Welcome to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at St Mary's. We hope you find this information useful, and we would love to hear from students and staff who want to get involved.
St Mary’s University is a Catholic institution founded on a commitment to educating the whole person – intellectually, personally and socially. As part of our mission, we nurture talent, build character and empower our community to make a positive difference in the world. Central to that mission is a strong commitment to social justice and to the inherent dignity of every human being. Equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in the way we live and express our ethos.
Our approach is grounded in our Catholic foundation, which affirms the dignity and worth of every person. This understanding of dignity also reflects a shared human principle that everyone should be treated with fairness, respect and care, and supported to participate fully in society.
We recognise that people’s experiences are shaped by their background, identity and circumstances, and that unfair treatment or exclusion can limit opportunity and belonging. Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is about creating the conditions in which all members of our community can learn, work and thrive.
For us:
- Equality means acting fairly, addressing barriers and ensuring people are not disadvantaged because of their background or who they are.
- Inclusion means creating a community where everyone is welcomed, supported and able to belong and contribute.
- Diversity means recognising, valuing and respecting difference, and understanding the strength it brings to our learning environment.
These commitments are an expression of our University values of respect, generosity of spirit, inclusiveness and excellence. They guide how we support one another, how we make decisions, and how we shape an environment that reflects care for the individual and responsibility for the wider community.
Our aim is to be a university where dignity is upheld in everyday practice, and where people of all backgrounds, identities and beliefs feel valued and able to succeed.
Our Access and Participation Plan (and summary), which is approved and monitored by our regulator, the Office for Students, sets out our targets and commitments for reducing and eliminating any existing inequalities for students and addressing barriers that might prevent anyone who chooses to study here from achieving their potential.
We aspire to go beyond our legal obligations and cultivate a community for our staff and students that truly embodies our core values of inclusion and respect. Many of our achievements and ongoing priorities are outlined in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report.
All staff, students, and visitors are expected to act in line with the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aims, taking responsibility for creating a positive experience and a safe environment for all.
Learn more about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives and resources at St Mary's