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On demand

Understanding EDI: Essential Principles for Inclusive Practice

Equality, diversity, inclusion and equity affect who can access opportunities, how people are treated, whose perspectives are heard and whether barriers are recognised and addressed.

For people working across the creative, cultural and heritage sectors, these considerations can arise in many different settings: within workplaces and project teams, when recruiting staff or freelancers, while planning activities and programmes, and through interactions with audiences, participants, volunteers and communities.

Understanding EDI in Creative & Cultural Settings provides a practical introduction to the principles, terminology and legal protections that help to support inclusive practice. It explores how discrimination, harassment, unconscious bias and exclusion can appear in everyday situations, while helping you consider what you can do within your own role.

The course combines clear explanations with sector-based examples, interactive activities and opportunities to reflect on your own work. 

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Course Overview

This course is designed to build a clear and practical understanding of EDI without assuming previous knowledge or organisational responsibility.

You will examine common terminology, legal protections and examples from across the creative, cultural and heritage sectors. Rather than looking at EDI only through policies or broad organisational commitments, the course considers how it connects with everyday behaviour, communication, access and decision-making.

Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to think about your own role. This could include how you communicate with colleagues, participants or audiences; how you contribute to recruitment or project delivery; how you respond to access needs; or what you might do if you witness unfair or inappropriate treatment.

The course provides general learning and guidance to support good practice. It does not constitute legal advice.

 

What you’ll learn

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Explain the meanings of equality, diversity, inclusion and equity
  • Recognise the differences and connections between these principles
  • Describe how EDI relates to creative, cultural and heritage practice
  • List the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010
  • Recognise different forms of discrimination, harassment and victimisation
  • Understand how unconscious bias may influence decisions and interactions
  • Identify barriers relating to recruitment, communication, services and accessibility
  • Recognise examples of reasonable adjustments
  • Explain how overlapping identities and circumstances can shape people’s experiences through intersectionality
  • Identify practical actions that are relevant to your own role

 

Who this course is for:

  • Staff at any level
  • Freelancers and self-employed practitioners
  • Artists and creative practitioners
  • Facilitators and project workers
  • Volunteers
  • People working with audiences, participants or communities
  • New starters
  • People who have had limited previous EDI training
  • Organisations looking to provide a shared foundation across a wider team or teams

 

Pricing options:

1 years access for £30

18 months access for £39

This course is brought to you by the expert trainers at Artswork Professional Development, who are proud to share their decades of experience of personal and professional development within the creative, cultural and heritage sectors.

 

Which EDI course is right for you?

Understanding EDI is designed for people who want to strengthen their knowledge, confidence and everyday inclusive practice.

People who manage others or shape organisational policies and strategy may be better suited to Applying EDI: Organisational Practice and Change.

Applying EDI includes the complete Understanding EDI course, followed by additional learning on:

  • Organisational policies and processes
  • Leadership and governance
  • EDI action planning
  • Recruitment, retention and progression
  • Accessible and inclusive programme design
  • Monitoring, evidence and accountability

If you’re unsure which course is the best fit, our free Exploring EDI resource will help you compare the options and choose the most appropriate learning route. You’ll also get a free downloadable EDI guidance resource to keep and refer back to.

Book now on Thinkific

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