The University of Durham has advertised several academic jobs which include potentially illegal requirements. The prestigious Russell Group member has previously been warned about this issue, but has seemingly done little to reform.
One advert from the University’s website for an assistant professor of education describes a key responsibility of the role as supporting “our continuing emphasis on international excellence as well as equality, diversity and inclusion”. Another important aspect of the job is to “engage in and enhance the values of the Department”.
This is not merely a reference to the values of scientific rigour, as the advert goes on to explain that “equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do”. Durham further notes that it is “important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.”
Another advert for an assistant professor of the histories of the “Islamicate world” lists “Service, Citizenship and Values” as part of the essential criteria. Apparently this entails “active engagement in administrative and citizenship requirements and to fostering a respectful environment, including a demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion”.
According to the University’s official guide for people “applying for an academic, research or teaching role”, an applicant’s covering letter “will be assessed against each of the essential criteria”. It seems reasonable for a candidate who either objects to certain parts of EDI or is simply unable to demonstrate a “commitment” to the concept to worry about being disadvantaged in the selection process.
Even if they make it through and actually begin working at Durham, the need to demonstrate commitment to EDI not over yet. Both adverts explain that the relevant position includes a “probation period of 1 year”, after which “subject to satisfactory performance, your position will be confirmed as permanent”. A core part of “satisfactory performance” is that employees “fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the University”. Recall that “values” includes “demonstrable commitment to EDI”.
Whether these requirements are actually enforced against academics who question parts of the EDI agenda is in some ways besides the point. They send a message to prospective, current, and future employees that they are not meant to dissent on anything EDI-related, and if they do, they certainly should not say so out loud.
At the beginning of this year, Alumni for Free Speech (AFFS) sent a formal letter of concern to Durham University over similar practices. Back then, the institution also required applicants for some academic roles to submit “An EDI & values statement”. AFFS highlighted the ways in which this practice likely violated several laws and, to their credit, Durham appears to have removed this requirement.
Nevertheless, the above examples make it quite probable that the University is still in violation of several anti-discrimination laws and free speech protections, including the recently commenced provisions of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act.
CAF is now calling on Durham University to immediately remove this requirement from all job adverts and review their recruitment policies to ensure similar requirements are not posted in the future.
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