Equality, diversity and inclusion policy
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy 2019-25 (.pdf) sets out our approach, in the context of our institutional mission, values and objectives as set out in our Strategic Plan, our People Supporting Strategy, our Education and Research Strategies and equalities legislation.
It supports our commitment to addressing under-representation where it exists, celebrating the diversity of our students and staff, nurturing communities of belonging in which all are accepted without exception, promoting inclusion, well-being, resilience and empowerment to enable everyone to reach their full potential as well as supporting and encouraging Academic Freedom of Speech within the law.
It applies to all employees, workers, contractors, students and visitors and is a means to ensure that every member of our community is aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Key dates
Dates
- January 16 - World Religion Day
- January 27 - Holocaust Memorial Day
- February - LGBT History month
- February 1 - Chinese New Year
- March 8 - International Women’s Day
- March 31 - Trans Day of Visibility
- April 2 - World Autism Awareness Day
- April 7 - World Health Day
- May 9-15 - Mental Health Awareness Week
- May 17 - International Day against homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia
- June
- LGBTQI+ Pride Month
- Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month
- 1 – Global Day of Parents
- 3 – Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikhism)
- 5 – Pentecost (Christian)
- 5 – Shavuot (Judaism)
- 6-12 – June Carers Week
- 18 – Autistic Pride Day
- 21 – Midsummer Solstice (Paganism)
- 22 – National Windrush Day
- 20-26 – UK Learning Disability Week
- 23 – International Women in Engineering Day
- 27-3 July – Deaf Blind Awareness Week
- July:
- International Women with Alopecia Month
- 7-12 - Hajj/Pilgrimage (Islam)
- 10 - Eid al Adha (Islam)
- 13 – Dhamma Day (Buddhism)
- 14 – International Non Binary People’s Day
- 22 – Al-Hijra/Islamic New Year (Islam)
- August
- 1 – Lammas/Lughnasadh (Paganism)
- 6 – Tisha B’Av (Judaism)
- 11 – Raksha Bandhan (Hinduism)
- 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
- 18 – Krishna Janmashtami – Hindu
- 23 – International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
- September
- 6 – Colour Blind Awareness Day
- 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
- 18 – International Equal Pay Day
- 23 – Celebrate Bisexuality Day
- October
- Black History Month
- Menopause Awareness Month
- Down Syndrome Awareness Month
- Global Diversity Awareness Month
- 1 – International Day of Older Persons
- 3-9 – Dyslexia Awareness Week
- 4-5 – Yom Kippur
- 6 – World Cerebral Palsy Day
- 10 – World Homeless Day
- 10 – World Mental Health Day
- 10-11 – Sukkot (Judaism)
- 11 – National Coming Out Day
- 13 – World Sight Day
- 18 – World Menopause Day
- 19 – International Pronouns Day
- 24 – Diwali (Hindu)
- 26 – Intersex Awareness Day
- 31 – All Hallows’ Eve (Christian)
- November
- Men’s Health Awareness Month
- 1 – All Saints Day (Christian)
- 2 – All Souls’ Day (Christian)
- 2 – El Dia de los Muertos (Latin America)
- 13 – UK Interfaith Week begins
- 13 – Transgender Awareness Week begins
- 18 – UK Disability History Month begins (18 Nov – 18 Dec)
- 19 – International Men’s Day
- 20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance
- 25 – International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women
- 27 – Advent Sunday (Christian)
- December
- 1 – World AIDS Day
- 2 – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
- 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- 10 – Human Rights Day
- 18 – International Migrants Day
- 19 – Chanukah begins (Judaism)
- 24 – Christmas Eve (Christian)
- 25 – Christmas (Christian)
- 26 – Kwanzaa begins
To suggest additional EDI related dates, please contact diversity@essex.ac.uk
Report and Support service
If you feel that you are being subjected to harassment or bullying in any form, there is help available to you at the University through our Report and Support service. We have appointed and trained a network of Harassment Support Workers who will listen to you and offer advice and support.
