Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Society endeavours to embrace equality, diversity and inclusion and is working to ensure opportunities are accessible for all members, whatever their geographical location, personal background or work setting.

The Governance Review of 2020/21 outlined a number of recommended changes to the way the Society works. Within the wide range of recommendations were a number that related specifically to equality, diversity and inclusion, an important theme of the Governance Review, that it was felt needed further discussion and debate. To this end Council set up a member led working group to review how we could remove barriers to membership, increase participation and embed a culture of EDI within the work of the Society.

The EDI working group delivered its findings to Council in the summer of 2023, which have since been adopted. Council also agreed a set of guiding principles which will form the basis for the Society’s EDI policy and act as a framework for all its activities. They are:

• The Society must demonstrate that every person professionally interested in endocrinology is welcome as an equal and adopt a clear set of values that include equality, diversity and inclusion.
• All members must have equal opportunities to hold a position within the Society’s structure, including governance, regardless of their location in the UK, career stage or protected characteristic. Where specific knowledge or experience is needed to fulfil a role this will be clearly communicated through a detailed job description.
• The Society will aim to have equitable representation from across the membership within its Council, as far as is practical.
• All governance vacancies and opportunities to be involved in Society activities will be advertised openly to the whole membership and selection will be based on having the necessary skills, experience and motivation for the role, as set out in the formal Job Description.
• If any member who is involved in a Committee or other Society activities takes a career break for any reason the Society will endeavour, where possible, to ensure that they are still able to take full advantage of the opportunity.
• All efforts will be made to ensure that the overall provision of support in the form of grants, prizes and awards benefits the membership equally. Selection of members for support will be made through a fair and equitable process, with clear criteria for success.

You can read the full report here.