Our culture and values

UCL is committed to fostering a culture of trust and mutual accountability.

Our four value clusters are set out in our Strategic Plan  2022-2027, alongside our Vision and Mission. They shape the ways in which we exercise our academic freedom and nurture our global community. They are:

• Integrity and mutual accountability
• Openness and inclusion
• Care and respect
• Rigour and innovation

Living our values

Academic freedom, and freedom of speech   

As set out in its Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech (PDF), UCL is committed to upholding academic freedom of enquiry in its teaching and research and to ensuring that free and open discussion can take place in an atmosphere of tolerance.  This means maximising the autonomy of the researcher and teacher to determine, to pursue, and to promote their own intellectual agenda, and to do so free of unwarranted institutional or external  interference. 

UCL promotes academic freedom and freedom of speech in a number of ways, including through its Disagreeing Well programme.

Our people-led culture

UCL staff

Professional Services colleagues are supported to thrive at UCL by the UCL Ways of Working, a behavioural framework that sets expectations around how we work. 

All staff are required to complete mandatory training  related to our values, including:

• Change possible: sustainable UCL
• Disclosing and managing conflicts of interest at UCL
• Prevent at UCL  (counter-terrorism)
• Introduction to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion  

UCL is committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse and equitable environment for all, working, studying and interacting with UCL. This work is led by the Chief People Officer - a member of our President & Provost's senior team - and the Pro-Provost Equity & Inclusion. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion are promoted by a strategy and associated action plans delivered by our EDI team, overseen by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (chaired by the Pro-Provost Equity and Inclusion) on behalf of the University Management Committee.  Find out more about EDI at UCL.

Our student community

UCL works in close partnership with Students’ Union UCL, an independent charity that exists for the advancement of education of students at UCL for the public benefit. The Students’ Union aims to help students develop skills, belong at UCL, improve their wellbeing, enjoy university and London life, and be agents of positive change. 

The Students’ Union’s core values are Community Building, Empowering, Inclusive, Democratic, Bold, Sustainable and Fun. Find out more about Students’ Union UCL.

Our values-led approach to regulation and policy

Our policy portfolio reflects our values and is overseen by the Office of the General Counsel ,  which ensures compliance with UCL’s legal obligations, such as the regular update of our Anti-corruption and Bribery Policy.

Related policies

Please see below for some of the more prominent policies and procedures relating specifically to our academic activity, as well as policies relating to finance, procurement, sustainability, and staff.