Intern, Nadia Ayed, introduces the CaCHE Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiative
About
Over 2020 a number of events (both publicly and through research projects conducted) highlighted the current lack of focus on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in UK Housing Studies, and particularly in the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) research agenda. We want to change this.
CaCHE will use its platform to support and encourage people to talk about their experiences of housing and home. Housing is central to all of our lives, but our experiences – whether that be access to safe and secure accommodation, ensuring our housing remains fit-for-purpose through our life course, how it affects our mental and physical health, how people feel within their home and the surrounding communities, discrimination people might be facing – vary considerably. We want to ensure that people’s voices are heard.
The CaCHE EDI initiative is the start of this journey. We are committed to embedding it into all of our future work. In doing so, we will:
- Create a space for meaningful discussion and engagement
- Develop relationships across the housing system, other relevant disciplines and with those who work in housing
- Engage with people living in a variety of housing situations and share their experiences.
We recognise that we only know so much, and there’s still a lot of learning ahead and we want to ensure this work values and engages with different forms of knowledge and experiences.
Aims and objectives
- To have meaningful and engaging conversations about housing and diversity in the broadest sense to highlight where there are gaps in understanding, data and research, to highlight and promote evidence where it does exist and raise the profile of best practice across the sector.
- To broaden CaCHE relationships and to provide a platform to encourage the participation of wider audiences to contribute to outputs, to share their experiences and to help highlight significant societal challenges and gaps in research and evidence.
- To facilitate a space for respectful discussion, whereby asking questions and critical discourse is welcomed and done so in a sensitive manner.
- To develop a plan of action for future research priorities and research gaps.
Get involved
This opportunity is open to everyone. If you would like to discuss this work and find out more about how you can contribute, please contact Dr Gareth Young.
Blogs
Visit the blog page to see the latest posts related to the EDI initiative.
Podcast
We have teamed up with Housing Options Scotland to produce a series of ‘In Conversation’ podcasts which tell stories about why accessible and inclusive housing, and housing-related services, are key to people’s lives.
Episode 2 – Moira Bayne, Housing Options Scotland
Episode 3 – Dr Steve Rolfe, University of Stirling
Episode 4 – Dr Kelly Henderson, Addressing Domestic Abuse
Episode 5 – LGBT Youth Scotland
Episode 6 – Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities
