Two Welsh unis named in the UK’s top 10 most LGBTQ+ friendly higher education employers

Swansea Uni came in first place with Wrexham Glyndwr Uni placing fifth

2 years ago

Two Welsh universities have been named in Stonewall’s top 10 inclusivity list of LGBTQ+ friendly higher education employers.

Swansea University was named the most inclusive university employer by Stonewall, Europe’s largest charity organisation for LGBTQ+ rights. It also placed 12th on the list of employers overall with its overall score being an increase of 14 places from the previous year.

Wrexham Glyndwr University was also in the top 10 at fifth place regarding higher education employment. It also came 41st in the UK for LGBTQ+ inclusive employment as a whole.

14 universities in total made Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers List, which is an increase of 12 from the year before.

Professor Martin Stringer, pro-vice-chancellor for Education at Swansea University, commented: “We are proud that Swansea University continues to celebrate our values through our commitment to equality and diversity, making us the type of university we are.”

Judith Lamie, pro vice-chancellor for international engagement at Swansea Univeristy also added: “This achievement not only represents where we currently are but also, importantly, where we are going, and we will build on this moving forward as we continue to effect change.”

Cardiff Uni, who came seventh in 2022’s list did not participate this year with the university expressing that there was “an active decision taken at a time where [they] are refreshing [their] structures and processes for equality, diversity and inclusion”.

This comes after previous backlash from university staff concerned by the lack of academic freedom and rights of students and staff, due to the charity’s stance on transgender issues.

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