How are universities supporting community cohesion in and beyond higher education?

In May, UUK and the University of Westminster held a summit on community cohesion in higher education and beyond. The event brought together leaders from the higher education sector as well as representatives from sector bodies, community and third sector organisations. Together, they shared their experiences and expertise on community cohesion to learn from each other. This included drawing on the sector’s experience over the last couple of years as campus tensions have increased following the escalation of global conflicts.  

This piece sets out some of the key takeaways from the event.

Supporting staff and students to feel that they belong at their university is essential, particularly in times of heightened tension or when emotive issues come to the forefront of campus debate and dialogue. Alongside enabling lawful, peaceful protest, which universities have a long history of doing, universities also have a role to play in centering dialogue about difficult issues to help increase understanding.  

Speakers at our event reflected on the importance of creating spaces for people to express their views, including spaces where senior leaders directly engage with and actively listen to views. In the creation of these spaces, speakers noted the importance of acknowledging the emotional weight of these moments and listening to a diversity of perspectives.  

Facilitating dialogue is helpful not just in times of crisis but as part of the everyday activity of the university. Open conversations can help to build high trust partnerships between the university, its staff and students, which can then support the effective management of difficult issues when they do arise.    

Universities are also supporting this sense of belonging via their written communications with staff and students, including: 

• Giving careful consideration to how messages are communicated, ensuring they are clear and empathetic
• Emphasising the importance of freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law for all, even those whose views one may not agree with
• Signposting to reporting processes and wellbeing support provided by the university.  

Attendees reflected that when problems do arise, it’s vital that universities take decisive action. Data from organisations such as Tell MAMA and the Community Security Trust show that, as in wider society, there has been an increase in both anti-Muslim hatred and antisemitism on campuses over the last few years following the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7 and Israel’s military response. On this, speakers reflected on the importance of building knowledge through training and education for students on racial and religious hatred, as well as including those with lived experience in the development of training.  

Speakers reflected on the importance of intersectional approaches. For example, this may include providing tailored support for Muslim women students and staff, who are often targeted with anti-Muslim hate, such as providing safe, accessible reporting mechanisms without fear of being stigmatised. 

At the summit, speakers also discussed the importance of effective handling of ‘low-level’ incidents, like those which do not cross legal boundaries but may create an exclusionary environment for students or staff with particular characteristics. For example, in the case of Jewish staff and students, this could include being unable to access kosher food, or meetings taking place on Friday afternoons.

Academic freedom and freedom of speech are central to universities’ core purpose, and universities have legal duties to uphold them, which they take extremely seriously. As part of this, universities have to navigate complex situations where freedom of speech and harassment may be in tension. In some cases, they may be two sides of the same coin, where what is considered to be an expression of free speech by one person is experienced by another person as harassment. 

Universities are constantly carefully considering how to balance freedom of speech with the need to address harassment . Speakers at our event reflected on important aspects of this approach, including: 

• Ensuring consistency across the institution, including in decision making, for example through providing guidance and training for relevant staff members
• Close partnership working across the university and with students’ unions
• Being clear about instances where lawful speech may be proportionately limited (eg where there is disruption to learning and teaching) 

As well as supporting community cohesion in their own communities, universities have a vital role in supporting community cohesion in their local areas. Universities are at the heart of their communities and therefore at the heart of providing solutions to challenges such as the decline in community infrastructure and the rise of loneliness, isolation and mistrust. To help tackle these societal problems, universities work in close partnership with local government, third sector organisations and community organisations to contribute to the wellbeing, resilience and cohesion of their local communities.  

This role takes many forms – from co-created projects with local art institutions to convening community dialogue, supporting people out of unemployment, and many more. In all the forms it takes, speakers reflected on this as an important duty and responsibility for universities, with a proactive approach being highlighted as vital as well as responding to issues that arrive at universities’ doors.