Professor Nick Braisby, Vice-Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University, responds to a report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), published today, examining racial harassment in higher education.

"The University welcomes the EHRC report and is committed to acting on its recommendations to ensure that our students feel confident to report any racial harassment without fear of repercussion.

“We will not tolerate any racism or discrimination against our students and staff.

“Bucks is a University that cherishes diversity. We have higher proportions of BAME students and staff than the university sector as a whole, and one of the lowest BAME attainment gaps in the sector. The 2020 Good University Guide recognised our strength, ranking us in the top 20 in the UK for social inclusion.

“I’m proud to be part of a new advisory group to Universities UK which is developing practical guidance for universities on preventing and responding to all forms of racial harassment experienced by staff and students.

“Bucks New University sees the work of the advisory group as vital in helping all universities better serve the needs of their students and staff and we are committed to supporting this work and acting fully on the recommendations it makes.

“We are also committed to meeting our social and ethical commitments and will continue to lead by example, creating a University community in which all our students feel their voice is heard and where there are formal and informal ways to report any type of harassment.”