Equality, diversity and inclusion

The James Hutton Group celebrates and values the diversity of its workforce and believes that employing, assisting the development of, and promoting people of all protected characteristics is in the best interests of the group, its staff and students.

Our aim is to create an environment which is fair, welcoming and inclusive and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

We believe that equality of opportunity is key to achieving our mission and are committed to the positive promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion amongst all members of the James Hutton Group and to the principles of the Equality Act 2010.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee meets regularly to set and oversee our equality, diversity and inclusivity goals. The committee is responsible for ensuring that best practice policies and guidance are available and for supporting the organisation in the implementation of these. Every person working at the James Hutton Group has responsibility for implementing and promoting the equality and diversity policy and principles in their day-to-day dealings with each other, with our stakeholders, and with our collaborators outside the group.

The James Hutton Institute is committed to supporting its LGBT+ community and is determined to foster a work environment in which everyone is included, respected, and empowered to fulfil their potential, whatever their legal sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.

  • By supporting an LGBT+ Network which meets regularly to discuss any issues relating to LGBT+ equality within the Institute, consider and promote activities which would support the LGBT+ community (both within the Institute and more widely), and which feed back to the Institute’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
  • By having clear harassment respect and dignity at work policies and procedures
  • By enhancing our appeal to LGBTQ+ applicants in the recruitment process.
  • By ensuring inclusivity of events, workshops, research seminars
  • By providing regular unconscious bias training
  • By committing to an ongoing process of embedding change through wide consultation, and discussion

The James Hutton Institute was one of the first organisations of its kind to be awarded Athena SWAN Charter status in April 2014. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. The successful silver award reflect our ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive working environment.