Inclusivity and diversity

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Inclusive collection development: our aims

Oxford Brookes Learning Resources and Library Service has a role to play in equality, diversity and inclusion at Oxford Brookes. We're particularly interested in amplifying marginalised identities/voices. To this end, working with others, we have created a number of reading lists, links to which are below.

If you have any suggestions for additions, either to the lists, or to our collections, please use our suggest a resource form or contact us using the email on the right.

Statement on bias and outdated subject descriptions

Discrimination against persons because of the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation has no place at Oxford Brookes.

We recognise that some material within our collections may be discriminatory, offensive, problematic or biased. Inclusion within our collection does not represent endorsement of the views espoused.

To counter structural and selection biases within our collections, we are working to identify and promote material from under-represented groups.

Some of the language used to describe material within our collections may be outdated, discriminatory or offensive. We are working to identify and update any such descriptions.  If you would like to discuss particular instances of such language please email lr-equality@brookes.ac.uk.

As a first step, we are covering outdated language in LibrarySearch subject headings with updated terms. You can find subject headings in the 'More Item Details' section of individual records. They are a list of subject links to the right of the title “Subjects:”

Oxford Brookes students and staff, please use this google form to report subject link names that you find outdated or discriminatory.

The LibrarySearch record page for the ebook Mechanical engineering for makers : a hands-on guide to designing and making physical things. The top shows a picture of the book cover, the title and summary and on the right the access options panel with a view ebook link. Underneath are the item details. There are rows for More Author/Title Info, Language and Subjects. The Subjects title is to the left of a list of subject headings. Each starts with the name of the subject vocabulary in italics. Each subject underneath is a hyperlink. The first vocabulary is Library of Congress Subject Headings and the first subject heading in this vocabulary is Mechanical engineering -- Juvenile literature. The subjects list is enclosed in a red box to highlight it.
An item record in LibrarySearch showing the Subjects list.

Reading lists

Accessibility resources: Guidance for staff on making teaching and learning materials accessible. 

Activism: The human rights enjoyed by many societies today are hard-won social changes achieved by the courageous actions, writings, art and music of activists. This reading list is a tribute to all those who fought for and continue to fight for human rights, equality and justice.

Anti-racism: Started with suggestions from academic Sola Adesola with contributions from Jane Butcher and library staff. Help us to improve and expand this list.

Disability: This list provides a selection of books and online resources that cover a variety of disabilities, including (but not limited to) mobility disabilities, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, vision impairment and auditory disabilities. This list is not exhaustive and we welcome suggestions. Please note that the term ‘disability’ is used broadly for informational purposes and may include conditions held by people who do not consider themselves disabled.

Diversity and Inclusivity in Healthcare: A list of healthcare resources curated by Library staff that focus on topics pertaining to inequalities, diversity, and inclusivity in the healthcare setting. 

History of Black, Asian and other ethnic minorities in BritainThis is a selection of books available in Oxford Brookes Library on the history of ethnic minorities, race and racism in Britain.

Inclusive historiesWe hope that you will be fascinated by and engage with a diversity of histories during your Oxford Brookes degree - this reading list provides a few recommendations to get you started. It is structured around the characteristics of the UK Equality Act and, where the list is short, that may be because a particular area of scholarship is in its infancy. You might like to reflect on why that is or decide to try to contribute to it yourself through independent study projects.

Knowledge sources for inclusive curriculumA reading list aimed at Business School staff developed in collaboration with academic Sola Adelsola as part of the 'Diversifying the Curriculum' workstrand of Oxford Brookes University's PESE2 Inclusive, Multi-Modal Learning Environment project (2015 - 2017).

LGBTQ+ resources: List collated from recommendations by the LGBTQ+ staff forum.

Neurodiversity resources: Neurodiversity definitions vary, encompassing some or all of the following: autistic spectrum conditions, dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, Tourette's syndrome and a number of other developmental and mental health conditions. This list links to resources covering lived experience as well as further information and guidance.

Wellbeing at university: This reading list aims to offer you support for your wellbeing during your time at Oxford Brookes University. You will find resources to help with self-care, mental health problems (including stress & anxiety) and study skills. Many of the books on this list are personal accounts of mental health problems which you may find trigger difficult emotions. Please seek help immediately from our Wellbeing service if this happens.