Oxford diversity officer urges universities to remember EDI obligations

The University of Oxford’s Chief Diversity Officer, Professor Tim Soutphommasane, has reminded universities to remember their legal obligation to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the event of future revisions to the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

The next REF exercise is due in 2029, and revisions to the research culture aspect of the framework are regarded as a possibility.

Soutphommasane presented a survey at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, which was conducted across UK universities, showing that although there is continued support for EDI initiatives in research, this support is declining.

In August, Research Professional News (RPN) was informed that the people, culture, and environment (PCE) division of the REF is set to be scaled back in its impact on university scores, down to 20 per cent from the initial 25 per cent baseline set in 2023.

Since then, a three-month pause was announced in REF 2029 processes, with Research England examining “the option of baseline performance in research culture being a condition of funding”.

Soutphommasane addressed a fringe conference event on the importance of EDI initiatives, which considered how EDI was being used to aggravate culture wars.

It is vital that EDI is conducted in a way that is for everyone and is seen to be for everyone. This can be done by anchoring EDI in values of respect and equal opportunity

Professor Tim Soutphommasane, Chief Diversity Officer, University of Oxford

Research he co-authored revealed that 52 per cent of 4,000 people surveyed believed EDI to be an important issue, showing a marked decrease from 64 per cent in 2024.

The survey also indicated that more people do not believe EDI is hindering free speech and that EDI policies do not compromise academic excellence.

Speaking after the report was published on 25 September, Soutphommasane told RPN: “A lot has changed in the global political landscape and the shifts in British public sentiment reflect this.

“There remains a majority of the British public who believe EDI is a good thing. But advocates and supporters of EDI will need to refocus and refine their efforts.”

He concluded: “It is vital that EDI is conducted in a way that is for everyone and is seen to be for everyone. This can be done by anchoring EDI in values of respect and equal opportunity.”