Student Belonging and Inclusion Survey

Complete the survey

This survey aims to gather student views on experiences of belonging and inclusion at Cambridge, particularly as these relate to race, gender and other protected characteristics. The results will be used to support the University’s applications to renew its Race Equality Charter and Athena Swan awards, as well as to inform equality, diversity and inclusion priorities and action plans at Cambridge.

All students received an email about this survey on Wednesday 24 April 2024 from the email address allstudentnotice@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Why is this research being conducted?

The University of Cambridge is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. In order to support these aims, we periodically conduct research into the experiences of staff and students and how these may be affected by gender, race and other protected characteristics.

In particular, the data from this survey will be used to support our applications to renew our Race Equality and Athena Swan charters and to inform the action plans that accompany them. These charters, from the awarding body Advance HE, recognise our efforts to advance racial equality and gender equality at Cambridge. The data from the research will also be used to support internal action planning around equality, diversity and inclusion priorities at Cambridge.

Why have I been asked to take part?

You have been invited because you are currently registered as a student at the University of Cambridge. As we wish to obtain as representative a range of views as possible, all students – undergraduate and postgraduate, full-time and part-time – are being invited to participate in this research project.

Do I have to take part?

No. You can choose not to take part in the survey.

What happens to the data I provide?

The research is being conducted by staff from the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) team in the Human Resources (HR) Division of the University of Cambridge.

The information you provide during the study is known as the research data. Any research data from which you can be identified (e.g. name, email address, gender, ethnicity, disability, College name, year of study, department name) is known as personal data.

This survey does not ask you to identify yourself. If you voluntarily disclose your identity or information that could make it easier to identify you (e.g. your College or department) this will be anonymised before being stored. In the reports generated from the student survey, any personal data will be anonymised and no attempt will be made to identify individuals on the basis of personal data they supply. No personal information, or information which could permit an individual to be identified, will be shared beyond the ED&I team, either within or outside the University.

Research data will be stored for at least three years after completion of the research (as standard practice). Only authorised personnel will have access to the research data. Responsible members of the University may be given access to data for monitoring and/or audit of the research.

The analysis and reports developed from this research project will be shared with relevant internal stakeholders, including staff and students, as well as being included in the University’s applications to renew its Race Equality and Athena Swan Charters (which are public documents).

Will the research be published?

The research will be published in the form of internal reports, shared with relevant stakeholders and University Committees as required, and also in the University’s public applications to renew its Race Equality and Athena Swan Charters.

Who has reviewed this study?

This study has been reviewed by the senior management teams of the HR Division and the Office of External Affairs and Communications at the University of Cambridge. Project oversight is provided by the project supervisors, Gina Warren and Dr Tanesha Allen

Who do I contact if I have a concern?

If you have a concern about any aspect of this study, please contact the ED&I team (equality@admin.cam.ac.uk) who will do their best to answer your query. If you remain unhappy or wish to make a formal complaint, please contact the Head of the ED&I team: Ndunge.Kivuitu@admin.cam.ac.uk

Further information and contact details

If you would like to discuss the research with someone beforehand (or if you have questions afterwards), please contact:

Gina Warren BA MSc
EDI Consultant
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Section, Human Resources

Email: gb367@cam.ac.uk

Address: EDI Section, Old Schools Trinity Lane Cambridge, CB2 1TN United Kingdom