Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Our Commitment

As a college community, we are committed to working together to ensure that Merton is inclusive and welcoming to all. In the words of our Single Equality Scheme:

"Merton College aims to provide an inclusive environment which promotes equality, values diversity, and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its Fellows, staff and students are respected to assist them in reaching their full potential. The College will work to remove any barriers which might deter people of the highest potential and ability from applying to study or work at Merton College.

Our aim is to embed equality in the culture and systems of the College by ensuring that policy making, service delivery and employment practice are all equality oriented."

Update Arising from the Recent Supreme Court Ruling regarding Definitions within the Equality Act

As a college, we will always strive to ensure that everyone in our community feels safe and welcome. Our aim is to create an inclusive and supportive culture in which everyone is treated with respect, courtesy and consideration. We know some members of our community are feeling anxious as we await updated guidance from the EHRC. Any students feeling the need for support should contact a member of our Welfare Team or the University’s Counselling Service, which is LGBT+ supportive. Staff should contact their line manager or HR. 

The College continues to be committed:

• To supporting the rights and wellbeing of our trans staff and students and continuing to consider and discuss how best to do this within the law, to ensure that our approach is as informed, effective, and inclusive as possible; and
• To never tolerating harassment, bullying or discriminatory behaviour towards anyone. It is important to remember that discrimination against trans people is prohibited by the Equality Act 2010.

These commitments will not change, and we will continue to listen to, include and consider the needs of all members of our community. 

Merton Equality Conversations

The Merton Equality Conversation has taken place annually since 2014, when Professor Dame Athene Donald FRS spoke on the topic 'Stemming the leakage of women from academia: why do they leave?' Recent speakers including Trevor Phillips and Freddy McConnell have covered a range of equality- and diversity-related topics.