BIAJS – EDI policy (text approved at AGM 2023)

The British Association for Jewish Studies (BIAJS) is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within our community, and challenging discrimination.

The aim is for BIAJS to represent all sections of our community, and for all our members to feel respected and be provided with equality of opportunity.

BIAJS will not unlawfully discriminate because of the Equality Act 2010 protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

BIAJS commits to:

  1. Encourage equality, diversity and inclusion in BIAJS activities.
  2. Create a community of Jewish Studies scholars, professionals and students where individuals feel welcome, included, supported and valued. We ask all our members to value the diversity of the BIAJS community, including members of all backgrounds.
  3. Create an environment free of bullying, harassment, victimisation, antisemitism and other types of discrimination, promoting dignity and respect for all, where individual differences and the contributions of all members are recognised and valued.
  4. Take seriously allegations of bullying, harassment, victimisation, antisemitism and other types of discrimination in the course of the association’s activities or connected to its interests. Anyone found to have behaved unacceptably will be the subject of disciplinary action. Fair criticism of staff or student performance or conduct will not be considered to be bullying or harassment, provided that those involved are treated with dignity, courtesy and respect.
  5. Make opportunities for participation in BIAJS events and activities available to all members through regular announcements in the BIAJS newsletter and on the BIAJS website.
  6. Nominate candidates for the Executive Committee in accordance with the BIAJS Constitution.

Ensure that the Executive Committee members:

  • represent a good gender balance
  • represent the full chronological range of Jewish Studies expertise and a variety of disciplinary perspectives
  • include the range of universities in the UK and Ireland, with the principle that each institution be represented no more than once on the Committee at any given time
  1. Support members in the early stages of their career and be inclusive of precariously employed and/or independent scholars.
  2. Promote scholarship and scholars working in the full chronological and global range of Jewish

    Studies expertise, including the comprehensive breadth of Jewish historic and current experiences and identities.

  3. Ensure that the annual conference, including conference panels, reflects the diversity of our community.
  4. Ensure that assessment panels (e.g., for the annual book prizes, essay prizes, REF nominations, studentship awards) reflect the diversity of our community and represent the appropriate range of disciplinary expertise in Jewish Studies, and a range of universities in the UK and Ireland.
  • Produce processes transparent to all our members in making nominations for the REF or other national or international positions, and consult our members in making nominations.
  • Ask all of our members to play their part in supporting BIAJS to promote EDI, and take personal responsibility and accountability for their behaviour, actions and decision-making and the impact they can have on EDI.
  • Review BIAJS policies and update them when necessary to ensure fairness, and take action to address any issues.

If a member has a grievance related to EDI, they should contact the Secretary of BIAJS and the President in the first instance. All those involved should ensure that confidentiality is maintained, for both the complainer and the complainant.