24 July 2012

Challenging inequality in publishing

Equip to encourage participation in publishing from underrepresented groups

City University London, with funding from Arts Council England, will lead the second phase of a

major initiative which aims to promote the status and contribution of groups traditionally

underrepresented within the publishing industry.

Equality in Publishing (Equip), will conduct leading-edge research and host a series of national

events promoting publishing as a career, and discussing issues surrounding equality in the

industry. The organisation will also oversee the launch of the Publishing Equalities Charter, a

landmark four-point plan that commits publishers to complete two actions related to equality and

diversity per year, which will be the first scheme of its kind in the creative sector.

Equip has joined City University London’s Department of Creative Practice and Enterprise and be

led by Bobby Nayyar, as Research Fellow; and Mary Ann Kernan, Head of City University’s Centre

for Creative Writing, Translation and Publishing, as Principal Investigator.

Professor Stephen Cottrell, Head of the Department of Creative Practice and Enterprise at City

University London, observed:

“We are delighted to welcome Equip to City University London because of its important

contribution to diversifying the workforce in the publishing sector. Equip’s work aligns

strongly with the Department’s expertise in the cultural and creative industries, both in

researching the cultural workforce and delivering professional development through our

taught programmes.”

David Cross, London Director, Literature (Acting), Arts Council England, commented:

“We are committed to promoting equality within the publishing industry, Equip is perfectly

placed to deliver this ambition. Having an arts workforce that is diverse and highly skilled

will promote new ideas and perspectives, enabling it to reach its potential. We are confident

that the team in place at City University London will ensure Equip becomes a powerful

force for change.”

Equip will hold its first networking event on the evening of Wednesday 19th September at City

University London. For more information please contact bobby.nayyar.1@city.ac.uk or visit

www.equalityinpublishing.org.uk.

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Notes to Editors:

City University London

City University London is an international University with a commitment to academic excellence, a focus on

business and the professions and a central London location. It is placed in the top 5% of universities around

the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2010-11 and is ranked in the top 30 UK

higher education institutions by the Times Higher Education Table of Tables 2011.

The University's Student Centre holds the 2011 Times Higher Education Leadership & Management Award

for Outstanding Student Services Team. City is a broadly-based University with world leading strengths in

business; law; engineering and mathematical sciences; informatics; health sciences and the arts including

journalism and music.

The University attracts over 21,000 students from more than 160 countries and academic and professional

staff from over 50 countries. City University London's predecessor, the Northampton Institute, was founded

in 1894. City will celebrate its first half century as a University in 2016.

Arts Council England

Arts Council England champions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich

people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to

digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us,

brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better.

Between 2011 and 2015, we will invest £1.4 billion of public money from government and an estimated £1

billion from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the

country.

Equip background

Equip’s 2012–13 funding from ACE will enable it to build on the achievements of Dipnet since 2004. Dipnet

was established in 2004 by two publishing professionals, Alison Morrison and Elise Dillsworth, in response to

the Decibel In Full Colour report, which highlighted the significant under representation of Black and Minority

Ethnic (BME) professionals in the publishing industry. Beginning as a membership organisation with support

from publishing houses, professionals and artists, the organisation provided mentors to 11 trainees under an

ACE-managed scheme in 2005–7. From 2006–12, Dipnet was managed by the charity Booktrust. During this

time a new Dipnet website was launched (www.dipnet.org.uk), which was free to join and gained over 1,000

members within one year. Support was offered to four additional trainees on shorter, three-month

traineeships. Events to promote careers in publishing were also organised in partnership with universities

including Kingston University and the University of East London, and at high-profile events in 2011 at

Stationers’ Hall and the London Book Fair.