Northumbria University have volunteered to work in partnership with the English higher education regulator, the Office for Students (OfS) to support their research aiming to understand students’ experiences of sexual misconduct in higher education.
The findings of the research will help to inform how they regulate universities to protect students against this issue. You can find out more about their work in this area on their website: www.officeforstudents.org.uk/StudentSafety.
You will shortly be invited to take part in the OfS Sexual Misconduct Pilot Survey. This research study is being carried out by IFF Research on behalf of the OfS.
This study is vital to understand students’ experiences of sexual misconduct and this information will be used to help inform the OfS’s approach to tackling sexual misconduct in higher education.
The survey will ask about any sexual experiences you may have had that were unwanted. IFF Research are interested in all experiences – whether they have happened in connection with your university or at other times and places in your life since you became a student.
The invitation email will come from OfS_SMSurvey@iffresearch-dm.com and will have the subject line ‘Have your say in the Office for Student’s Sexual Misconduct Pilot Survey’ or ‘Student’s experiences of sexual misconduct: take part in the survey’. This email will be sent out at the end of September, and you will have until the start of November to complete the survey. It will also include a website link and your unique access code which you will need to complete the survey online. Reminder emails will also be sent to those who have not completed the survey during the fieldwork period.
The survey is entirely optional, and you do not have to share anything you don’t want to.
What do I do if I don’t want to be contacted about this survey?
If you would prefer not to be contacted about this research, please email OfS_SMSurvey@iffresearch.com or call IFF Research free on 0800 0147 350.
How will my data be stored and used?
IFF Research will store all of your data securely and will confidentially and securely dispose of your personal information and survey responses after the close of the research project. Survey responses sent to the OfS will have any details that could be used to identify you removed and your contact details will not be shared with the OfS or any third parties.
The results of the pilot survey will be primarily used for internal analysis. IFF Research and the OfS may publish a summary of their findings aggregated at a high level. The results for each university will be shared in a way that takes steps to ensure the confidentiality of the respondents.
If you would like to see IFF Research’s full privacy notice you can find it on their website: Privacy policy | IFF Research. You can also access the OfS’ privacy notice here: Privacy notice for the sexual misconduct pilot survey (officeforstudents.org.uk).
Where can I go if I have more questions?
More information, including details about how your data will be used, is available at https://sexualmisconductsurvey.com/. If you would like to contact the Office for Students about this research, please e-mail smsurvey@officeforstudents.org.uk.
Thank you in advance for your valuable contribution to the survey.
Page last updated 18/03/26
