A new northern network, to equip policymakers at every level with suitable information, tools and approaches to respond to racial inequalities, will get underway in Lancaster next month.

Lancaster University lecturer Dr Dayo Eseonu is all set to launch the Racial Equity in Policy Network (REiPN) on July 4 in the Lancaster Suite at Lancaster Castle (10am to noon followed by networking lunch).

The network will suggest ways in which policy makers from all sectors can come together to share challenges to addressing racial inequalities and potential ways forward.

It is open to all policymakers - anyone responsible for formulating, amending and implementing public policy across policy areas such as employment, housing, health and education - across the North of England.

The REiPN will provide opportunities for members to:

• Learn about up-to-date academic research on topics relating to racial equity/justice and,
• Learn from each other about opportunities/challenges for addressing racial inequalities through policy.

And network meetings will be held quarterly with regular discussions via a LinkedIn group.

“This policy engagement initiative will convene a space for policymakers/service providers from all policy areas to discuss how to use policy to address racial inequalities,” explains Dr Eseonu, a Lecturer in Politics and Policy at Lancaster University.

“The Evidence for Equality National Survey – the largest and most comprehensive report to document the lives of adult ethnic and religious minorities in Britain – found that racial inequalities remain for a wide range of economic, social and health outcomes such as being more likely to be in precarious employment and live in overcrowded housing.

“In addition, the Child of the North report found that more than one in five children in the North are from an ethnic minority background, and are more likely to live in a deprived area than their counterparts in the rest of England.

“In the past, government responses to evidence of racial inequalities have been to set up commissions and inquiries, which provide policy recommendations that are yet to be implemented.

“We need a different approach, one that allows these policy recommendations to be taken up in places across the North of England.”

For more information on how to contact or join the network: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/ppr/racial-equity-in-policy-network/ and for policymakers to book a place at the network’s launch event, register here.