National Inclusion Week (15 – 21 September 2025) is an annual opportunity, led by Inclusive Employers, where organisations across the UK reflect on progress towards equality and celebrate the strength of inclusive communities.

This year, the University of Bedfordshire is marking the week by highlighting initiatives and successes that have contributed to building a fairer, more supportive environment for staff and students.

Some achievements from the past year, which have been detailed in the new EDI Annual Report, collated by the University’s People & Culture team, include:

• Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in healthcare education – The Faculty of Health & Social Sciences has embedded new approaches to teaching that address gender imbalances in future professions. Diversity and Difference workshops now form part of the curriculum, enabling students to explore social justice, ethics and human rights in healthcare.
• Celebrating the Festival of Culture – Led by the Centre for English as a Foreign Language, this week-long festival hosted nine main events including Bangladeshi and Bhangra dancing, an International Fashion Show, and African drumming. An international recipe book was also produced, and two student recipes were chosen and cooked in the university canteen.
• Dignity and Respect at Work Policy – The new policy provides clear guidance on microaggressions, explicit recognition of gender identity and expression as protected characteristics, and targeted training to prevent sexual harassment.
• Narrowing the awarding gaps – The University of Bedfordshire Business School and the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences have made significant progress in narrowing attainment and awarding gaps, particularly between white and minority ethnic students, and between male and female students.
• Recognition in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index – The University is proud to have earned a Bronze award, ranking 111th nationally, with a commitment to continue to deliver continued improvements in policies and support for LGBTQ+ colleagues and work towards becoming a Top 100 employer.

This National Inclusion Week, you can also listen to three special episodes of the University’s ‘Bits of Beds’ podcast, featuring conversations with staff and students who share their experiences of inclusion and belonging on campus.

Looking ahead, the University is preparing to mark Black History Month in October with a programme of events. A key highlight will be a talk by Roland Butcher, the first Black cricketer to represent England’s national team, who will share his story of breaking barriers in the sport and wider community. Keep an eye out on the University’s events page for more information on this soon.

To find out more about this year’s National Inclusion Week, visit https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/national-inclusion-week/