Religion and Belief: supporting inclusion of staff and students in higher education and colleges

[Jill Anderson]

Advance HE has issued a comprehensive new guide: “Religion and Belief: supporting inclusion of staff and students in higher education and colleges" to higher education institutions across the UK, and colleges in Scotland.

The guidance examines a full range of engagements with students, staff and beyond the campus in areas such as access, recruitment and civic responsibilities, providing detailed recommendations which institutions may wish to consider when looking at how they achieve equality of opportunity and inclusion for a diverse range of faiths and beliefs - and those of no belief.

The guidance revisits and consolidates our previous work on religious inclusion, including the ground-breaking research by the Equality Challenge Unit in 2011, Religion or belief in higher education: the experiences of staff and students (ECU 2011a), though many of those recommendations remain valid. The new guidance reflects societal change and a new policy landscape since 2011.

The guidance points to institutions placing a greater strategic focus on the inclusion of different beliefs to create an environment where ‘all students and staff feel safe to be themselves, and can respectfully explore differences of thought and practice.’

This timely piece supports UUK’s renewed call for the sector to further efforts to ensure support for all students, and take pride in being a global sector, welcoming for international staff and students

Further details

[Lionel Rice]

It is so important to be supportive and understanding of cultural background and religious beliefs. It is sad that many consider religion to always be oppressive. True spirituality brings real freedom. It often saves us from becoming slaves to self seeking, self pleasing and competing - the capitalist western way of life? Lets see more "body, mind and spirit" in health and social care

[Jill Anderson]

I so agree Lionel.  A number of other resources linked to spirituality on here: http://mhhehub.ning.com/main/search/search?q=spirituality

Does anyone have new links to add?