Equality Analysis

Equality Analysis is a core aspect of our organisational Values and strategic ambitions to be the most inclusive university of our kind, anywhere. Our day-to-day decisions, overarching policies and associated processes all affect individual students, members of staff and visitors, often significantly and in variable ways. Equality analysis helps to ensure that the decisions and changes that are made across Queen Mary actively consider equality, diversity and inclusion. 

On this page you will find guidance and resources to support you to undertake equality analysis. 

Equality Analysis Overview [PDF 222KB]

Equality Analysis Guidance [PDF 444KB]

Equality Analysis Template [DOC 95KB]

Equality Analysis e-module (this e-module will guide you through the experience of carrying out this exercise)

What is equality analysis and why is equality analysis important? 

 A policy, process or decision that may seem fair and apply equally to everyone may, on closer inspection, adversely impact on a particular group of people. This means we must take the necessary action and steps to understand and address any inequities, barriers and differential outcomes that may exist for particular groups.

Equality Analysis provides a framework to guide us through how to make the best decisions to ensure equality impacts are considered as part of the decision-making processes. Equality Analysis involves taking an evidence-based approach to identify and consider the potential impacts of a proposed policy, practice, process or change, including engaging with key groups and stakeholders. This enables us to address any potential adverse impacts prior to implementation and supports us to actively consider how we support equality, diversity and inclusion in the decisions we make. 

Legal context

Queen Mary has legal duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty (Equality Act 2010) which govern the way we should act and make decisions. Equality Analysis enables us to ensure we are compliant with these duties. Our commitment to becoming the most inclusive university of our kind means that our approach to Equality Analysis should be bold and ambitious. To achieve our strategic mission, we must go beyond what we are required to do under legislation, focusing on how we can create the most positive, most inclusive and most impactful decisions and outcomes for our diverse community.

How do I know if I need to do an equality analysis?

Equality analysis should be undertaken for any proposed change which will have an impact on individuals at Queen Mary (this includes visitors to the university). The Equality Analysis Guidance will help you to determine what level of action you need to take and how you might use the framework to best fit the change you are considering.

Leaders and managers have discretion in how they undertake equality analysis but are expected to be able to evidence how equality analysis has informed their decision-making and equality impacts have been considered. 

The Equality Analysis e-learning resource provides guidance for equality analysis at different scales of change enabling you to pick a scenario route that best fits your context.  

How do I undertake an equality analysis?

Queen Mary provides an and  to enable staff to undertake their own equality analysis. The framework is adaptable to suit the diverse range of decision-making and changes being made across the institution. 

If you require guidance beyond these resources, please contact the EDI Team (hr-equality@qmul.ac.uk).  

Previous Equality Analysis Reports