Content Advice Guidelines
Introducing Content Advice
The information within this document is here to provide advice and can act as a template as to when and how to implement content advice. Providing a structure of how to approach these kinds of signposts means they can be applied to any educational material which may use language or such themes that may be deemed to induce a negative response to individuals who have been affected by similar experiences and re-induce a traumatic experience. This gives them a chance to mentally prepare for content which may be more difficult. Some of these themes often revolve around racism, homophobia, sexual violence among other sensitive matters.
This set of guidelines will also provide a resource for where to signpost a student for further support if something has affected them in a negative capacity. It is also important to highlight to students who would not necessarily be affected by this to be sensitive around comments made in relation to the material as others may have experienced trauma in the past related to the material.
There are a number of ways to provide content advice, and the cases below are ways which have shown to be useful methods of implementation.
One important thing to note is these topics are labelled as content advice rather than the traditional “trigger warning” terminology, as this has shown to often have a more negative response in reaction and can obscure learning rather than illuminate upon sensitive topics.
Blanket Advice
This advice is most appropriate in a course where the sensitive topics will be taught throughout the entire year and could be highlighted in the induction lectures or the course information document. An example of how to frame blanket advice in the case of a course heavily focused on racism is framed below and can be adapted as appropriate:
The content and discussion in this course will cover themes of racism on a weekly basis. This may be difficult to deal with for some members of the course, but we are keen for everyone to engage. The classroom will be a made a space to engage sensitively and empathetically with this content and any potentially extra sensitive content will be warned about in advance.
In Syllabus
In a syllabus content advice can be used to highlight specific course materials which potentially generate adverse reactions, but also highlights the importance in regards to their education why these topics are included by their very nature. These types of tags for content advice could be placed in the materials section of a course information document or on a Moodle page. An example below shows how these may be structured directly to an example of racism in a text, but can be adapted as required to fit a particular case:
| October 16th | Reading: Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine | CONTENT ADVICE: contains elements of racism and racial violence |
Email Advice
Email advice can be a direct way of informing students of sensitive material. This provides an advance notice of sensitive material arising in course content and can provide a platform for a student to raise concerns if the material may cause a specific personal reaction. An example is shown below in the case of a course with material covering sexual violence:
Dear all,
The upcoming class on “X” on Monday may have sensitive material containing depictions of sexual violence. Being a sensitive issue, this content advice has been issued in order to prepare you for the material, and offer you support to allow you to engage. If you feel you may be particularly affected by this topic, please contact me and this can be discussed in advance of the class.
In Class Content Advice
The option of in class content advice can be approached by two stages as outlined below and is one of the more direct way of highlighting sensitive material in advance. The different approaches are outlined below:
End of class prior to next lecture: The lecturer can highlight the nature of content in the next lecture in order to sign post about it early
Start of class: The point of the sensitive material is reiterated and highlight that if you need to discuss any concerns to talk at the end of a class or in a break
Other Examples of when to use Content Advice
While there are a few examples given already of racism, homophobia and sexual violence, there may be other cases where it is still appropriate to give them.
One may include the aspect of gore/extreme violence within some courses, which may just take a case of forewarning students of the graphic content that this part of the course may contain.
With the university having a positive support for asylum seekers and refugees, it is important to note that some students may have come from war-torn countries, so it is important to note the use of content advice in case of extreme violence in studies looking at war.
The list is not exhaustive and acts more as examples of the type of content to keep a note of, and with the rest of content it is at your individual discretion as to what you feel should be labelled.
Follow-up Support
If a student approaches you with an issue prior to a class or afterwards, some of the resources and numbers below can useful in regards to signposting further support. As a staff member it is not under your responsibility to counsel students, but instead can direct them to the right support. If you believe the student would be supported by further signposting, they can also approach their Advisor.
Sudden attendance changes
If it becomes apparent that a student who regularly would attend lectures suddenly seems to be avoiding a particular topic, it may be sensitive to follow up with an email to the student just to check. It may be a case where they have just missed classes due to other circumstances but it is encouraged to check to ensure the student is not struggling to cope with some of the information on the course.
CaPs and Togetherall
The Counselling and Psychological Services (CaPS) may be a good resource to point the student to if they have suffered trauma in the past as they may require more in depth psychological support. If a student already has provisions in place with support services, it may be easier to encourage them to engage with the service that already knows their situation. The CaPS website also contains links to self-help information and external services covering a variety of support needs.
https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/counselling/
Also pointing out Togetherall as an anonymous platform to get support on a variety of issues and network with people who have faced similar experiences. Students and staff get to use the service for free by signing up with their UofG email address.
https://togetherall.com/en-gb/
Report and Support
The link below can be signposted to students if they need to report a case of bullying, harassment, discrimination or sexual harassment. The link also has options to contact people directly if the student would rather talk to someone in person.
https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/students/safetyhealth/reportandsupport/
SRC Advice Centre
The advice centre can help handle a wide variety of issues and also provide advice to students on where to find further support, and with a gender-based violence first responder on their team are a very useful resource to direct students to. They can be found in the McIntyre building on the ground floor or contacted by the number here 0141 330 5360.
The SRC also has advice and contact on their website for sexual violence including Women’s Aid and male or LGBTQ+ oriented services. These can be found at https://www.glasgowstudent.net/advice/healthsafetywellbeing/sexual-violence
Rape Crisis Scotland
Rape Crisis Scotland have their helpline open seven days a week from 6pm-midnight. They can provide free and confidential initial and crisis support. They can be contact by the number here 08088 01 03 02.