Q&A with Manchester Metropolitan University's Stuart McKenna

For those that don’t know; Who are Manchester Metropolitan University?

We are a great, modern University, in a great global city, here to make an impact on Manchester, our nation and beyond, with a driving ambition to discover and disseminate knowledge, and make higher education accessible and beneficial to all those with the passion and ability to succeed.

We work closely with our city, with business, the community and our academic peers – locally, nationally and internationally – to be inventive and creative, generate great opportunities, and enable our students, colleagues and everyone whose lives we touch to make an impact.

What does being a Top Employer mean to you?

For me, being a Top Employer is about the external validation of all the amazing work that colleagues across campus are involved in. The Institute’s accreditation provides rigour and scrutiny of the great work we are doing. It allows us to showcase ourselves alongside some of the biggest and most renowned brands in the marketplace.

What makes Manchester Metropolitan University a Top Employer?

Without a doubt it’s all about our people. Colleagues across the University have a can-do approach, and are constantly ambitious to strive for the best, for both our students and staff.

Which recent D&I initiatives are the HR team most proud of?

Although it’s only been a small part of our work, the recent launch of our Trans allies program is something I am really proud of. This year has been a difficult year for Trans people across the UK and across the globe, from the protests at London Pride to the polarised debate around reform of the Gender Recognition Act. I am proud that the University has positioned itself as a welcoming and inclusive place for Trans colleagues, staff and visitors.

What’s next for D&I at Manchester Metropolitan University?

Across the sector, the focus is increasingly on developing key strategies around Race equality. We know that less than 1% of UK professors are Black. We are looking at examining the trends and experiences of BME colleagues and developing key actions to address the status quo. From a student perspective, we also recognise, across the sector that there exists an attainment gap between White students and BME students. The team are working alongside academic colleagues on a programme to create a more inclusive curriculum.