The University of Sunderland’s commitment to equality and diversity has been recognised by renowned gay rights campaign organisation Stonewall.
The new edition of Stonewall's Starting Out Recruitment Guide, which lists UK employers that support equality for gay men and women, has this year included the university.
The guide, aimed at students and jobseekers across the UK, includes the university as one of only seven educational institutions to feature and is the only university in the North-East.
Stonewall works towards and champions good practice for employees, regardless of their sexuality and only highlight employers that recognise the skills and potential of all employees, as well as removing barriers to career progression and encourage a positive environment for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff and students.
This latest recognition follows a long list of accolades and awards for the university’s commitment to equality and diversity.
Last month the University of Sunderland was named one of the top 50 employers in the UK for equal opportunities.
Recognition in The Where Women Want to Work Top 50 - run by The Times - came just a month after the university was named one of the best companies in the UK for addressing gender issues and pay inequality for women by national campaign group Opportunity Now.
Sunderland is also one of 80 institutions highlighted as Exemplar Employers by Opportunity Now for its innovative work in addressing gender, equal pay and opportunities for women.
In April this year the university won the Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) Charter Award, recognising Sunderland’s commitment to the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in science, engineering and technology.
Sunderland was one of only two ‘new’ universities to win the award, which demonstrates that the university is making practical changes to address gender imbalance in higher education.
The university has created an environment where discriminatory behaviour is not tolerated and is one of the first organisations in higher education to introduce a specific policy on sexual orientation.
In putting the policy into practice, a lesbian, gay and bisexual staff focus group is now in place, complementing the highly successful student Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Society (LGBT).
Equality and diversity manager at Sunderland, Paul Andrew, said: “Sexuality is an area which is not always addressed supportively in the North-East and as a result this can affect the confidence of lesbian and gay staff and students.
“We are delighted to be included in the Stonewall guide in order to emphasise that discrimination will not be tolerated and that all staff and students are valued in the university community. We are also working with local partners to send out a message that Sunderland is an inclusive city for all.”
The university is also at the forefront of equality and diversity in other educational institutions and is involved in a major research project, led by by Elizabeth Atkinson and Renee DePalma of the School of Education and Lifelong Learning at the university.
The two year project supports teachers in developing strategies to address sexualities equality in their own schools.