XClose

Centre for Behaviour Change

Home
Menu

Applying behaviour change science to prevent sexual misconduct

 

In 2019 the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team in the Office of the Vice Provost at UCL commissioned the UCL Centre for Behaviour Change to support them to use behaviour change science to develop an institutional response to prevention of a range of problematic behaviours such as bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. The report 'Preventing Sexual Misconduct at UCL: Recommendations from a Behavioural Systems Mapping Investigation' describes the methods and findings of a whole of system approach to understanding the issue of staff to student sexual misconduct within higher education. More information about the project is included in the video clips below. 


Interview: Why we commissioned a behavioural study of staff-student sexual misconduct at UCL

Vicki Baars talks about the background and context to the research report from the UCL Centre for Behaviour Change, 'Preventing sexual misconduct at UCL: Recommendations from a Behavioural Systems Mapping Investigation'

Watch interview here


Interview: How we define sexual misconduct and its impact on students   

UCL defines sexual misconduct broadly in terms of a continuum of behaviours from very serious sexual assaults to 'everydayisms' that are relatively minor but can still have a significant impact.

Watch interview here


Interview: We need to take a proactive, systemic approach to preventing sexual misconduct at UCL

Vicky Baars talks about the need for a whole-system approach not just for tackling sexual misconduct but also preventing its occurrence.

Watch interview here


Interview: Next steps for UCL in preventing staff-student sexual misconduct

Vicki Baars talks about the recommendations made by the report 'Preventing sexual misconduct at UCL' and how these will be taken forward.

Watch interview here


Interview: Transparency about the outcomes of sexual misconduct investigations will build trust in UCL

Vicki Baars talks about ongoing work to improve the way we communicate with the reporting party concerning the outcome of reports of sexual misconduct. Greater transparency will build trust in UCL and its systems and processes.

Watch interview here


Interview: How can Behavioural Systems Mapping help us understand staff-student sexual misconduct?

Dr Paul Chadwick explains how he used Behavioural Systems Mapping to understand the complex relationships and chains of causation that influence staff-student misconduct at UCL.

Watch interview here


Interview: How understanding people, power and process can help us prevent sexual misconduct at UCL

Dr Paul Chadwick explains how a behavioural systems approach to understanding sexual misconduct at UCL helps us identify problems and locate solutions within the structures and processes of our institution.

Watch interview here


Interview: Power imbalances create the conditions for staff-student sexual misconduct to happen  

Dr Paul Chadwick talks about the power imbalances between students and supervisors, and how this creates the setting conditions for the potential abuse of power.

Watch interview here


Interview: Hierarchies limit opportunities for upward feedback about problematic behaviours

Dr Paul Chadwick talks about the hierarchical nature of academic systems, and how they present limited opportunities for students to provide upward feedback about sexual misconduct or problematic behaviours they may be experiencing.

Watch interview here


Interview: Semi-judicious process for minor sexual misconduct is burdensome for all parties

Dr Paul Chadwick talks about the problems associated with our existing process for dealing with reports of sexual misconduct, which is experienced as burdensome and costly to those he interviewed.

Watch interview here


Interview: Restorative justice as a model for resolving reports of minor sexual misconduct

Dr Paul Chadwick talks about the restorative justice model as a potential route for resolving incidents of minor sexual misconduct between students and supervisors.

Watch interview here


Interview: Taking action to equalise power in the student-supervisor relationship

Dr Paul Chadwick talks about actions we can take to equalise the power imbalance that exists between students and their supervisors, creating a safer environment for all parties where sexual misconduct is less likely to occur.

Watch interview here


Interview: We need to re-engineer the system to make it easier for people to do the right thing

Dr Paul Chadwick talks about the need to equip our leaders and managers with the skills, resources and support that will empower them to do the right thing in response to reports of sexual misconduct.

Watch interview here


Interview: The human cost of a high-performance culture

Dr Paul Chadwick talks about the impact of a high-performance academic culture that prioritises academic and financial success over student and staff wellbeing, and the influence this has on sexual misconduct in the institution and how it is reported and investigated.

Watch interview here