Tackling racial harassment: Universities challenged
Published on 1 January, 2019.
We need to support our brightest minds to work collaboratively across disciplines, solve global challenges and find new ways forward, but this innovation and forward thinking has not been used to solve the challenge of racial harassment. Racism should not be tolerated on campus. Sadly, this report reveals that racial harassment is a common occurrence for many students and staff in British universities. The effects are seriously damaging to individuals and our society. Students with huge potential are being left behind, with their grades suffering, a negative impact on their mental health and, in some cases, not finishing their course at all. For ethnic minority staff, being excluded and marginalised, overlooked for professional development, and facing hostile comments and stereotyping are an all-too-common experience. Senior academic staff who are vital to a university’s reputation and funding are sometimes seen as untouchable, leaving their behaviour unchallenged. Microaggressions are often shrugged off and harassment brushed under the carpet, forcing some staff to leave their jobs.