Social Mobility and the Equalities Act. - Should this unseen prejudice become a protected characteristic

Inequalities and inequities have come under the lens in this recent time of global stress. As we gradually arrive to a post-pandemic era, we know that coming from an ethnic minority is linked to poor health outcomes. We know that social mobility affects people’s lives in fundamental ways and, we know people from ‘lower’ socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to be at risk, disenfranchised and unprotected.

Social mobility is the potential for individuals to achieve success regardless of their backgrounds and is perceived as a measure of a fair society which rewards merit and hard work.

Notably the Sutton Trust’s 2019 report on social mobility describes society in the UK as “low and not improving”.

As part of post-pandemic repositioning, psychology, along with many other scientific professions, has been revealed as a middle-class profession that presents a multitude of barriers for people who come from more diverse backgrounds.

Whether they wish to study or progress through various levels of the profession, social mobility is an affecting factor that often determines the outcome.

People and the study of people sits at the heart of psychology, so we want to ask:

- Where is psychology now?

- Are we ready for change?

What protection is there for people affected by lesser social mobility and the intersecting issues?

Is now the time that the debate around The Equalities Act and who it protects crystallises, in order to create real change and ensure the Equalities Act protects the most vulnerable in the society we find ourselves in today?

Panellists are:

Jennifer Nadel, Director of Compassion in Politics 

Jennifer is a qualified barrister, author speaker, campaigner and award winning journalist. She’s reported for the BBC, Channel 4 and ITN from around the world, and was one of the UK’s most senior female television correspondents as ITV’s Home Affairs Editor. Jennifer provides training for individuals and NGO’s on compassion and Nine principles for a Happier Life

Dr Bridgette Rickett, Head of Psychology at Leeds Beckett University 

Bridgette has also been the Chair of the Psychology of Women section at the BPS and is leading the BPS position paper on the psychological evidence for the inclusion of Social class/inequities as a protected characteristic in a revised UK Equality Act. Dr Rickett leads a number of research projects including ‘Social Class, Gender and Belonging in UK HE’ and Healthcare Experiences and accounts of gender diverse children and young people in the UK. In addition Bridgette is leading a UK national team of Psychology of Social Class researchers and practitioners to centre social class and social (In0equalities within psychology.

Dr Matt Easterbrook, Senior Lecturer at the University of Sussex

Dr William Palmer, Senior Fellow at Nuffield Trust 

William has produced reports on the health service for Parliament for over a decade and was a visiting research fellow at the Brocher Fodundation, Geneva. Billy has a PhD in health research from Imperial College, London where he currently holds an Honorary Research Fellowship and he also has master’s degrees in mathematics and global politics.

Dr Nasreen Fazal-Short, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Chair of the Presidential Taskforce for Diversity and Inclusion at the BPS

Nasreen is a Consultant clinical psychologist who works in independent practice. Dr Fazal-Short has been a director of psychological series in the NHS. Nasreen is passionate about inclusive practice and chaired one of the series of webinars by the BPS Presidential Taskforce on Diversity and Inclusion called Talking about Class in psychology; the seen and unseen