EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) PRO-FORMA
Legislation says that the University must take steps to understand the effect, or potential effect, of its
policies* on different groups of people. This is to ensure that a policy is neither directly nor indirectly
discriminatory and to identify how it does, or could, advance equality and foster good relations
between different groups of people.
Legislation groups people by ‘protected characteristics’ and it is these ‘protected characteristics’ that
need to be considered when carrying out an EIA.
The protected characteristics are: disability, race, sex, age, gender reassignment, marriage and
civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
Your help is needed to do this, not just because the law says so, but because the University is
committed to equality of opportunity for all and to ensuring that all the University’s policies are
developed with an awareness of their consequences for different groups of people.
Heads of Sections/Departments are responsible for ensuring this form is completed for each policy
they ‘own’. It should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. Questions 1-6 only of this EIA proforma need to be completed for new policies. For existing policies, please answer all the questions.
Policies should be assessed for their effect on equality every 3-5 years.
* For the purpose of EIAs, the term policy refers to formal policies, procedures and processes. It does
not include informal policies, procedures or processes.
Name of policy
Criteria for the appointment of research degree examiners
Web address of policy
http://www2.essex.ac.uk/academic/services/staff/grad/examguide.rtf
Policy-holding
Department/Section
Registry
Academic Section
Is this a new or existing policy?
Existing
Date assessment completed
29/04/2013
Name and job title of person
completing pro-forma
Adam Atkins
Academic Section Project Assistant
Q1. What is the purpose of the policy?
The policy outlines the criteria for the appointment of research degree examiners and subsequently
outlines their role and responsibilities.
Q2. Does the policy involve, or have consequences for, the people the University serves and
employs?
Yes. The policy outlines the criteria departments should adhere to when appointing a research degree
examiner. In turn, the policy also outlines the responsibilities of these examiners in the roles that they
fill. Should the criteria outlined in this policy not be adhered to, the suitability of examiners might be
brought into question.
Q3. Does the policy require decisions to be made in relation to individuals or groups of
individuals?
Yes. The policy outlines the criteria that should be adhered to by departments when appointing
research degree examiners.
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Q4. What is the decision-making process and is it fair and transparent?
The policy clearly outlines the criteria departments should use when appointing a research degree
examiner. The policy aims to make the examination stage as fair as possible and avoid situations that
might affect the integrity of the result. For example internal examiners should not have been the
students’ supervisor; been a member of the supervisory board during the final six months before
submission of the thesis; have a professional or personal relationship with the student or the external
examiner that might give rise to a conflict of interest; or be a partner or close relative to the supervisor
(main, joint or secondary). Similar rules apply to the appointment of an external examiner.
This decision-making process is clearly outlined in the policy and demonstrates a way in which the
University has taken active steps to ensure the integrity of its examination process for research
degree students.
Q5. Please give details of what equality training is/will be provided for decision makers?
All University staff are required to complete the University’s online equality and diversity training
programme.
Q6. Referring to the list of protected characteristics at the top of this form, how do you/will you
monitor the effect this policy has on groups of people with these PCs?
The policy outlines a strict set of criteria for the appointment of a research degree examiner that
ensures there will be no situation where the integrity of the results can be brought into question.
However, any detrimental effect on persons with any particular protected characteristic identified by
monitoring, complaint or appeal will be investigated and if necessary appropriate remedial action will
be taken.
Q7. Referring to Q6 above, have you identified any positive or negative impact on any group of
people who share a protected characteristic?
The policy outlines the criteria for appointing research degree examiners in light of making sure there
is no reason to suggest that the integrity of the results might be brought into question. There is
nothing in the set criteria to suggest any discrimination towards individuals with protected
characteristics.
Q8. Have there been any complaints or issues raised about the policy in relation to its effect
on people who share a protected characteristic?
No
Q9. Are there any (further) measures that could be taken to continue to ensure the policy is
neither directly nor indirectly discriminatory?
No
Q10. Have you identified any ways in which the policy does, or could advance equality or
foster good relations between different groups of people?
N/A
Please now email the completed form to diversity@essex.ac.uk. The Equality and Diversity
Committee (EADC) have responsibility for overseeing the completion of EIAs. Equality and Diversity
will assess the information provided in the first instance and will either:


Decide that no action is required and report this to the Equality and Diversity Committee;
Recommend actions to be taken and report this to the Equality and Diversity Committee *;
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
Refer the EIA to the Equality and Diversity Committee who have the option to require a more
detailed assessment be carried out.
The individual completing the EIA pro-forma will be informed of the outcome of the assessment by
Equality and Diversity as soon as possible after submitting the form.
*If Equality and Diversity recommend action(s) be taken, a report outlining the progress made against
the recommended actions will be requested one year after the EIA has taken place.
For completion by Equality and Diversity
Name of Policy
Criteria for the appointment of research degree
examiners
No.
Should this EIA be referred on to the Equality
and Diversity Committee for further
consideration?
If no, what recommendations, if any, should
be made to the Policy-holding
Department/Section?
None.
Date:
9 August 2013
Signed
Karen Bush, Equality and Diversity Manager
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