Multi-faith in policy only? Religion and belief inequalities at UK universities since the Equality Act

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 varies. 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.