Meritocracy is the belief that people should achieve a status (e.g. be chosen for a position) based on their abilities rather than wealth or family connections. Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) activities strive to level the playing field so that meritocracy can work. In higher education, so much of what we do is centered on the idea of enabling and promoting meritocracy. According to meritocratic principles, students’ grades should reflect the quality of their achievements, not their backgrounds. Staff promotions should reflect the work they have carried out, not their standing within the university hierarchy. But is this a workable, or even an ideal principle?