Inclusive student life
The University of Oxford is a place where every student should be safe, welcomed and be able to thrive, whatever their background. We are committed to ensuring our University community is one in which the rights and dignity of all our students and staff are respected.
Freedom of speech is the life-blood of our University and we uphold the right of everyone openly to express their views and opinions, within the limits of the law.
We remain committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Harassment of any kind – whether based on race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic – has no place, and is not tolerated, at Oxford.
The University supports peaceful protest, in line with our commitment to freedom of speech. However, actions which cause substantial disruption to staff or student life or shut down debate, are not acceptable.
Your role and responsibilities as a student
There are simple steps that we can all take to make Oxford a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone. Here is some guidance for you as a student at Oxford:
1. Play your part in making Oxford an inclusive place
We all have a responsibility to contribute to Oxford’s inclusive culture and support our shared commitments. How we speak to and treat one another in academic and social spaces can shape whether people feel able to participate, contribute and belong.
Actions that dismiss, shame, spread rumours, reduce or exclude others, can leave people feeling isolated, misunderstood or unsupported, and less likely to speak up or seek help.
Oxford offers a wealth of opportunities to explore different perspectives and experiences, and to learn from others – with societies, lectures, events and other activities taking place throughout the year.
There is an active community of staff and students striving to make Oxford a more inclusive place. Find out about the work we do across the University. Equality, diversity, and inclusion activities also take place within colleges and departments, and you can check with them to find out more.
You can also get involved with Oxford SU's representative work through engagement with Representative Committees (RepComs) and their Equity and Community Part-Time Officers. These forums are a vital component of how the SU amplifies marginalised students’ voices.
2. Engage thoughtfully with different ideas
During your time at Oxford, you will encounter a variety of views, including some you may find challenging, controversial or uncomfortable. Engaging thoughtfully with different perspectives is an important part of university life: it can broaden understanding, strengthen critical thinking and help us develop the skills to discuss sensitive topics robustly and civilly.
Free speech is the lifeblood of the University. It helps us approach truth and allows us to become better acquainted with the variety of beliefs, theories and opinions in the world. We never prevent speech that is lawful.
We expect all students to be respectful, courteous and considerate to other members of our community at all times, even when they disagree with one another or find other people’s opinions challenging.
Talks and events across Oxford, including the Sheldonian Series, offer opportunities to learn from a variety of academic and other perspectives. Previous events have brought together speakers from a range of fields and viewpoints to exchange ideas about democracy, life, truth, cancel culture, activism and more.
You can find out more about freedom of expression in the University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech, as well as your college’s own policies and procedures. If you are participating in or organising an event, you may also wish to consider the colleges’ guidance on freedom of speech, alongside the Code of Practice requirements for meetings and events.
Debates can be particularly challenging when they relate to ongoing crises and conflicts. There are opportunities through departments and colleges to partner with charities and NGOs to support those affected by global events. You can find out more about Oxford’s approach to global crises on the University website.
3. Disagree well and help build responsible communities
Oxford is a diverse and international community, and disagreement is an inevitable part of learning alongside people with different backgrounds, experiences and beliefs. Handled constructively, disagreement can help us learn, strengthen trust and support an inclusive student community.
How we respond to disagreement matters. Difficult conversations should be approached in ways that support respectful and constructive engagement, recognising that we can all get things wrong or have only part of the picture.
Concerns about someone’s behaviour, conflict or disagreement should not be addressed by encouraging others to exclude or isolate them from Oxford life. Where difficulties arise, there are constructive ways to address concerns and seek support.
Five key principles on how to differ responsibly:
1. Listen first
Try to understand what someone is saying before responding or challenging. Ask questions, listen to different perspectives and make space for others to contribute, even when the subject is complex or contested.
2. Challenge ideas, not people
Focus on the idea, argument or behaviour being discussed rather than making assumptions about someone’s character, identity, intentions or worth. People are more than a single action, statement or viewpoint.
3. Disagree with respect
You can disagree strongly while still being courteous, considerate and fair. Communicate clearly and choose a time, place and tone that help keep conversations thoughtful and constructive.
4. Stay open to learning
We can all get things wrong or have only part of the picture. Approach different views with curiosity, ask questions and be willing to reflect on your own understanding.
5. Choose constructive ways forward
If disagreement becomes difficult, seek support or use appropriate reporting routes where needed rather than excluding or isolating others. You can also ask a member of staff to support or facilitate a conversation if that would help.
4. Understand harassment and how to report it
Harassment can be both physical and verbal, and it may occur both in person and online. Full details of how Oxford prevents and responds to harassment can be found on the University website.
If you have experienced harassment, we are here to support you. Speak to your local Harassment Advisor confidentially (who can offer impartial guidance on the options available to you formally and informally) or seek help and advice from individuals across the University.
Professional support for managing the emotional and psychological impact of harassment is available from the University’s Counselling Service. Independent support with navigating formal reporting and complaint procedures is available from Oxford SU Advice.
Colleges have their own policies, procedures, and sources of support. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their college for further guidance and to familiarise themselves with college-specific approaches to harassment and sexual misconduct.
All students starting a course at Oxford are required to complete the University's Harassment and Sexual Misconduct online training course before registration. Continuing students are strongly encouraged to complete it.
5. Know your responsibilities
Oxford will not tolerate any form of harassment, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, or hate directed towards any faith, race, nationality, ethnic group, or any other protected characteristic at the University. Students are expected to follow University and college standards of conduct, and to be governed by those standards when disagreements or conflicts arise.
Breaching Equality and Harassment policies or University statutes can lead to disciplinary action and harm the wellbeing of other members of the University.
Learn about how the University understands antisemitism, drawing upon the working definition outlined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). The work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, the UK Government’s non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hostility, and the Runnymede Trust provide helpful overviews of Islamophobia.
You should also be aware of and adhere to specific standards of conduct outlined in the Student Handbook, code of conduct, and student social media guidance.
6. Get support if you need it
We understand that university life can be challenging, and we encourage you to seek support if you need it. Some discussions can feel uncomfortable, especially if they relate to issues connected to protected characteristics or personal experience.
There are various welfare services available to provide you with confidential and free support, as well as independent Oxford SU Advice.
Your college welfare team may also offer additional services, and we recommend contacting them first. You can also approach your college tutor or college advisor for pastoral guidance. If you don’t have a college, your department should have a welfare contact.
Further sources of support can also be sought from outside of the University:
The Community Security Trust (CST) has resources on its social channels, including guidance on antisemitism.
Tell Mama is a confidential support service for those suffering from anti-Muslim hate and discrimination across the UK.
The University and colleges work closely together in support of these aims. In addition to this University guidance, you should be aware of your college’s own policies, procedures and sources of support.