Higher education providers across the UK are responding to the findings of today's Equality and Human Rights Commission report Tackling racial harassment: universities challenged
The report published today showed a quarter of minority ethnic students across UK higher education described having experienced racial harassment since the start of their course. The University of Cambridge's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Institutional and International Relations Professor Eilís Ferran acknowledged the need for all universities to engage with the report's findings.
She said: "This is an important report that has brought into focus the urgent need to address the issues university staff and students are facing, ranging from direct prejudice to micro-aggressions.
“There is no place for racism or racial harassment of any kind at collegiate Cambridge and we have been working closely with staff, students and our Race Equality Champions to embed a culture of inclusion and mutual respect.
“We are determined to have the right culture at Cambridge and have put in place a wide-ranging series of initiatives to equip staff and students with the confidence to talk about race, and identify and challenge racism whenever they encounter it.
“This work includes the development of race awareness training for teaching and support staff, inclusive teaching practices and recruitment guidelines, reverse-mentoring schemes and work to diversify the curriculum.
“We will continue to work with partners across the higher education sector, having signed up to the UUK/NUS 'closing the gap' pledge to tackle attainment gaps. Additionally, we have created a race equality action plan as part of our Race Equality Charter application that commits universities to improving the representation, progression and success of BME staff and students.
"We'll be reviewing the findings of the new report in detail and will continue to work with our students and staff to create an environment where they feel safe, and supported to do their best work.”