The Department of Sociology is committed to fostering an inclusive culture which enhances diversity, promotes equality of opportunity, and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected.
Our research addresses some of the most pressing societal challenges of our times and is used in policy making across the world to reduce social inequalities. Actively working towards advancing equality, diversity and integration is at the core of our principles as a Department.
In 2022 we achieved Athena SWAN Bronze recognition, and have started rolling out our SMART Action Plan. This plan contains a comprehensive review to help address our Department's main equality and diversity challenges, and outlines steps we are taking to advance our goals in this area. Some of our progress so far includes:
- Establishing an Equality and Diversity Committee (EDC) who, through critical reflection, implementation and monitoring, will ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are key considerations within all departmental activities.
- Introducing a part-time DPhil programme, and increasing places on the part-time MSc degree, to support students who may have caring, work or other responsibilities.
- Participating in UNIQ+ and Leverhulme Trust’s ‘Moving Beyond Inequality’ scholarships.
- Starting to contribute to wider University of Oxford initiatives, including the University Race Equality Strategy and Charter Action Plan.
We will continue to update this section regularly with further actions, progress and news.
Countering Harassment
We do not tolerate any form of harassment and expect all members of the University community to treat each other with respect, courtesy and consideration. The wellbeing of our community is a key priority and we strive to foster an open culture where everyone is heard, valued and encouraged to participate.
For further information, including information on support and advice, please visit:
Useful Links
Further information about how the University is championing equality and diversity – including work in the areas of disability, gender, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation and transgender - can be found on the Equality and Diversity Unit website. This website also includes information about the following:
