Oxford
© Keith Barnes/DreamtimeOxford University
Oxford dons are furious that a candidate's "woke score" could be part of the criteria for hiring academics, under new proposals aimed at boosting staff diversity. The university's race equality task force has published a series of recommendations aimed at increasing the number of people it hires from ethnic minority backgrounds.

In a consultation document, seen by The Telegraph, the task force said it was "important to embed EDI" - which stands for equality, diversity and inclusion - into "all recruitment". They went on to recommend that "good citizenship and/or commitment to EDI work" should be an "essential criteria" for applicants in all reward and recognition processes.

This proposal has prompted a backlash from Oxford dons, who fear this would mean they have to give researchers a "woke score" when they apply for a job. A senior don said:
"One of the big issues that may well upset dons is that EDI is meant to be embedded as a criteria when making academic appointments. If we are supposed to pay attention to their EDI - their woke score - does this mean it doesn't matter if they are useless at teaching and research? Or do you now have to get a minimum woke score to get a job?"
The academic explained one of the questions that was suggested as a way to "tease out" a candidate's views on diversity was:
"Can you give me examples on how you have called out these kinds of issues in your previous appointment?

"So you are being interviewed for a job in alchemy, yet you have to go out your way to show you have tried to virtue signal - to an old codger like me it just seems crazy. Do you mark someone down because they haven't jumped on the woke bandwagon?"
Staff and students asked how to increase diversity

The document also says that a "centrally funded pool of trained EDI observers" should be set up to "provide support" to recruitment panels on request.

The task force which published the consultation is co-chaired by Anne Trefethen and Martin Williams, two of the university's pro vice-Chancellors, as well as Prof Patricia Daley, an expert in the human geography of Africa.

Students and staff have been invited to submit their responses to the consultation by Wednesday. The task force will then draw up a university-wide strategy on equality and diversity which they will need to submit to Council - Oxford's governing body - for approval before it can become official university policy.

The document also includes a series of recommendations about how to increase the diversity of its student body. This includes funding a programme of inclusive teaching, curriculum diversification and decolonising activities" across university departments and faculties. It also says the university should come up with a strategy on how to raise awareness about and reduce the incidence of "microaggressions". This could include:
"encouraging individuals to educate themselves on the experiences of others and empowering everyone to become active bystanders when they witness harassment or abuse".
The document also recommends that a programme of training and awareness activities should be rolled out that "go beyond online training". The training would be aimed at ensuring students and academics "continuously learn and better understand microaggressions and stereotypes".

Colleges should be encouraged to offer areas of all-female accommodation "to respect the cultural and religious preferences of some under-represented groups", according to the document.

The race equality task force says their recommendations are aimed at addressing "racial inequalities among staff" as well as barriers for black and minority ethnic students.

It is the latest attempt by the university to boost its diverse credentials. Earlier this year, it emerged that Oxford faculties were lobbying for a "race champion" to be hired to hold their staff to account following Black Lives Matter protests. The position would hold faculties including history, music, and English to account over their failure "to address systemic issues" at Oxford after the death of George Floyd.

An Oxford University spokesman said:
"The race equality task force was established to advance racial equity across the collegiate University."
They also said the document is a consultation rather than an agreed strategy, adding:
"After reviewing staff and student responses we will agree a detailed strategy by the end of the academic year".