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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Anti-racism work

BSMS > About BSMS > Working here > Inclusivity > Anti-racism work

Anti-racism work

Find out what BSMS is doing to promote race equality, how you can get involved and explore resources that may be of interest.
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Decolonising the Curriculum

BSMS is committed to the Inclusive Practice Partnerships (IPP) scheme, a University of Brighton-wide initiative that empowers students and staff to work together to create a more inclusive curriculum. They do this through diversifying and decolonising their module content, and how it is delivered. For further information please visit the University of Brighton's website here or contact inclusivity@bsms.ac.uk >

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Our aims

British Medical Association – Racial Harassment Charter 

BSMS are formally committed to the British Medical Association’s Racial Harassment Charter which provides a framework in order to prevent and address racial inequity and harassment within medical schools. The charter provides a set of actions to help medical schools work towards identifying and tackling institutional and cultural barriers. 

Read more about the BMA Racial Harassment Charter here >

Anti-Racism Forums

BSMS hosted a series of school wide Anti-Racism Forums from 2020 to 2022, in order to provide a safe space for students and staff to share their experiences of racism within the school and welcome critical discussion, concerns and contributions. Software was provided to ensure attendees could submit comments and questions anonymously without the concern of feeling uncomfortable. At the end of 2022, these forums transformed into broader Inclusivity forums – the format remains the same however we encourage students and staff to bring any concerns related to equality, diversity, discrimination, or harassment. Actions are monitored, taken to senior committees, and shared in staff and student newsletters to ensure continuity and transparency throughout the school.

For further information please email inclusivity@bsms.ac.uk 

Institutional Racial Equality Charters 

The Universities of Brighton and Sussex have joined Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter, which provides a framework through which institutions work to identify and self-reflect on institutional and cultural barriers standing in the way of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Member institutions develop initiatives and solutions for action, and can apply for a Bronze or Silver REC award, depending on their level of progress.

Read more about the Advance HE Racial Equality Charter here >

University of Brighton

The University of Brighton participated in the trial framework with 21 other volunteer institutions, resulting in eight institutions receiving a Bronze Award. Following participation in 2015, the university increased capacity and resources to fully meet the expectations of the scheme.

Read more here >

University of Sussex

The University of Sussex joined the Advance HE Racial Equality Charter in December 2018 and is working towards an application under the Charter by February 2022.

Read more here > 

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Resources

  • Mind the Gap Handbook – Developed by Malone Mukwende in partnership with Margot Turner and Peter Tamony from St George’s University of London. The handbook can now be downloaded as an e-book on the Black and Brown Skin website - read more here >
  • Book recommendations - available from the University of Brighton library:
    • Postcolonial banter - read more here >
    • The inner work of racial justice - read more here >
    • Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience by Sheila Wise Rowe and Soong-Chan Rah - read more here >
    • The Racial Healing Handbook by Annaliese Singh - read more here >
    • The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help Challenge Privilege, Confront Systematic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing - read more here >
    • The struggle over black lives matter… - read more here >
  • The University of Sussex offers Unconscious Bias training for staff members. Read more here >
  • Links to local anti-racism websites – 

Events

An illustrated graphic for the Anti-Racism Call For Submissions 2024 with three organisations logos and a blue and pink drawing of a group of people

Anti-Racism in Healthcare Conference

Tuesday 12 March 2024, 9:30am-4:30pm
This will be held in person at the BSMS Medical Teaching Building on the University of Sussex campus and attendance is free. This conference is currently accepting abstracts.

Find out more here >