Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group to Develop National Anti-Racism Infrastructure minutes: November 2022

Attendees and apologies

• Dr Addy Adelaine, International Social Worker and expert in action research and inclusive accountability
• Tuoyo Ayiku, Head, Heart of Africa charity and manager, Heart in the Community Café
• Jatin Haria, Executive Director, Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights
• Dr Ima Jackson, Co-Chair, Senior Lecturer, Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University
• Monica Lee-McPherson, Head, Scottish Highlands and Islands and Moray Chinese Association (SHIMCA)
• Miura Lima, Youth Advocacy Lead, Intercultural Youth Scotland
• Professor Nasar Meer, Professor of Race, Identity and Citizenship, University of Edinburgh
• Kate Miguda, Dr Ima Jackson’s Mentee
• Adebusola Ramsay, Information Analyst and expert in racialised data
• Dr Mark Wong, Senior Lecturer, Public Policy and Research Methods, Glasgow University 

Apologies

• Moi Ali, author and expert on communications and marketing
• Dr Halima Begum, CEO, Runnymede Trust
• Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Director for London, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
• Dr Gina Netto, Reader, International and Forced Migration, Heriot-Watt University
• Talat Yaqoob, Co-Chair, Independent Consultant and Social Researcher across equalities issues

Scottish Government

• Jeff Macdonald, Secretariat
• Nanjika Nasiiro, Strategic Lead, Race Equality

Items and actions

Key discussion points

The actions from the previous meeting were presented in a visual tracker format and verbally agreed.

Co-Chairs encouraged group member participation in working groups, yet acknowledged the volume of correspondence and requests.

Resourcing and strategic buy in discussion – multi-year funding is required to safeguard relationships and reputation. Transparency is important.

A letter from Ms McKelvie and Ms Robison is in draft and commitment remains – budget allocations are being reviewed across Ministerial Portfolios and once budgets are confirmed, this information can be updated in the letter, before issue.

Infrastructure and Modelling Short Life Working Group (SLWG) – the role of communities in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report was not apparent through a feedback loop. Knowledge about different models is needed in order to resource effectively.

Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR) public panel are to be invited to an Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group to Develop National Anti-Racism Infrastructure (AIGG) pre-data meeting on 6 December 2022. This pre-meeting is to bring together data experts who manage data in order for the AIGG to understand how they engage with ethnicity data. This is to have an opportunity to identify what to discuss when meeting Professor Camara Jones on 8 December 2022.

The meetings with Professor Camara Jones will include the following: AIGG Community researchers, AIGG members, a live steamed/in person seminar and a Scottish Government led meeting, where AIGG members, and other data experts, are welcome to join as observers. Meetings will be hybrid in format – group members are to advise if they wish to attend in person or online.

Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS) – advised young people wouldn’t be able to attend meetings during the day due to school/work commitments, and asked if meetings could be recorded for viewing post-meeting. IYS requested some short life working group meetings be held in the evening in the new year. The youth panel meets at 18:00 on Monday evenings.

Community Research SLWG – presented slides regarding co-producing methodology with community partners, accessibility of materials and clarity of message. A participatory approach is being adopted. Proposed work includes – a video with still graphics, a script to be translated into other languages and a community survey to be issued, with a list of community groups to be retained. Town hall meetings will be conducted and a Community Participatory Action Group (CPAG) will be used, before findings are analysed.

Timelines for research outcomes were discussed at the Community Research SLWG, to examine which research outcomes are achievable in the timeline of proposed work by February 2023.

Translation costs in surveys were discussed – it was highlighted these need to be factored in, rather than asking community members to translate. 

From a Government perspective, it is important the AIGG demonstrate and document the consideration of a range of resourcing options.

A Glasgow/hybrid workshop is planned for 30 November and group members were asked to attend in person where possible.

Actions

• secretariat to liaise with Co-Chairs to ascertain updated group member’s role and title details and update in minutes/group membership going forward

• secretariat to invite Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR) public panel to AIGG pre-data meeting on 6 December 2022
• secretariat to send Professor Camara Jones meeting update to group members to ask which meetings they wish to attend and to confirm their preference (in person or online)
• secretariat to contact Glasgow University to ask if Professor Camara Jones consents to meetings being recorded
• group members to respond to Secretariat by 25 November 2022 to note interest in which meetings interested in attending
• secretariat to liaise with Glasgow University on Monday 28 November 2022 to advise which AIGG members wish to attend Professor Camara Jones meetings in person or online (to aid with room booking)
• to allow recording meetings if permissible, Secretariat to liaise with Dr Mark Wong to coordinate setting up Professor Camara Jones meetings via Dr Mark Wong’s MS Teams account (due to Scottish Government MS Teams having no recording functionality)
• secretariat to ascertain if translation costs are included in the community research survey (including Chinese traditional and simplified characters)