Evaluating the impact of the race equality charter on diversity staff outcomes

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Race Equality Charter (REC) was established with the main objective of tackling persistent racial inequalities in the UK Higher Education sector. There are currently over 100 REC member institutions holding close to 50 awards between them. While the sector uptake of the REC is notable, there are currently no empirical studies evaluating its impact. Using data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), this study uses a matched difference-in-difference approach to investigate the effect of the REC on the proportion of staff from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups, their corresponding share of total staff in professorial or senior academic posts, as well as their corresponding share of total staff holding permanent contracts. The results reveal non-significant treatment effects which indicates that there is no difference in diversity staff outcomes between REC and non-REC institutions.