Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Policy

This is a shortened version of the EDI Policy that is shared with all stakeholders actively involved  in Pint of Science activities, and it is intended for public use.

1. Purpose and commitment

Pint of Science is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone involved in our events including volunteers, speakers, partners, attendees, and members of the public. We recognise that diversity enriches our community and drives creativity, innovation, and impact.

We aim to ensure that all individuals are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect, and that no one is subjected to discrimination, harassment, bullying, or victimisation, across both physical and virtual spaces. Our policy aligns with the Equality Act 2010 and reflects our commitment to equality and fairness across all areas of our work.

2. Scope and principles

This policy applies to everyone involved with Pint of Science, across physical and virtual spaces. It covers all aspects of activity, including volunteering, events, communications, partnerships, and community engagement.

Our core principles include:

  • We have zero tolerance for unlawful or unfair discrimination, harassment, or victimisation of any kind.
  • Everyone should feel respected, valued, and able to participate fully and safely.
  • We actively support equality of opportunity and inclusion for individuals of all backgrounds and protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
  • We strive to remove barriers to participation and create accessible and welcoming events.
  • We commit to regularly reviewing and improving our practices based on feedback, other data, and legal guidelines.

3. Responsibilities

Directors are responsible for ensuring the effective implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of the EDI Policy across all Pint of Science operations.

Chapter Managers (volunteers) are responsible for ensuring that the policy is communicated, understood, and implemented by all involved in Pint of Science events and activities. They must take reasonable steps to prevent discrimination, respond appropriately to any incidents, and support teams to foster inclusive practices.

Organisers (volunteers) are expected to:

  • Uphold the values of the policy in all their activities.
  • Treat all individuals with respect and fairness.
  • Refrain from any discriminatory, harassing, or intimidating behaviour.
  • Report any concerns or incidents to their City Coordinator, Chapter Manager, or the Directors.

Third parties engaging with Pint of Science, including speakers, sponsors, contractors, and attendees, are also expected to adhere to the policy’s principles. Any breaches may result in appropriate action, including termination of involvement with the festival.

4. Grievances and Reporting

Any incidents of discrimination, harassment, or bullying will be taken seriously and investigated promptly.

  • Volunteers should report concerns through their designated manager or directly to the Directors at [email protected].
  • Third parties may also report incidents using the same contact.
  • All reports will be treated sensitively and in line with our grievance and disciplinary procedures.

5. Training and awareness

All volunteers receive EDI training and resources to ensure a shared understanding of our principles and expectations.

6. Monitoring and reviewing

We are committed to continuously improving our EDI practice through regular reviews, collecting feedback, and updating procedures as needed. The policy is supported by the Directors and reviewed periodically to ensure it remains effective, relevant, and legally compliant.

7. Putting EDI into practice

At Pint of Science, we strive to apply our core principles wherever possible to ensure that everyone involved in our festival feels welcomed, respected, and safe.

For example, we use an Inclusivity Checklist (developed with Spread the Word) and an Accessibility Checklist (developed with the University of East Anglia) to help the organisers of our events identify and remove barriers to participation; we regularly gather feedback from volunteers, contributors, and attendees to assess the inclusivity and accessibility of our events and guide improvements; and we are supported by an EDI consultant who provides expert advice and helps address concerns.

 

For questions or feedback on this policy, please contact Dr Athina Frantzana at [email protected]