Dunn School enacts “Power for Good” during Anti-Bullying Week
The Dunn School enacted “Power for Good” – the theme of this year’s anti bullying week – through a series of activities in the department from 14 – 18 November 2016.
Part of a national campaign across England from the Anti-Bullying Alliance, the week built on existing polices and initiatives in the department to help tackle bullying and harassment; issues identified in surveys amongst all sections of the Dunn School community.
Activities and resources included:
-
- A daily email from Head of Department Matthew Freeman discussing the definition of bullying, his commitment to tackling the issue and progress implementing structural and cultural remedies.
-
- A well-attended coffee morning to share views in discussion with Professor Freeman and Athena SWAN* committee members.
-
- An anti bullying display stand, with flyers and “Power for Good” stickers. The flyers produced by the Graduate Students Association included fictionalized (but realistic) case studies drawn up by the Human Resources Manager, Frances Wright, to demonstrate measures the department would take to resolve reported incidents of bullying.
-
- The use of a #NoBulliesinTheDunn social media hash tag.
Commenting on the success of the week, postdoc, Angela Moncada Pazos said: “I think it’s been very positive. I would emphasize two things: Firstly, I have the feeling people now know the department cares about this issue. And secondly, there was a good outcome at the coffee morning on Wednesday – people were really discussing the matter; it has raised awareness and this would be the perfect time to get people further involved.”
Professor Freeman was keen to state activity did not cease at the end of the week:
-
- Members of the department are encouraged to continually provide feedback and ideas.
-
- Group Leaders will discuss bullying and harassment at a special meeting on 16 December.
-
- he Athena SWAN Committee continues to meet termly with responsibility for statistical monitoring of bullying and harassment and oversight of an anti bullying and harassment action plan as part of its wider remit.
-
- A specifically focused bullying and harassment working group (including the Head of Department, Graduate Studies Director, departmental bullying and harassment advisers and representatives of the Graduate Students Association and Postdoc Association) will next meet in the New Year.
-
- A Dunn School policy document on harassment and bullying is available and resources from the week will also be posted on the intranet.
-
- The department is committed to marking the annual anti bullying week on an ongoing basis.
Expressing his deep commitment and motivation to addressing bullying Professor Freeman concluded: “I am confident that the Dunn School will stamp out all bullying, and that it will be a great place to work for everyone. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it will also ensure that everyone can focus on doing the best research and teaching they can.”
Athena SWAN is a national gender equality accreditation scheme for universities and colleges ran by the Equality Challenge Unit. The Dunn School currently holds Silver Award accreditation and its committee, comprising of a cross section of Dunn School members, meets termly with responsibility for an action plan.
Find out more:
