Focus of activity

Professor Rob Pettitt

When looking to address culture change, particularly where progress has been slow in the past, it’s tempting to put all resources into supporting those who have been affected by poor behaviour. While this is important, it’s also key to ensure a good balance of activities takes place across both preventive and reactive areas, incorporating systemic long-term change and more short-term support.

Threaded through our workstreams are three strands of interlinking activity:

1. Promote – what we can do to promote better opportunities and experiences for those from minority groups – eg breaking down systemic barriers, offering proactive and positive support, developing inclusive policies, encouraging and celebrating the positive aspects of diversity – this is where we start to get a more level playing field
2. Understand – what we can do to help everyone understand how their behaviour can impact on other people’s opportunities and experience – training, anti-racism activities, culture change etc. – this is where we help those not in minority groups understand why this is so important and how they can be allies
3. Support – what we can put in place to support those who may be at the sharp end of poor behaviour, such as better reporting lines, safe spaces for conversation, strong lines and policies for organisations to take in the event of something going wrong, how to call out poor behaviour – and a visible commitment to doing this

“We live in a multicultural society and so it is essential that our veterinary profession reflects that diversity. The DIG has a role to identify the issues that currently limit broadening our demographic but policies need the support of the RCVS in order to implement them.”
Rob Pettitt FRCVS
Veterinary Schools Council representative on DIG