University of Hertfordshire awarded prestigious Race Equality Charter Silver

The University of Hertfordshire has been awarded the prestigious Race Equality Charter (REC) Silver Award by Advance HE, placing it among a handful of UK universities recognised for making significant and sustained progress in advancing race equity.

The achievement marks a major milestone for the University, which first secured REC Bronze status in 2015. It recognises sustained progress in improving representation, reducing inequalities in student outcomes and embedding race equity within leadership, governance and decision-making.

Herts is now one of just 11 UK universities to hold a REC Silver Award. It is also among a small group of institutions to hold both REC Silver and Athena Swan Silver, reflecting its commitment to advancing race and gender equality as part of inclusive practice.

Professor Anthony Woodman, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, said:

“I believe that every member of our community should feel that they belong, are respected, and have an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their race or ethnicity.

“This work is about more than meeting the requirements of a charter. It is about the kind of university we aspire to be and the values that shape how we lead.”

The award follows progress across a number of areas. The proportion of racially minoritised staff in the University's most senior roles increased from 16.5% in 2021 to 26% in 2026, surpassing its target of 20% by 2025. Representation at Academic Manager level and above also rose from 15.9% in 2024 to 22% in 2026.

The University has also continued to reduce awarding gaps between different student groups, strengthen accountability through clearer governance and performance measures, and improve recruitment and progression through initiatives including diverse interview panels, anonymised recruitment processes and mentoring.

The work has been shaped by staff and students from across the University, including a dedicated Task and Finish group, the Race Equity Staff and Student Success Groups, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Teams (EDITs), our Race and Ethnicity Equality Staff Network and Hertfordshire Students' Union.

Melanie Crofts, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Hertfordshire, said:

“With 31% of our staff and 79% of our students from racially minoritised backgrounds, advancing race equity is fundamental to ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive and feel a genuine sense of belonging at Herts.

“Achieving Race Equality Charter Silver is an important recognition of the progress we have made together as a university community. But it is also a reminder that our work is far from complete. Our focus now is on building on this progress, continuing to tackle structural inequalities and ensuring that our commitment to race equity translates into meaningful and lasting change for our staff and students.”

The award marks the next stage of the University's race equity journey. A new Race Equality Charter Action Plan has been developed around five priorities: building trust and psychological safety; strengthening leadership and accountability; improving communication and evaluation; fostering belonging and shared responsibility; and embedding anti-racist and inclusive practice throughout the student journey.

The action plan supports wider institutional commitments, including the University's Access and Participation Plan, People and Culture transformation programme and the recently signed UNISON Anti-Racism Charter.

Race equity also forms part of the University's Strategy 2025-2030, which aims to create positive outcomes for students, staff and society while building a culture that is inclusive, ambitious and collaborative.

Find out more about the University's equality, diversity and inclusion work.