The University’s Race Equality Charter Bronze Award in 2025 was an important milestone. It recognised our shared commitment, the work already undertaken, and the collective effort of colleagues and students across Bath. The true value of the award, however, lies in what follows.
Over the past academic year, 2025/26, we have begun the important work of moving from recognition to implementation. Our first annual post-award review, approved by EDIC on 18th June 2026, shows purposeful progress across the five REC priorities. Download the PDF report here: REC 2026 annual report for EDIC.
Thirty-eight REC-related activities were captured during 2025 to 2026, with particular strength in belonging, community and culture. Black History Month, Race Equality Week, the relaunch of the Black Students’ Network, REC drop-in sessions, updated ethnicity guidance, training review and early governance conversations all show that the work is moving beyond the application stage.
This progress reflects a genuinely collective effort. I am grateful to the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, PVCs, Deans, Associate Deans Culture and Inclusion, Heads of Department, EDIC, senior leaders across the University, the SU team, Bath Ambitions, the Research team, the HR Culture and Inclusion Lead and team, and everyone (particularly REC USAT colleagues, MOSAIC and International Staff networks) who contributed evidence, data, insight and support to this first year of implementation.
The report also takes a balanced and evidence-led view. It recognises progress while noting that awareness, confidence and local ownership are still developing across different parts of the University. The next phase will therefore focus on turning activity and engagement into sustained improvements in experience, fairness and outcomes.
The Practical Guide to Nudging Inclusive Practice gives us a simple route forward. It encourages leaders, departments, faculties and professional services to start small, but act consistently: add REC checks to meetings, clarify support routes, use data before review cycles, strengthen inclusive recruitment practice and ask whose perspectives may be missing from decision-making.
Our Bronze Award gave us a platform. The first post-award year has given us momentum. The task now is to embed race equality into how Bath works, through shared responsibility, practical action and continued commitment.
The work continues, and I look forward to working with colleagues and students across Bath as we take the next step together.
Dr Teslim Bukoye
Race Equality Institutional Lead and Chair REC USAT
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