"In 2020, the alumni relations team at Bournemouth University set out to create a more inclusive service that better reflected the diversity of its graduate and student communities. Like so many around the world, the team was prompted by the Black Lives Matter movement to consider how well it was meeting the needs of its Black constituents. As the project developed, it grew to encompass diversity in all its forms as the team sought to increase engagement with under-represented groups and ensure that students and alumni from all walks of life could see themselves represented in the activities being delivered.
Following a complete review of how equality monitoring data was collected and processed, the team launched of a series of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives under the banner of DRIVE Change. Activities included online talks and panel discussions, first-person thought pieces, new external partnerships, and the launch of a Black alumni mentoring programme.
By the end of 2020-21, more than 1,600 alumni (10% of those contactable under GDPR) had chosen to share equality monitoring data, enabling the team to begin segmenting and targeting key groups. More than 200 people had participated in EDI events and the first 30 Black mentoring matches had been launched. The representation of Black alumni, disabled alumni, and LGBTQ+ alumni had increased across the university’s communications, awards schemes, and volunteering activities."
From the Judges
With more than 10% alumni participation in sharing personal demographic data, this program was a standout. The institution collaborated with legal services and their EDI office to ensure proper use of this data. This collection of data was then leveraged to segment constituents for specific programming.
