Equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Business School is committed to building an inclusive environment where equality and diversity are embedded in how we work and learn. This commitment is central to our strategic vision of a world-leading business school with people at its heart, and to our values of ambition, collegiality, and mutual support. We aim to foster a welcoming community where contributions are recognised and collective goals are shared.
Everyone in the School has the right to study and work free from discrimination and harassment, regardless of race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual identity or orientation.
The School operates within the University's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy (PDF) and Dignity and Respect at Work policy (PDF), and our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee oversees how these are put into practice. The School aims to achieve fair and equal representation for everyone, so that all staff and students can contribute and reach their full potential.
If you have thoughts, ideas or concerns about equality, diversity or inclusion in the School, please contact the Director of EDI, one of the EDI Department Leads, or any member of the committee. The committee warmly welcomes feedback from undergraduate and postgraduate students, and from academic and professional services staff alike. You can also reach the University's EDI Office at diversity@st-andrews.ac.uk.
If you are interested in joining the EDI Committee, please contact the Director of EDI. The School encourages expressions of interest and seeks to maintain a broad and representative committee.
The University's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) page links to University-wide policies, staff and student networks, events, and further information about diversity at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
Support resources
If you experience or witness bullying, discrimination, abuse, assault or harassment, provides a safe way to raise it. You can report anonymously or share your contact details so an adviser can follow up directly.
Disagreements at work or in study don't always need a formal process. The University's mediation service offers a confidential, informal route for individuals, groups and teams to work through difficulties together. It is open to staff, students and members of the public connected to the University.
Access Mediation ServiceThe collects initiatives, events and resources from across the University into a single place, with monthly themes designed to strengthen a shared culture of understanding and inclusion.
Bullying and harassment
The Business School adopts a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and harassment.
The University’s Dignity and Respect at Work policy defines:
- Bullying as
unwanted behaviour from a person or group that is either offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting or an abuse or misuse of power that undermines, humiliates, or causes physical or emotional harm to someone.
- Harassment as
unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment (whether it was intended or not) for that individual.
Bullying and harassment can manifest themselves in many forms and will not always be physical or verbal. They may occur through written communications, visual images (for example, pictures of a sexual nature or embarrassing photographs of colleagues), email, phone and social networking websites.
Students can also refer to the University’s Student Conduct policy.
Have you experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour?
If you have experienced or witnessed bullying or harassment and would like to discuss or report it, whether formally or informally, there are several ways to seek support and raise your concerns:
- You can contact the Director of EDI, the EDI Leads or the Directors of Wellbeing.
- You are also welcome to contact someone outside your own department. In addition to other members of the EDI committee, you can contact:
- University EDI Office: diversity@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Student Services: theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Chaplaincy: chaplaincy@st-andrews.ac.uk
It is important to go beyond what is legally required, and the School strives to create an environment that is genuinely respectful, kind, and embraces difference.
Athena Swan
Both the former School of Management and the former School of Economics and Finance were awarded status in 2017 and 2019 respectively, recognising their commitment to advancing gender equality and addressing barriers to career progression.
This Bronze Award has since been extended to cover the entire ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Business School until 2026.
Achieving a new Athena SWAN Bronze accreditation as a newly unified entity is a strategic pillar of the Business School. Work is currently underway on the next application, under the lead of Professor Carole Elliott and Dr Irina Merkurieva.
The Charter is one of the initiatives of Advance HE, helping UK Universities and Colleges to build an inclusive culture that respects and values diversity and to challenge and change unfair practices that disadvantage individuals or groups. The University of St Andrews has been a member of the Athena SWAN Charter since 2011 and holds the .
EDI in practice
Centre for Research in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (CREDI)
The is a research centre based in the Department of Management. CREDI serves as an intellectual and organisational home for individuals and groups across the University whose research focuses on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) issues. It provides a context in which EDI-related research can take place, and in which synergies and collaborations can be developed. More information about research activity is available on the centres, institutes and networks page.
Discover Economics Student Champions Programme
The Departments of Economics and Finance are collaborating with the to increase diversity of Economics and Finance students. Every year, undergraduate student champions from the two departments deliver a series of workshops in local secondary schools, designed to give pupils an insight into studying economics and finance and promote interest in the two fields.
Ethics Cup
The Business School supports and collaborates with the , a tournament in which teams of 14 to 18-year-old students match wits with each other discussing ethical issues.
Herald Education Awards
The Business School was a in the 'Supporting Student Wellbeing' category, with the project: The Essay Gift: a proactive assessment flexibility initiative to support student wellbeing.
Inclusive Teaching Award
Three academic members of the Business School have received , which recognise excellence in inclusive pedagogy and anti-racist teaching: Dr Vicky Ward for the undergraduate module ‘Creating, Managing, and Using Knowledge in Organisations’, Dr Neha Gopinath for the postgraduate module ‘Introduction to Entrepreneurship’, and Dr Xi Xi for the undergraduate module ‘Strategic Management’.