Equality at the OU

The Open University is innovative, responsive and inclusive. We deliver world-class, part-time education to people across the four nations of the UK, Ireland and worldwide. We make a significant contribution to employability and productivity, strengthening the UK economy.

Since 1969, we have promoted educational opportunity and social justice by providing high-quality education to all those who wish to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential. More than two million people have experienced this life-changing learning through their study with us.

Our mission is to be open to people, places, methods and ideas and this means that a commitment to equality is embedded in all that we do. We celebrate diversity and the strengths that it brings and we challenge under-representation and differences in outcomes.

Discrimination arising from individual characteristics and circumstances is not only unlawful, but a waste of talent and a denial of opportunity, preventing individuals, organisations and societies from achieving their growth potential.

For more information, view The Open University's Anti-Discrimination Statement and Anti-Racism Statement.

Managing and mainstreaming equality and diversity

We manage and mainstream equality and diversity in order to meet our statutory equality duties and more by:

• Consulting and engaging with staff
• Developing inclusive policy
• Developing staff
• Influencing partners
• Influencing providers of goods and services
• Monitoring equality of opportunity
• Planning and reporting performance
• Providing accessible information and services
• Publishing information
• Sharing resources
• Widening participation
• Working with equality organisations

Further detail is contained in our Equality Scheme.