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Multi-Faith in Policy Only? Religion and Belief Inequalities at UK Universities since the Equality Act

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Title: Multi-Faith in Policy Only? Religion and Belief Inequalities at UK Universities since the Equality Act
Language: English
Authors: Kristin Aune (ORCID 0000-0001-5951-9526), Tom Fryer (ORCID 0000-0003-0694-3504), Lucy Peacock (ORCID 0000-0002-2873-9849), Mathew Guest (ORCID 0000-0003-1806-593X)
Source: British Journal of Sociology of Education. 2026 47(3):423-443.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Universities, Higher Education, Educational Legislation, Federal Legislation, Equal Education, Religion, Diversity, Educational Policy, Program Implementation, Intergroup Relations, Attitude Measures, Religious Discrimination, World Views
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
DOI: 10.1080/01425692.2025.2557570
ISSN: 0142-5692
1465-3346
Abstract: The Equality Act 2010 requires universities to eliminate harassment, ensure equality of opportunity and promote good relations for those of different religious or philosophical beliefs. The attention universities give to these obligations vary. This article analyses survey data from 4,618 students to examine religion and belief-related experiences and inequalities in universities in relation to the Equality Act's three foci: eliminating harassment; equal opportunities; and good relations. The article adopts the lens of equality/inequality, assessing differences between religious groups and types of university, and draws upon Ahmed's and Elgström's work on the complexity of equality policy implementation to account for the endurance of religion and belief-related inequalities. Despite the positioning of 'religion or belief' as a protected characteristic and diversity-friendly language such as 'multi-faith', inequalities remain, with religious students and students at certain types of university, especially vulnerable to unequal treatment compared to their peers.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502825
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Multi-Faith in Policy Only? Religion and Belief Inequalities at UK Universities since the Equality Act
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kristin+Aune%22">Kristin Aune</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5951-9526">0000-0001-5951-9526</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tom+Fryer%22">Tom Fryer</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0694-3504">0000-0003-0694-3504</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lucy+Peacock%22">Lucy Peacock</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2873-9849">0000-0002-2873-9849</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mathew+Guest%22">Mathew Guest</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1806-593X">0000-0003-1806-593X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22British+Journal+of+Sociology+of+Education%22"><i>British Journal of Sociology of Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 47(3):423-443.
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: 21
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Universities%22">Universities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Legislation%22">Educational Legislation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Federal+Legislation%22">Federal Legislation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Equal+Education%22">Equal Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Religion%22">Religion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Diversity%22">Diversity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Policy%22">Educational Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Implementation%22">Program Implementation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intergroup+Relations%22">Intergroup Relations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attitude+Measures%22">Attitude Measures</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Religious+Discrimination%22">Religious Discrimination</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22World+Views%22">World Views</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom%22">United Kingdom</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/01425692.2025.2557570
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  Data: 0142-5692<br />1465-3346
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The Equality Act 2010 requires universities to eliminate harassment, ensure equality of opportunity and promote good relations for those of different religious or philosophical beliefs. The attention universities give to these obligations vary. This article analyses survey data from 4,618 students to examine religion and belief-related experiences and inequalities in universities in relation to the Equality Act's three foci: eliminating harassment; equal opportunities; and good relations. The article adopts the lens of equality/inequality, assessing differences between religious groups and types of university, and draws upon Ahmed's and Elgström's work on the complexity of equality policy implementation to account for the endurance of religion and belief-related inequalities. Despite the positioning of 'religion or belief' as a protected characteristic and diversity-friendly language such as 'multi-faith', inequalities remain, with religious students and students at certain types of university, especially vulnerable to unequal treatment compared to their peers.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1502825
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 21
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Universities
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      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
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      – SubjectFull: Program Implementation
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      – SubjectFull: Intergroup Relations
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      – SubjectFull: Attitude Measures
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      – SubjectFull: Religious Discrimination
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      – SubjectFull: World Views
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      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom
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      – TitleFull: Multi-Faith in Policy Only? Religion and Belief Inequalities at UK Universities since the Equality Act
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