Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Heritage for All

David Livingstone Birthplace (DLB) wishes to secure genuine equity of opportunity in all aspects of its activities. This applies to job applicants, employees, volunteers, trustees and users of our services.

DLB is the only small independent museum in Scotland that is dedicated to preserving the legacy of David Livingstone and examining his work within the complex and painful realities of slavery, colonialism, and Nineteenth Century European attitudes about African people and community groups.

This puts the museum in a unique position to be central to discussions around Scotland’s role in slavery and colonisation and how that is represented both in our interpretation of David Livingstone’s story and the objects we hold within the museum. We embrace that position, and are committed to challenging unconscious bias, privilege, apathy and ignorance in all areas of our organisation. We consider all of this in relation to understanding Scottish heritage, missionary work, colonial history, and specifically with regard to the untold and contested narratives of Black History.

What are we doing to promote equality, diversity and inclusion?

DLB have been working with the West of Scotland Regional Equality Council (WSREC) to improve diversity in every aspect of the work we do. We have undertaken a new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and developed a strategic Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan for the next two years (2021-2023), with structured activities planned across all areas of the organisation.

It is our vision that the key recommendations for activities, included in the Action Plan below, are those which will be the most impactful in supporting us to become immediately more inclusive as an organisation. This is not an exhaustive list and, in due course, further activities may be added. The action plan will undergo ongoing evaluation, and will be adapted and added to accordingly. However, this serves to identify the most significant areas to address. Further to this, our new Policy for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion will be central to the delivery of all areas of our work.

We have noted 3 key areas of work which we are keen to address, each of which you can find more about in our full EDI Action Plan for 2021-2023:

Strand 1 - People

Aim - Ensure that the people involved in our organisation better reflect the communities with whom we work, and that our working culture is inclusive, enabling us to welcome a diverse range of perspectives and recruit from the widest pool of talent.

Strand 2 - Community

Aim - Ensure that our work relates to a diverse range of people and is delivered in inclusive ways with the aim of strengthening our partnerships with diverse communities.

Strand 3 - Place

Aim - Ensure that our museum is a welcoming place for all and is a safe space which emphasises inclusivity and accessibility. Our strategy for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Our strategy for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

Key Resources

DLB has implemented its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and Action Plan in accordance with current legislation and codes of practice. For groups seeking to do something similar, helpful information can be sourced from:

We have sought knowledge and inspiration from numerous sources in developing our new EDI Policy and Action Plan and have included some particularly helpful resources and case studies below. Please note that DLB bears no responsibility for these external sites and their inclusion below does not constitute an endorsement of every aspect of the content.

Open Up - Case studies to support museums to increase the diversity of their visitors http://www.openupmuseums.com/case-studies-other-resources/

Museums Association

This page includes:

Case Studies
Podcasts and Radio
Resources (including articles, blogs, examples and research papers)
Video hub

Museums Association

See Power and Privilege in the 21st Century Museum and this page includes:

Report: Power and Privilege in the 21st Century Museum (PDF)

Northumbria University

Whose Heritage? symposium. This page includes:

Museum Galleries Scotland – Empire, Slavery and Scotland Museums Project

This project, sponsored by the Scottish Government, will explore how Scotland's museums can contribute to our understanding of the legacies of chattel slavery, empire and colonialism.

Museums Galleries Scotland | Empire, Slavery & Scotland's Museums

Museums Galleries Scotland | Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Scottish Heritage

Historic Environment Scotland – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

HES have a useful webpage which enables visitors to find out what they are doing to reach and represent people of different backgrounds, perspectives and needs in our work.

Equality, diversity and inclusion | Historic Environment Scotland

Scottish Civic Trust – Diverse Heritage

The Diverse Heritage project works with minority-ethnic, LGBTQIA+ and disabled people, people with intersectional identities, and new arrivals in Scotland, who are underrepresented and underserved by built and cultural heritage. The project aims to encourage active participation and co-production and to ensure that diversity is recognised and celebrated and Scotland’s historic places are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive for everyone. Diverse Heritage - Scottish Civic Trust - see www.scottishcivictrust.org.uk.

The Colonial Countryside Project

“Colonial Countryside is a child-led writing and history project exploring the African, Caribbean and Indian connections at 11 of our properties. Collaborating with Dr Corinne Fowler at the University of Leicester, we hope to inspire a new generation of young advocates for talking about colonial history” Colonial Countryside project | National Trust About the project | Colonial Countryside | University of Leicester