EDI in the Foundation Industries

“Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI): Future-Proofing Your Workforce project” was funded by UKRI through the Transforming the Foundation Industries Network + project (TFIN+).

The purpose of the project is to model an approach to EDI learning and development that enables each Foundation Industry (FI) partner to benefit from a uniquely bespoke development package that responds to their specific EDI needs, contexts, challenges and ambitions.

As opposed to ‘one-size-fits-all’ approaches to EDI training and consultancy, the proposed methodology generates a model that responds sensitively to the FI sector’s EDI challenges and facilitates co-designed solutions. In this pilot stage of the project, we worked with partners to explore workforce EDI issues related to the protected characteristics of ‘age’ and ‘gender’ as these have been identified as priorities for action in the recent UKRI ERC research report on EDI in the UK foundation industries.1

Using a service design approach, we helped businesses understand what the issues are; forge a common language around EDI; develop a shared approach to - and understanding of - EDI and associated challenges, culminating in the production of a bespoke EDI plan (Roadmap for Change) that is responsive to the specific needs of our partner FI business.

Using leadership equity coaching, we equipped leaders with the confidence and motivation to tackle EDI issues and drive systemic (culture) change. The safe space of a coaching relationship enabled FI leaders to explore uncomfortable conversations about EDI and to identify gaps in their knowledge, skills and competences and address these in a non-judgmental way. Leaders shaped their own EDI learning pathway through the coaching conversation enabling us to create a truly bespoke development approach to each business leader.

Through our filmmaking work stream, we brought all this learning together, creating collateral learning materials that disseminate learning through the organi- sation and, more broadly, across the foundation industry sectors.

Researchers involved in the EDI “Future-Proofing Your Workforce” project:

Prof. Rachel Van Duyvenbode (University of Sheffield) - Co-Investigator Leading the Leadership Coaching element
Prof. Ian Reaney (University of Sheffield) - Overall Principle Investigator TFIN+
Prof. Amanda Crawley Jackson (University of Arts, London) - Co-Investigator Leading the Evaluation
Dr. Silvia Grimaldi (University of Arts, London) - Co-Investigator Leading the Service Design and co-design element
Polly Nash (University of Arts, London) - Co-Investigator Leading the Film-making