Together Against Racism
Our anti-racism campaign is based on, and has been developed in response to, the real and lived experiences of members of our community.
For a University which prides itself on being an inclusive community, these experiences are totally unacceptable.
This campaign aims to help you:
- Feel confident when reporting issues of racism and racial injustice. If you experience or witness racial harassment, report it online.
- Learn more about racism and microaggressions.
- Understand how you can be an ally to colleagues and peers.
Racism cannot have a place at UofG. We must all take a stand.
CONTENT ADVISORY: RACIAL HARASSMENT
Our video introducing the 'Together Against Racism' campaign. Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Rachel Sandison and Uzma Khan explain why we all need to play our part in it.
- You can also: read the introductory statements from this video
Support our campaign: download learning resources, share our campaign messages
Share the campaign (UofG login needed)
Download 'Together Against Racism' resources and help us spread the message, including:
- email footers
- social media headers
- posters
- videos
- GIFs and MP4 assets
Recognising and reporting racism
How to report racial harassment
We recognise that some students and colleagues will experience harassment and/or bullying on our campuses.
We would encourage you to report this so it can be investigated, and you can be supported.
We recognise that not everyone is comfortable with reporting, and therefore the student and the colleague systems in place allow for you to raise any issues anonymously. This will limit any investigation, but ensure the University is fully aware of the incidents occurring within our community.
Guidance and forms for reporting racial harassment
Someone may report racial harassment to you
There is guidance to follow if you receive a report of racial harassment from a colleague, a team member, or a student.
Guidance if you receive:
Understanding microaggressions
What is a microaggression?
Racial microaggressions are everyday interactions that send demeaning messages that have a racial element to them. They can take many forms, such as offensive questions, stereotypes, ‘banter’ and ‘jokes’.
Compared to more obvious forms of racism, racial microaggressions are subtle and offensive. They can leave the victim confused, distressed, and frustrated.
In many cases, the person who committed the microaggression is oblivious to the offense they have caused. Educating yourself, as well as calling out microaggressions when they happen, are ways we can all help to stop them.
When do microaggressions become racial harassment?
Where there is repetition or escalation of microaggressions by one person on another, the acts may constitute harassment under the terms of the Equality Act (2010).
Definitions of racial harassment and racial microaggressions
- A guide to understanding the differences between racial harassment, racial bullying and racial microaggressions.
Learning resources: Play your part
Allyship
Allyship is a form of solidarity that recognises at the outset that inequality exists in our systems and processes. Those taking up allyship actively support change for a more equal society and workplace.
It is an opportunity for personal growth and community development, as everyone has the capacity to be an ally.
How to be an Active Bystander
- When we respond to unacceptable behaviour, the instigator learns that we will not accept it. When many of us do this, we can change our culture for the better.
Training courses
The University has two online courses available for all staff – they both take about 30 minutes to complete.
- Let’s Talk about Race in the Workplace – Moodle training
- The Effective Bystander – Moodle training
Race Literacy: A Glossary
It is important to have a shared language around basic racial literacy so we can name racism, understand it and then be able to change practice.
To aid your understanding, see this: Race Literacy Glossary
Learning resources from external sources
You may feel this is a challenging topic, and therefore want to look at training and development resources.
Here are some external resources we recommend:
- John Amaechi - Not-racist vs anti-racist: what’s the difference?
- John Amaechi – What is white privilege?
- John Lewis It’s Not OK Video – Microaggressions John Lewis Partnership - It's Not OK - Subtitled - YouTube
- Do the work: an anti-racist reading list by The Guardian
- Race Forward Youtube Channel
- Let’s get to the root of racial injustice | Megan Ming Francis by Tedx Talks
- Understanding Implicit Bias by The Kirwani Institute
- Ten Lessons for Taking Leadership on Racial Equality by The Aspen Institute
- How microaggressions are like mosquito bites. A video created by Fusion Comedy.
- OpenLearn: Introducing Black Leadership
- Santander Open Academy: Union Black Course
Learning resources from the HE sector
- Universities UK: Tackling racial harassment in higher education
- Pearn Kandola: Racism at work webinars
- QAA, Advance HE, SFC: Anti-racist curriculum
- Advance HE/SFC Assets: Tackling racism on campus: Raising awareness and creating the conditions for confident conversations
Networks
The University of Glasgow is committed to race equality and ensuring all students, staff and visitors have a positive experience of the learning, teaching, research and work environment.
UofG Global Majority Staff Network
The UofG Global Majority Network is for all University of Glasgow staff who identify as Black, Asian or as a Minority Ethnic.
The network came together in early 2022, with the aim to provide a welcoming environment where members can:
- Meet regularly to network and organise social events
- Support one another within the University by providing a space for discussing issues which affect them.
- Inform University management with respect to issues which affect them.
- Distribute information about relevant events within and outwith the University.
Student Societies
- There is a vast array of societies at the University which are affiliated with the Students' Representative Council (SRC) Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic student can look through the EDU’s online resources to see where there is support.
- We have an emerging Decolonising the Curriculum Community of Practice, please contact the Equality and Diversity Unit if you would like to join.
The background to 'Together against racism'
Why we need an anti-racism campaign
The University commissioned a report: Understanding Racism, Transforming University Cultures (URTUC).
Learn more about how we plan to tackle racism and racial harassment as part of our effort to address racial inequality.
The story of the UofG Anti-Racist Campaign
Find out how the campaign developed from the outcomes of the Understanding Racism Transforming University Culture (URTUC) report and action plan.
Support the campaign (UofG login needed)
Download 'Together Against Racism' resources