Available to Advance HE Members only.
Our engagement with members through the ‘holistic approach to EDI’ project revealed a strong sector-wide appetite for a strategic, intersectional approach to EDI that enables institutions to set and pursue their priorities. Efficiency, scalability, and sustainability were key themes raised by members, especially in light of current financial pressures across the higher education sector globally.
Flexibility emerged as a crucial component, with institutions requiring adaptable approaches that can address specific regional contexts and regulations and while institutions expressed interest in a framework to support them, there was strong feedback for Advance HE to offer a range of supportive resources beyond a single solution, including best-practice sharing and peer support.
Building on insights gathered, our high-level vision is to produce a comprehensive suite of support centred around a flexible, strategic and integrated framework – the Inclusive Institutions Framework.
The Inclusive Institutions Framework will be available as an add-on for Advance HE member institutions and delivered in cohorts of up to 10 institutions over a three-year period, followed by a five-year structured award phase focused on evaluation and sustained impact.
The Inclusive Institutions Framework – From co-development to delivery
Consultation (2022)
Conducted by Newcastle University researchers, led by a Sector Advisory Group.
Survey, interviews, submissions and consultation events.
279 stakeholders consulted.
Discovery (2023-24)
Deep-dive evidence gathering with 29 UK institutions.
Over 70 hours of discussions involving over 120 stakeholders.
Roundtable events with an additional 45 UK institutions and 11 global institutions.
Development (2024-25)
Drawing on a full range of expertise from across Advance HE.
Tested and informed by a co-development group made up of 19 UK institutions.
Additional co-development with institutions in Ireland, Canada and Australia.
We are working with a co-development group of 19 UK institutions, as well as international collaborators in Ireland, Canada and beyond. Their insights, along with expertise from across Advance HE – including equality charters, leadership development, student success, strategic planning and change management, are helping us shape a framework that is modular, flexible, and strategically aligned. Together, we are creating a framework that reflects the complexity and variation of institutional contexts, while offering clarity, structure and support for building capacity and driving change.
The framework will support institutions to strengthen their systems and structures, build and analyse their evidence base, identify and agree on priorities, and plan and evaluate coordinated action – all with a view to embedding long-term, institution-wide change.
Feedback on the Inclusive Institutions Framework’s draft structure has been overwhelmingly positive, with institutions welcoming the iterative, modular design and emphasis on strategic alignment. As one respondent shared:
“The framework’s emphasis on continuous improvement and alignment with broader institutional goals is exactly what we need to embed sustainable EDI practices.”
This feedback is helping to shape final refinements as we prepare to launch the first cohort in 2026. We remain committed to a collaborative, transparent approach, with ongoing development informed by our co-development partners and wider sector engagement.
Blog
Who says good practice is good? Leadership of equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education
Professor Nicola Dandridge
Pathfinder for the future
We are now preparing to support a pathfinder group, which will become the first full cohort starting in January 2026.
The Pathfinder Group is designed for institutions that want to begin engaging with the Inclusive Institutions Framework. Members of this group will benefit from:
- Early access to the framework materials and guidance;
- Support to explore how the Inclusive Institutions Framework can align with or replace existing Charter work;
- Help navigating institutional readiness, goals and timelines;
- A role in shaping final refinements before full launch.
If your institution is interested in the Inclusive Institutions Framework, please complete the form below to be kept updated about Inclusive Institutions Framework developments.
We will provide guidance and run engagement sessions in parallel with the Pathfinder Group to help you understand your options and where relevant, plan your transition to the Inclusive Institutions Framework.
Register your interest
