Conflict in Israel and Gaza: A message from the Vice-Chancellor
In recent days, I have spoken to students and staff who are personally affected by the conflict in Israel and Gaza and by heightened tensions across many communities. This is a long running and complex issue affecting many people and testing world diplomacy to its maximum.
I have offered support and will continue to listen to all associated with our University.
We share a common and profound concern for the loss of life and injuries to people experiencing this terrible conflict.
I know that for many in our community this is a deeply distressing time. I want to assure you that our top priority is to keep all students and staff safe and ensure your wellbeing on campus. This requires all of us to act respectfully and compassionately towards others, especially those with whom you might have differences. As a university we will not tolerate antisemitism, Islamophobia, or any form of racism, hate crime, harassment, or discrimination here. This also extends into the digital world, including social media.
We recognise that members of our diverse community will hold different perspectives but as a university our responsibility is to ensure we maintain an environment where staff and students can feel safe and comfortable to express lawful opinions.
A range of support is available to anyone who feels they need it.
If you have experienced or witnessed a hate incident, discrimination, bullying, or sexual violence, please use the Report and Support tool to report it. We will act on it and bring in other parties (e.g. the police) where relevant.
Please feel confident to reach out if you need support.
Professor David Maguire
Vice-Chancellor
UK Top 25 (Complete University Guide 2023) and UK Top 30 (The Times/Sunday Times 2024)
UK Top 20 for research quality (Times Higher Education Rankings for the Research Excellence Framework 2021)
World Top 50 (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023)
World Top 100 for research citations (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023)
Athena SWAN Silver Award Holder (since 2019) in recognition of advancement towards gender equality for all (Advance HE)
Published: