Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Our equality, diversity & inclusion mission
We believe that positively engaging with equality, diversity and inclusion will mean we are better placed to provide the best possible experience for our students, improve staff satisfaction, and strengthen our decision making and our overall performance. Increasing evidence across the sector and beyond suggests that diverse and inclusive institutions are more efficient, more productive and deliver better outcomes.
Our aims & beliefs
- We believe that eliminating discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations between people of different protected groups is essential in order for us to succeed as a university and as a community.
- We believe that Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) are fundamental to the delivery of exceptional Higher Education and research. Not only that, but we recognise that equality, diversity and inclusion can power creativity and innovation; the two drivers at the core of Falmouth University’s mission.
- We endeavour to deliver socially responsible curricula, research and knowledge exchange, maintain inclusive and accessible physical and digital environments, and equitable access to support. This will enable the next generation of creative leaders and explorers to succeed, regardless of background or identity, and ensure that our people are equipped to identify, explore and consider issues relating to equality, diversity and inclusion throughout their personal and professional lives.
- We seek to be a tolerant community, where everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. We will not accept any forms of harassment, bullying, intimidation or discrimination and will take action when necessary.
- We acknowledge that we must remain vigilant and agile, responding to the needs of our community and wider society.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion objectives
We will deliver our Access and Participation Plan, which sets out ambitious targets to improve equity of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access Higher Education and support to succeed.
We will achieve University Mental Health Charter accreditation, taking a whole-university approach to mental health and wellbeing that seeks to shape a future in which everyone can thrive.
We will enable our workforce to continually develop socially responsible curricula, research, knowledge exchange and ways of working, and to enact positive, values-aligned change at all levels of the university.
How will we achieve this?
We will place the staff and student voice at the centre of our activity, gathering data, as well as testimony, of the ED&I experience at Falmouth in order to inform our work and encourage a culture where everyone feels safe to speak out.
We will be open about our work on ED&I issues, communicating with our community clearly and transparently.
We will invest in our people, such that it encourages positive action in relation to ED&I at Falmouth. This includes mandatory training for staff, continued engagement with the Aurora Women in Leadership programme, support for ED&I related focus groups, collaboration and dialogue.
We will ensure representation of ED&I issues is embedded across our governance structures and processes.
Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion statement of commitments sets out our values and provides a foundation on which we work to ensure more equitable opportunities and outcomes for everyone.
Our values
Creative: Knowing that creativity is the vanguard of progress, we’re constantly seeking new ways of thinking, doing and creating.
Achieve: We value the pursuit of excellence and enrichment as a collective aspiration to be the very best we can be.
Respectful: We have an open mind, we respect differing views, we listen and enable, and we work towards an equitable and diverse world.
Sharing: We collaborate and share knowledge to co-create a positive impact.
We have produced a range of toolkits which provide key information and resources for staff to support equality, diversity and inclusion at Falmouth University. The toolkits can be accessed by visiting the Staff Portal
Access and Participation
Falmouth University’s Access & Participation Plan is underpinned by equality, diversity and inclusion. The Access & Participation Plan (APP) explains how the university plans to support disadvantaged and underrepresented students, across the entire student journey, from pre-entry through to graduation.
In line with the widening participation agenda, the University delivers a range of APP interventions, including events, projects, and processes, to improve the student experience for all who choose to study with us. To gather crucial feedback from our students and key stakeholders, we conduct research evaluation projects each year, which you can access below.
Our Access and Participation Plan sets out what we are doing to improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access and succeed in higher education.
As part of our commitment to widening participation, below you'll find a selection of some of the research projects and evaluations conducted during the last two years.
The National Saturday Clubs (NSC) that the University delivers on campus throughout the year are evaluated and reviewed. This annual report analyses this data and provides a report on the club members and parents feedback.
Antiracism, Access and Inclusion Research Report
This report presents findings from research conducted at Falmouth University during the autumn/winter of 2023. The research was designed to support Falmouth University in its commitment to promoting an inclusive university and in addressing any barriers and/or practices of discrimination impacting global majority students.
Little Inventors Research Report
This report details evaluation findings from the collaborative project between Little Inventors, Sustainable Product Design (SPD) students, and Falmouth University’s Recruitment and Outreach team. The project facilitated primary school students to develop design ideas (‘inventions’) along the sustainable themes of oceans, food, and health.
‘University Is For You’ Event Evaluation
The "University is for You" event is a unique chance for students to immerse themselves in university life by taking part in a suite of activities on a university campus for a day. Specifically designed to support care-experienced students, the event offers personalised support to ensure a meaningful experience.
IOP Schools Project Evaluation Report
During the 2023-24 academic year, the Institute of Photography (IOP) implemented a project with GCSE students at Redruth School. The project includes Falmouth students running story development and editing workshops at Redruth school with the GCSE students, as well as an all-day newsroom in the IOP digital suite. This project has continued to be delivered into 2024-25.
The Student Journey Project-Year 1 Report
This is a longitudinal project, spanning the full 3 years of study at Falmouth University. A focus group of students from mixed backgrounds have applied to be part of this study. The students are interviewed each year to gather feedback on their student experiences so far.
Integrated Foundation Year Report
This report reviews the first year of the integrated foundation year programme introduced at the University. The IFY option provides an accessible transition pathway for students.
Books and Stories is a targeted attainment-raising intervention developed by Bournemouth University and delivered in conjunction with Falmouth University. It aims to achieve demonstrable improvement in the reading ability of Year 6 to Year 8 pupils and advance their confidence in and attitudes towards reading.
SEER Evaluation of the Impact of Financial Support Packages
At Falmouth University we have sought to understand how financial support offered by the University may promote positive student outcomes in relation to success and progression. To further understand the situation at the institution, the University commissioned an evaluation report into the impact of financial support packages, conducted by the SEER research team (Specialist Evidence, Evaluation and Research).
The John Schofield Trust and Falmouth University Partnership Report 2024
The John Schofield Trust (JST) is an established charity for journalists across the UK and Ireland. They help early career and student journalists regardless of their background through mentorship, networking and upskilling.
Preparing For Falmouth Transition Programme Survey 2025
The Preparing For Falmouth programme has been developed to aid the transition from FE to HE study. The programme is available to all offer holders during the summer and includes both live webinars and on demand support videos, covering different topics.
Brightside World of Work Quest 2024
Brightside and Falmouth University developed the World of Work Quest mentoring programme that was delivered in 2024. The aim of the programme was to build students’ knowledge and understanding of Post-16 and Post-18 pathways, and feel confident to make informed decisions about their next steps.
Breaking Ground Annual Report 2025
The South West Social Mobility Commission have conducted this research and produced this report for the region. Plymouth, Exeter and Falmouth Universities in conjunction with Next Steps South West have collaborated to deliver the longitudinal mentoring programme in schools across the South West, that is referred to as the CAST programme in this report. The aim of the programme was to support pupils who are eligible for free school meals to raise their attainment levels.
Falmouth University have collaborated with the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Career Hub and the Careers & Enterprise Company to develop the Start Small, Dream Big project. The university Outreach Team have delivered creative ‘Tiny Tasters’ as part of the project, in Primary Schools across Cornwall.
The Student Mentors Impact Report
The Student Mentor Scheme is a voluntary scheme in which undergraduate, on-campus students in their second and third year are trained and matched to new students on their course and within their department. These Student Mentors act as the first friend on campus for all new on-campus, undergraduate students, including those on an Integrated Foundation Year, and those starting at Falmouth in their second or third year.
