Department of Geography Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group (EDIG) 

Who are we? 

The Geography Department Equality Diversity and Inclusion Group (EDIG) was set up in 2020 in order to formalise the ways that EDI work is organised and embedded within the Department. Members who sit on EDIG represent all constituencies of the Department alongside specific concerns which reflect the interests and identities of staff and students. These include issues relating to ethnicity, dis/ability, sexuality, mental health, caring responsibilities, first-generation scholars and fractional and fixed-term working conditions. 

EDIG reports on and responds to EDI matters relating to the Department, Durham University and the higher education sector more broadly. It is also responsible for implementing actions related to the Department’s successful Athena Swan Silver Award, a national gender-equality accreditation charter, which we received in March 2024, rewarding the Department’s current and ongoing work in areas of gender and intersectional equality.  

What do we do? 

We are committed to ensuring that the Department is a safe, inclusive and enjoyable place to work and study.  We organise events to help build community and understanding across the Department whilst also raising awareness around specific issues by participating in a range of national and international celebration days and months. These celebrations include International Women’s Day, Black History Month, Trans History Month, Polar Pride and Women and Girls in Science Day.  

We also consult with staff and students about their needs as well as responding to specific concerns as they arise.    

Some examples of the work we are doing: 

• LGBTQI+ coffee and cake gatherings 

• First Generation Students Welcome Meeting 

• International Student Cafés 

• Creating Inclusive Fieldwork Guidance 

• Developing a Departmental Staff Work-Life Balance Policy 

• EDI All Staff Away Day 

• Lecture Content Warning Guidance for Teaching Staff 

• MEQ Completion Guidance for Students 

How to get involved 

We are always happy to hear from students and staff with your ideas for future work and events related to EDI. Similarly, if you are interested in being involved in the EDIG or have specific issues you would like to raise please contact:    

Léonie Newhouse (EDIG Chair) leonie.s.newhouse@durham.ac.uk 

Useful Contacts:

Durham University Equality and Inclusion Hub: https://durhamuniversity.sharepoint.com/teams/EDIhub 

Inclusive Durham Student Hub: https://durhamuniversity.sharepoint.com/teams/EDIhub/SitePages/Student-Home.aspx

Report and Support Tool (Online resource for people who have experienced bullying and harassment, hate incidents, sexual misconduct and/or domestic abuse): https://reportandsupport.durham.ac.uk/

Counselling and Mental Health Service: https://durhamuniversity.sharepoint.com/teams/TheCounsellingandMentalHealthService