Operations

Equality and Diversity Steering Group (EDISG) 

The Equality and Diversity Steering Group (EDISG) sits at the centre of Queen Mary’s EDI governance, overseeing progress against equality objectives and ensuring accountability across all faculties and departments. It monitors policy implementation, advises on inrclusive practice, and aligns institutional work with the university’s Our Values in Action framework. Working with local EDI groups, it guides strategy and supports the development of equitable policies and processes. 

Anti-Discriminatory Admissions Measures 

Queen Mary is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for all applicants. Queen Mary’s Admissions Policies and Procedures are built on fairness, transparency and equality of opportunity. All applicants are considered on merit, with decisions made free from bias or discrimination at every stage. Our procedures ensure consistent application of policy, including clear routes for appeals and complaints without fear of adverse treatment. We also use contextual data to recognise individual potential and to support equitable access, ensuring our operational framework actively upholds inclusion and diversity across the admissions process. 

Access to University – Student Financial Support 

Queen Mary University of London provides a range of bursaries and scholarships to remove financial barriers and widen participation in higher education. These funds prioritise students from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring that financial circumstances do not limit educational opportunity. 

• Queen Mary Bursary – Automatically awarded to domestic undergraduate students from households with an annual income below £35,000, representing 37% of our undergraduate population. 

• Financial Assistance Fund – A non-repayable source of financial aid for students facing hardship during their studies, with priority given to student parents, disabled students, and those who are care-experienced or estranged. 

• CLES Bursary – Provides £1,500 of summer-vacation support to Care Leaver and Estranged students, helping to bridge gaps in living costs outside of term time. 

• Scape Scholarship – Offers subsidised accommodation at Scape residences for Estranged, Care Leaver or Care-Experienced students. 

• Sanctuary Scholarship – Provides full tuition fee waivers and maintenance support for asylum seekers or students with temporary immigration status, studying within the Faculties of Science & Engineering or Humanities & Social Sciences. 

Together, these schemes ensure that every talented student—regardless of background—can access, participate in, and thrive at Queen Mary University of London. 

Recruitment and Selection Policy 

Queen Mary’s Recruitment and Selection Policy ensures a fair, transparent and bias-free hiring process, with mandatory EDI training for all panel members and clear, merit-based selection criteria. By embedding inclusive practice at every stage of recruitment, the policy strengthens representation and supports the appointment of staff and faculty from under-represented groups. 

Race Equality Charter  

Queen Mary is proud to be a signatory of the Advance HE Race Equality Charter (REC) since 2018.The REC provides a framework through which institutions work to identify and self-reflect on barriers standing in the way of minority ethnic staff and students.  

In 2023, we launched Race Equality Surveys for staff and students, using the findings to shape our institutional five-year action plan and guide the work of the Race Equality Action Group (REAG). Founded in 2020, the REAG published the QM Race Equality Toolkit, developed as one of several initiatives to highlight the importance of promoting anti-racist practices, valuing cultural diversity and in providing an appropriate and professional service to all people irrespective of colour, culture or ethnic origin.  

EDI Reporting  

Queen Mary’s EDI Annual Reports highlight the key areas of the work we have undertaken at both university and faculty levels and helps the university to continually measure and share our progress. Notably:  

• 73% of UG Home students are BAME 

• 45% of UG Home students are first in their family to attend university  

• Our students are from over 170 nationalities  

• 20% of senior staff are BAME  

Aurora Women’s Leadership Development Programme  

Queen Mary participates in the Aurora programme, which is a unique partnership bringing together leadership experts and higher education institutions to equip women with the knowledge and skills to influence institutional direction and cultivate essential leadership capabilities.  

Dignity at Work  

Queen Mary is committed to creating an environment for work and study where staff and students are treated with dignity and respect. Queen Mary takes a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of behaviour from staff, students or visitors that might violate the dignity of others.  Our tailored Dignity at Work procedure for staff and general guidance, detail guidance, specific procedures and how to access support for staff and students. Both procedures are supplemented by our general Grievance Resolution procedure. 

Employee Assistance Programme 

For those who require additional external support, the Employee Assistance Programme provides advice via a helpline. The EAP is a free, confidential support service provided to all staff, offering guidance on any issue, such as work-life balance, relationships, debt, childcare, anxiety and depression, bereavement and loss.   

Accessible Facilities for Disabled People 

In line with our mission to be the most inclusive university of our kind, Queen Mary is committed to ensuring that our estate is accessible, both for campus facilities and student accommodation.  

That is why we have partnered with AccessAble, an online tool for wheelchair users and disabled people to find wheelchair friendly venue or check out disabled access and facilities. Queen Mary is proud to say we have all five of our campuses and estates listed on AccessAble, with detailed guides highlighting designated drop-off points, accessible parking bays, wheelchair ramps and more.  

Accommodation for disabled students is available to new students who meet the accommodation guarantee criteria. The page details what the criteria requires and lists the application process. 

Disabled Student Commitment 

Queen Mary are proud that we are one of the first Russell Group institutions to sign the Disabled Student Commitment. This Commitment aligns strongly with our  Strategy 2030 goal of being "The most inclusive university of its kind, anywhere" and marks an achievement of one of the objectives within our Access Participation Plan. 

Disabled Student Allowance 

The Disabled Students’ Allowance is a non-means-tested grant that helps cover the additional support a disabled student needs to complete their course. It is not a cash award - it is used to fund support services and equipment, such as assistive technology/equipment or specialist mentoring.  

Digital Accessibility 

 Beyond physical accessibility, Queen Mary is committed to ensuring full digital accessibility across its website and online content. Our Accessibility Statement and supporting guidance outline standards for navigation, colour contrast, assistive technologies, and content design, ensuring that all web materials meet required accessibility requirements 

Staff EDI networks 

 Queen Mary’s staff networks create spaces for connection, advocacy, and inclusion, helping to ensure that diverse voices are represented in decision-making and policy across the university.  

• Staff Disability Network – Provides a confidential and supportive community for staff with visible, invisible, or long-term conditions. The network advises senior leadership on disability equality and workplace accessibility. 

• Parents and Carers Network – A peer-support group for staff balancing work and caring responsibilities. It works with the EDI team to shape policies on flexible working, childcare, and work-life balance. 

• Gender Equality Staff Network – Promotes gender equity through advocacy, awareness-raising, and policy input. The network supports the university’s Athena Swan commitments and empowers colleagues to advance gender balance in leadership and research. 

• Race Equality Staff Network – Creates space for dialogue, mutual support, and action on racial equity. It informs Race Equality Charter work and contributes to initiatives improving representation and belonging for Global Majority staff. 

• Menopause Staff Network – Raises awareness and understanding of menopause in the workplace, providing support and resources for staff experiencing symptoms and helping shape inclusive wellbeing policies. 

• LGBTQIA+ Staff Network – Builds visibility and community for LGBTQIA+ colleagues and allies. It promotes equality through events, policy consultation, and collaboration with the Students’ Union and EDI team. 

 Report Harassment and Misconduct 

In 2019, we launched our Report + Support website, which allows staff and students to report incidents either anonymously or with contact details. Anonymous reports do not instigate any formal process, and instead are used to build statistical information, helping us to build a more inclusive community.  

Addressing Bullying and Harassment Toolkit 

The Addressing Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Toolkit outlines managers’ central role in creating Queen Mary’s safe environment. The toolkit provides clarity on manager’s responsibilities regarding bullying and harassment and guidance on how to prevent and respond.  

Stonewall employer

Queen Mary is a Stonewall-accredited employer, participating in the Proud Employers programme to strengthen LGBTQ+ inclusion across recruitment, workplace culture and staff development. Through this accreditation, the university benchmarks its practices against national best-practice standards and benefits from specialist guidance and training that support a more equitable and inclusive working environment for LGBTQ+ staff.