The university sits just outside Top 100 for all organisations and has also been given a Silver Award for its work to support LGBTQIA+ staff.
Date: 22 July 2024
UK-based LGBTQ+ charity, Stonewall, has announced that London Met has risen 60 places to reach 102, across all types of organisation, in the Workplace Equality Index (WEI) 2024. The University has also been recognised with a silver award for its efforts to create a more inclusive workplace.
This year’s performance also means London Met is in the top 20 universities in the country for LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
The WEI is a benchmarking tool for employers that measures a workplace’s progress on lesbian, gay, bi and trans inclusion. Created by Stonewall, the WEI assesses an organisation's achievements and advises on areas to improve.
The accomplishment reflects London Met’s efforts from the past year. “We are delighted to see yet another improvement to London Met’s standing in the WEI. The Silver award is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work that London Met’s LGBTQ+ Staff Network has consistently carried out” commented Professor Marcia Wilson.
Award-winning Rainbow Room
A major initiative contributing to this success was the creation of the award winning Rainbow Room, a safe physical space on campus for LGBTQ+ staff, students and external partner organisations. It was the idea of Donna Jones (Head of Subject – Community, Refugee, Social Work and Youth), campaigned for by the LGBTQ+ Staff Network and supported by the university’s leadership. Inaugurated in February 2023, the Rainbow Room has been recognised for its contribution to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), being shortlisted for a London Higher award in 2024.
Change led by staff for staff
The active LGBTQ+ Staff Network, co-led by Brian Tutt and Dr Sebastian Cordoba, has been instrumental in advocating for LGBTQ+ staff and students. The network has organised regular meetings, social events, and has been pivotal in developing the Trans and Non-Binary Students Inclusion and Equality Policy.
Additionally, the Gender and Diversity Research Group, led by Dr Sebastian Cordoba, has provided a collaborative platform for staff researching LGBTQ+ issues across the university. Efforts to "Queer the Curriculum" as part of the Education for Social Justice Framework have also been noteworthy.
Reflecting on the successes over the last year, Brian Tutt commented, "I'm absolutely delighted with the University's Stonewall Workplace Equality Index result this year. Going up a further 60 places and earning a Silver Award is fantastic external recognition of all the work so many people have done to make London Met a more equal, safe, and inclusive place to work and study for LGBTQ+ staff and students. We still have more to do, but our consistent improvement since we first entered the WEI in 2019 is a source of great pride."
Stonewall is the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ charity, campaigning for over 30 years for freedom, equity and potential of all LGBTQ+ people. Their campaigns aim drive positive changes in public and political attitudes, which includes work with employers and schools to create environments which allow LGBTQ+ people to thrive.