Equality, diversity and inclusion

The University and the School are committed to supporting equality and diversity in all aspects of their activity. Everyone has the right to study and work in a supportive and tolerant environment free from discrimination and harassment, regardless of race, religion, disability, ethnicity, or sexual identity or orientation. 

All staff operate under the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

The School offers accessible teaching space in its historic buildings, and, together with the University, aims to support students with disabilities. 

The School strives to enable talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds and developing countries to attend through scholarships and hardship funds. 

A significant report published by Durham University in 2014 identifies gender balance as a key challenge for equality and diversity in theology and religious studies across the UK. The report diagnoses the transition from undergraduate to research postgraduate study as a crucial turning point. The School of Divinity has therefore developed a series of interventions to encourage female students to imagine an academic career within the discipline, as well as to promote the research of successful female academics. Some of these activities are sponsored by Logia, a School-wide women's initiative originally developed by the Logos Institute for Analytic and Exegetical Theology. They include:

  • a bespoke School-wide mentoring scheme for undergraduate women
  • a regular series of ‘fireside chats’ and workshops with female academics for all students
  • the semi-annual Smith Lectures
  • University-wide initiatives such as mentoring schemes for early-career and advanced academics. 

Faith commitment is too often the forgotten aspect of equality and diversity, despite being accorded the same status as gender and disability in every significant statement of human rights. The School has a historic identity as a Christian School of Divinity; nonetheless, its teaching and community seek to support and encourage persons of all faiths and none on an equal basis. The School encourages faith literacy in all of its activities and advises the University and external organisations on faith literacy issues.

Report and support

The Report and Support tool is available to report any concerns you have related to wellbeing, bullying, discrimination, abuse, assault or harassment of any sort. You can report anonymously or using your contact details. If you provide your contact details, a member of staff will be able to contact you to help provide support. This tool can be used by students, members of staff, members of the public or visitors to the University.

Mediation service 

The Mediation Service is available to students, staff and members of the public, experiencing disagreement or conflict, who would prefer a less formal method of discussing University-related disagreements and grievances. The service is also available for groups or teams.

The Mediators are staff members from The University of St Andrews who have undertaken formal mediation training accredited by Scottish Mediation. Several Post Graduate students have also qualified in Mediation. Mediators act impartially and separately from University Schools and Services. They are solely interested in helping those engaged in the service reach a mutually acceptable solution.

Mediation is a confidential, informal, voluntary, self-determined and without prejudice process. If you or someone you know is involved in a disagreement that is in its early stages or has reached an impasse, please contact mediation@st-andrews.ac.uk for an informal chat about how the mediators can help.