The challenge
The University of York led two major research initiatives—Screen Industries Growth Network (SIGN) and XR Stories, funded by Research England and the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Both projects aimed to embed EDI throughout their design and delivery.
To understand how effectively EDI was integrated, project leaders commissioned Advance HE to conduct an independent evaluation that would:
- Assess EDI embeddedness across project outputs and internal practices
- Identify what worked well and where improvements were needed
- Provide actionable recommendations for future research projects
Advance HE partners with institutions worldwide to embed equality, diversity and inclusion into research culture and practice.
Our consultancy-led approach ensures initiatives like inclusive policy frameworks, evaluation reviews and strategic action planning are aligned with your priorities, whether that’s meeting funder requirements, diversifying research teams or creating collaborative environments that drive innovation and impact.
Our approach
Advance HE delivered a mixed-methods review to provide a holistic picture of EDI implementation:
- Focus groups: Gathered insights from research staff on EDI in day-to-day practices and culture
- Equality monitoring survey: Captured demographic data to assess diversity across project teams
- One-to-one interviews: Explored leadership perspectives on defining and operationalising EDI
SIGN and XR Stories were large and complex projects where we tried to embed EDI at the heart of our activities. Advance HE’s evaluation was independent, rigorous and helped us get another perspective on what we did well and where we faced challenges. Their work is being used to improve our future work and inform research-led evaluation of the projects.
Dr Anna Einarsdóttir, Reader in Critical Diversity Management and EDI Lead for SIGN, Prof Jude Brereton, Professor in Audio and Music Technologies and Skills and Training Lead for SIGN, and Dr Jon Swords, Senior Lecturer in Creative Industries and Research lead for SIGN and XR Stories
Working with the Advance HE team was a pleasure. We were kept updated with progress, they worked flexibly and we’d highly recommend them to anyone wanting an unbiased perspective on their work.
Key outcomes and impact
- EDI was strongly embedded in project deliverables, but less so in internal working practices
- Identified good practice areas, including:
- Inclusive project design
- External collaborations with diverse organisations
- Flexible working arrangements
- Supportive manager-employee relationships
- Underrepresentation of certain demographics
- Lack of a clear EDI definition at project inception
- Challenges in team-building due to pandemic constraints
Advance HE provided four overarching recommendations for future projects:
- Define EDI at the outset and integrate it into project goals
- Diversify staffing across all levels and roles
- Co-create policies with input from internal teams and external experts
- Raise awareness of EDI as a cornerstone of successful research culture
These recommendations informed online policy briefings to share lessons learned with the wider sector.
Why institutions choose Advance HE
Advance HE is the strategic partner of choice for universities committed to embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) into research culture and practice.
Institutions choose Advance HE because we offer:
- Independent evaluation of EDI embeddedness in research projects
- Evidence-based recommendations for inclusive research design and delivery
- Strategic alignment with funder requirements and institutional priorities
- Collaborative expertise to co-create policies and frameworks
- Sustainable impact that strengthens research culture and sector reputation
Advance HE brings deep expertise, global insight and a collaborative ethos to every partnership, helping institutions like the University of York embed EDI effectively and share lessons learned across the sector.
