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EDI: Foundations of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Learn about the role of equality, diversity, and inclusion in contemporary society and organisational practice.

4.9 (15 reviews)

1,219 enrolled on this course

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EDI: Foundations of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

4.9 (15 reviews)

1,219 enrolled on this course

  • 4 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Overview
Syllabus
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Investigate why EDI matters with the University of Lincoln

Understanding EDI is integral to developing respect, acceptance, and kindness for those around us, whether personally or professionally.

On this four-week course, you’ll be introduced to the core concepts of EDI. You’ll discover why inclusion matters in today’s society, reflecting on why traditional approaches to EDI have been unsuccessful.

Explore key terms and the language of EDI

Language has the power to help or hinder efforts to increase diversity and inclusion.

You’ll investigate EDI language and learn why it’s important for driving change, particularly in the workplace.

With this knowledge, you’ll be able to develop strategies to encourage a sense of belonging, community, and connection at work.

Examine social inequality and the fight against discrimination in the workplace

Having learned how to apply the correct terminology, you’ll explore the representation of different groups in society and the media.

You’ll use your understanding of stereotypes and prejudices to assess the impact of discrimination at work and the fight for equity in the workplace.

Using this overview, you’ll be able to explain the need to challenge social and economic disparities to help build a fairer society.

Discover the importance of sharing diverse perspectives and lived experience

You’ll finish this course by examining the importance of lived experience.

You’ll learn how engaging with insights from diverse backgrounds can have far-reaching benefits for companies and policymakers, as well as for individuals who experience discrimination.

By the end of this course, you’ll be comfortable using EDI terminology to explain societal inequalities and have the confidence to address disadvantage in the workplace.

Skip to 0 minutes and 0 seconds Equality, diversity and inclusion is an ethos that encompasses respect, understanding, kindness, and acceptance. And taking the time to learn about EDI can be transformative for all of us.

Skip to 0 minutes and 16 seconds I’m Professor Belinda Colston and I’m the director of the Eleanor Glanville Institute at the University of Lincoln. In our society, everyone has the right to be treated fairly with dignity and respect. These are our human rights. This course will help you to understand why inclusion matters in today’s society and encourage you to think critically about culture, disability, homophobia, racism and sexism. The course will explore equality, diversity and inclusion. That’s EDI from a range of different perspectives. Learners will explore key concepts, develop and deepen their knowledge, and build their understanding of EDI so that they can improve their own knowledge and practice in their professional life.

Skip to 1 minute and 4 seconds If you’re looking to develop your knowledge and awareness of EDI, or if you’re looking to develop EDI awareness within your organization, then this course is for you. There’s no prior knowledge required before joining the course. Just an eagerness to learn and an open mind. Everyone can benefit from developing their awareness of diversity, and we’re excited to invite you along on this learning journey.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    The Foundations of EDI

    • Introduction

      In this first activity, you'll get to know a bit more about the course, who we are and have the opportunity to introduce yourself.

    • Why EDI Matters

      In this activity, we will look at why EDI matters. We'll begin by looking at the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the role this plays in EDI.

    • EDI in Contemporary Society

      This activity will cover EDI in contemporary society and why the traditional approach isn't working.

    • Trust and EDI

      In this activity, we will explore the role of trust in EDI.

    • Summary and Reflection

      This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.

  • Week 2

    Making a Change

    • Welcome Back

      This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.

    • The Legal, Business and Moral Case for EDI

      This activity presents the legal, business and moral case for EDI.

    • The Language of Change

      This activity will focus on EDI language by exploring what the terms 'equality', 'equity', 'diversity' and 'inclusion' mean and how they intersect.

    • The Fight for Equity in the Workplace

      This activity will consider the importance of equity in the workplace and what it may look like.

    • Summary and Reflection

      This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.

  • Week 3

    Inequality Challenges

    • Welcome Back

      This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.

    • Discrimination in the Workplace and Wider Society

      In this activity, we will explore how discrimination still prevails in the workplace and wider society.

    • The Persistence of Inequality

      In this activity, we will consider the possible reasons why inequality still persists.

    • Social Inequality in the UK

      In this activity, we'll look at social inequality in the UK.

    • Summary and Reflection

      This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.

  • Week 4

    Diverse Voices and Perspectives

    • Welcome Back

      This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.

    • Lived Experience

      In this activity, we will look at the importance of lived experience in EDI.

    • Informed Decisions

      In this activity, we'll look at how lived experience can inform policy decisions.

    • Summary and Reflection

      This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise. A course overview will be provided and the course will conclude with a quiz to test your knowledge of the course material.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe what Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is and explain why it matters in contemporary societies and organisations
  • Identify and use key EDI concepts and language
  • Describe the main legal frameworks governing EDI practices in UK organisations
  • Evaluate the business benefits which arise from maintaining a diverse workforce
  • Explore the ethical arguments for supporting organisational EDI and developing inclusive practices
  • Discuss the key challenges for EDI and articulate possible solutions

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone with an interest in furthering their understanding of EDI, whether in a personal or professional context.

It’s also suitable for organisations who want to develop employee awareness and practice of EDI.

Who will you learn with?

Belinda Colston

I'm the Director of the Eleanor Glanville Institute at the University of Lincoln, and the University's strategic lead for equality, diversity and inclusion

Megan Walker

Megan is a Researcher at the Eleanor Glanville Institute and is one of the equality, diversity and inclusion course developers.

Who developed the course?

University of Lincoln

The University of Lincoln is rated in the top 20 UK universities for student satisfaction in the Guardian University Guide 2022 and the Complete University Guide 2022.

  • Established

    1996

  • Location

    Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$349.99 for one year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$134/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Continue & Upgrade

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 23 May 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

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