Equity & Inclusion at LSTM

Equity & Inclusion at LSTM

Equity & Inclusion Objectives

As part of our statutory obligations, we are required to publish one or more equality objectives that align with the priorities identified in our annual reporting.

Our objectives for 2021 are:

  1. We will improve our data capturing methods to ensure that we can make effective evidence-based decisions
  2. We will develop our new Inclusion Strategy for 2021-2025 using broad stakeholder engagement, to provide a plan for our priority areas over the next four years
  3. We will prepare our Athena SWAN submission for assessment in 2022 to ensure that we are successfully identifying and minimising barriers to progression for our staff and students.
  4. We will develop an internal Race Equality Advisory Panel and work with an external consultant to prepare a sector-leading, achievable but ambitious race equity action plan to be embedded into our Inclusion Strategy.
  5. We will support the development of internal staff and student-led equity-related networks.
  6. Aligned with our Gender & Ethnicity Pay Gap Report 2021-22, we will work towards our target of a 50% reduction in the gender pay gap by 2026, and work with our Race Equality Advisory Panel to improve our understanding of our inverse Ethnicity Pay Gap.

Staff Networks

We are fortunate to have committed and active colleagues leading our networks at LSTM. These networks are grassroots-led, have formal representation on our Equity & Diversity Committee, and are key stakeholders for consultation on new policies and practices. The networks work with the School, but are separate entities and help to hold us to account, and drive change. 

LSTM has adopted the IHRA’s working definition of antisemitism

The IHRA definition is as follows:

 “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

This definition is a useful tool for understanding how antisemitism manifests itself in society. Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

  • Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
  • Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
  • Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
  • Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
  • Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
  • Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
  • Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour.
  • Applying double standards by requiring of it a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
  • Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
  • Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
  • Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.

Antisemitic acts are criminal when they are so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of antisemitic materials in some countries).

Criminal acts are antisemitic when the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property – such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries – are selected because they are, or are perceived to be, Jewish or linked to Jews.

Antisemitic discrimination is the denial to Jews of opportunities or services available to others and is illegal in many countries.

This definition of Antisemitism is adopted by LSTM  subject to the following further clarification points, the first two of which were recommended by the Home Affairs Select Committee in 2016:

  • It is not antisemitic to criticise the government of Israel, without additional evidence to suggest antisemitic intent
  • It is not antisemitic to hold the Israeli government to the same standards as other liberal democracies, or to take a particular interest in the Israeli government’s policies or actions, without additional evidence to suggest antisemitic intent
  • It is not antisemitic to propose alternative concepts of statehood (for instance proposals of shared statehood or challenging the concept and value of “statehood”) without additional evidence to suggest antisemitic intent

The definition of Antisemitism will be embedded into LSTM’s Equity & Diversity Policy.

Contact:

Samia Benbrih (pronouns she/her)
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager
inclusion@lstmed.ac.uk

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