Principal shares next steps for inclusion at St George’s

Published: 10 June 2020

Principal Professor Jenny Higham has written to staff and students to share a new focus on inclusion at St George’s.

She emphasised that there is a strong desire for change expressed beyond platitudes. She said, “We want to listen, understand what will make a real difference and put procedures and policies in place which embed lasting change.”

She went on to give an overview of the strands of work already underway to address BME student attainment and unconscious bias in staff recruitment practices, reiterating, though, that there was still much to do.

Professor Higham noted that in response to an earlier invitation for members of the community to share their experiences and views, a group of student societies, led by the Afro-Caribbean Society and the African Caribbean Medical Society, had written an open letter to offer their perspectives

The letter was clear about both the immediate effect that recent events have had on a large group of students and, more broadly, the challenges that they as members of the Black and Minority Ethnic community face every day, both at St George’s and as part of their lives in the wider community.  

Professor Higham spoke of the need to work collaboratively in response, noting that it is a priority to ensure that members of the community feel they can raise concerns without fear of repercussions.

Professor Deborah Bowman, Deputy Principal for Institutional Affairs, will now lead an institutional review of inclusivity at St George’s to inform actions that respond to the experiences shared by staff and students.

Professor Higham said, “At a time when a sense of community has never been more important, it is critical that everyone feels they have a place at St George’s and can thrive here. Please continue to share any suggestions.”