Group Support and Policies

This page summarises the resources available to staff, postdocs and students, and the different policies in place regarding harassment and bullying.

Creating a positive and inclusive work environment is a responsibility shared by all, and therefore all group members should educate themselves. Please do not ask or expect the survivors of harassment to do it for you. There is a large body of professional literature on harassment in the workplace, with this review recommended as a possible starting point.

Policies

• The Department of Physics has endorsed the UCLU zero tolerance pledge for sexual harassment, making it official departmental policy.
• The Dignity at UCL policies apply to all staff members (including postdocs) and students; it covers all aspects of bullying, intimidation and harassment.

See also the group's actions taken to prevent sexual harassment.

Reaching out

If you are experiencing any difficulties, you are strongly encouraged to discuss them. There are multiple routes to support including staff specifically trained to listen in confidence.

All staff members, including postdocs, have a responsibility under the Dignity at UCL guidelines to challenge unacceptable behaviours (whether on or off UCL premises) and support the targets of such behaviour.

In addition to these options for support, there are many routes to reporting any form of bullying or harassment. Group members can choose whichever route they feel most comfortable with.

• Students can seek advice from the Student Union for advice and support.
• Staff members can seek advice from one of the Dignity Advisors.
• All group members can also contact the Departmental Equal Opportunities Liaison Officer, Lori Coletti Campbell.
• Anyone can make a formal complaint directly to the Head of Department, to the UCL Registrar (students) or to the UCL Director of Human Resources (staff)

Procedures

Should anyone decide to place a formal complaint (we stress again that this will only happen at the explicit request of someone coming forward), procedures will take place as prescribed by UCL Human Resources if the complaint is made against a staff member (including postdocs), or by the Academic Manual (in the case of complaints against students).

Conferences

Group members are encouraged to request that conferences they are contributing to as invited speakers or SOC members put in place a code of conduct that spells out clear guidelines and the consequences for not following them (examples from Bash Symposium and STFC Summer School).