Northumbria
University is working closely with students to create new and
innovative projects to counter religion-based hate crime and harassment, thanks
to new funding from the Office for Students (OfS).
The funding
comes after 2016’s ‘Changing the Culture’ report by the Universities UK
Harassment Task Force explored the nature and scale of student safeguarding
issues in higher education, and highlighted a need for institutions to respond
more effectively. Northumbria is one of 11 universities across the UK to have
received a share of the £484,000 funding and will now work closely with
students and partners to tackle religion based hate crime, as part of a
national collaborative network managed by the OfS.
The projects
will be developed and delivered with students and cover a wide range of
activity including training, raising awareness, digital innovation, and new
approaches to prevention and reporting, which are specific to tackling
religion-based hate crime. Professor Mike Rowe, from the Department of Social
Sciences, will be overseeing Northumbria’s activity.
“We are delighted
that Northumbria is working with the Office for Students and other universities
to address problems of religiously-motivated hate crime on campus,” Mike said.
“Our project
involves us working closely with students to better understand the nature of
their experiences and to develop support for those directly affected. More
widely, we will be developing ‘myth-busting’ materials around religious faith
that will be used to promote a climate in which free and open debate can be had
about sensitive matters but in a manner that is respectful of different
religious perspectives.
“We want to
help create an environment in which respect for students and staff who have
religious faith, and those who have none, is fundamental and to reconcile this
with principles of free speech, dialogue and debate that are at the heart of
university education.
“Much of what
we will be doing will be based directly on work with our students, including
those from overseas, and with our colleagues to help create learning and
teaching materials that can boost understanding about different religious
faiths and promote dialogue among our communities. In addition, it is exciting
that we will be contributing to a network of colleagues from across the country
to shape good practice in the sector more widely.”
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The OfS Chief
Executive, Nicola Dandridge, said: “All students should feel safe and supported
during their time in higher education so that they can continue with their
learning and realise their potential. Universities are making progress in
tackling the issues of hate crime and harassment on campus, but there is much
more to be done.
“With student
safeguarding and wellbeing a priority for the OfS, we are delighted to fund
this network of new projects to tackle these issues. We will make sure that good practice and
successful outcomes over the coming months are shared widely so that students
across the country can benefit from this important initiative.”
Universities
Minister Sam Gyimah said: “Our universities should be free of any form of
hatred or discrimination – students have the right to feel safe and
valued – so I’m delighted that this funding will be used to help tackle
religion-based hate crime and harassment.
“The OfS was
set up to champion students and it’s right that they are working
closely with, and funding, universities to tackle important issues they face. I
am taking a keen interest in the progress of this work.”
Northumbria's outstanding Student Support and Welfare team offers advice and guidance to all of our students, including access to 24/7 information, advice and support through our Ask4Help service and specialist support through our professional counselling and mental health team. To access these services please visit Student Support and Wellbeing, visit Student Central email Ask4Help@northumbria.ac.uk / call 0191 227 4646 or for more information click here.
