workplace Equality Index is the definitive benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on lesbian, gay, bi, and trans inclusion in the workplace, helping to understand what's going well and where to focus efforts to develop LGBTQUIA+ equality

Disability Smart

Warwick was awarded a Bronze in the Disability Smart audit in 2021.

Disability Smart is a whole-organisation disability management audit to help organisations measure and improve on performance for disabled customers/clients/ service users, employees, and stakeholders, and identify ways to improve practice, policy and process

Disability Employment Charter

Warwick was a founder member of the Disability Employment Charter.

The Disability Employment Charter is a call for the government to act. It proposes a set of vital measures that, if implemented in a concerted manner, would substantially shift the dial on disability employment. So far, 220+ organisations have signed up

Social Mobility Pledge

Warwick was a signatory to the Social Mobility Pledge.

The Social Mobility Pledge is a coalition of 550 businesses globally employing over 5 million people, as well as more than 50 universities representing almost 2 million students. It encourages organisations to be a force for good by putting social mobility at the heart of their purpose.

Read the Social Inclusion Annual Report for more about the action we're taking.

The Social Inclusion Annual Report highlights the work that has been taking place across the University over the last year, and how it is helping us to meet our Social Inclusion Strategy objectives to increase the diversity of our staff and student communities, develop an inclusive culture, and become an internationally recognised leader in inclusion.