The survey that is part of the research project looking into the experience of BAME staff in academic libraries is now open. It closes on the 19 October.

SCONUL has commissioned the research into the experiences of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff working in academic libraries as the first part of a research project looking at supporting members in their aim of fostering ethnic diversity within their workforces. The study is being undertaken by Dr Mohammed Ishaq, Reader in Human Resource Management, School of Business and Enterprise, the University of the West of Scotland on behalf of SCONUL.

The study has several elements including includes an anonymous survey to gather demographic data on BAME staff working within UK academic libraries. However the main focus will be to document the experiences of BAME staff through focus groups and one-to-one interviews. The focus group will be held during the week beginning the 5th November and one to one interviews between the 26th November and 7th December 2018. Travel expenses will be reimbursed for attendance at the focus groups.

If you identify yourself as a BAME member of staff within a UK academic library, we would be delighted if you would take a few minutes to complete the survey. It can be accessed via the following link. The survey is confidential and no information from the survey will be divulged to a third party. If you would like to take part in the focus group and/or interviews, please enter your email address or mobile number at the end of the surevy and a member of the research team will be in touch. 

The survey will close on the 19 October 2018.

This research is vital in supporting SCONUL members in their aim of fostering ethnic diversity within their workforces and supporting BAME staff.  Please draw the survey to the attention of friends and colleagues who would like to share their experiences of being a BAME member of staff in a UK academic library.

The work is being led by John Dowd (University of Birmingham), Regina Everitt (UEL), and Ann Rossiter (Executive Director, SCONUL) and is part of a broader programme being undertaken by the SCONUL Workforce Development Task and Finish Group. Other elements include work on the pipeline for the new talent development of the current workforce.