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Bartlett School of Architecture responds to racism and sexism allegations

The Bartlett School of Architecture (Image: UCL)

The Bartlett School of Architecture has responded to allegations of sexism and racism after a former student shared testimonials from 21 people with the national press.

Former student Eleni Kyriacou provided the Guardian with a dossier of testimony, alleging “systemic” problems at the Bartlett, which is the academic centre for the study of the built environment at University College London (UCL).

The testimony alleges incidents of inappropriate comments about appearance and race going back a decade.

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Responding to the allegations, professor Sasha Roseneil, UCL Pro-Provost (Equity & Inclusion), said: “We have been aware of issues in The Bartlett School of Architecture and have been working hard to address them for some time. We are deeply concerned to learn about these incidents, and we will investigate them, and any others that are brought to our attention.

“We want to understand the wider and deeper issues raised by these reports, and so we will conduct a review into culture and behaviours in the School, as well as looking at the historical data.

“We are all too aware that sexist and racist behaviour takes place at UCL, and we are committed to tackling inequalities and to ensuring that our university is an environment in which students and staff can thrive in their diversity.

“UCL has an online reporting tool for students and staff to report unacceptable behaviour - ‘Report + Support’, which includes the ability to report anonymously. We encourage students and staff to use this to raise any issues or concerns, as well as our formal complaints procedures.

“Our institution-wide campaign ‘Full Stop’ has also focused on how all members of the UCL community can play an active role in shaping a welcoming and inclusive environment for students and staff. Key to the campaign is the message that we do not excuse poor behaviour or minimise the experiences of those affected by sexual misconduct, harassment and bullying.

“We regularly review policies and procedures to ensure that they are fair, transparent for all parties involved and follow best practice in the UK and globally. We are currently undertaking a comprehensive review of our reporting processes and our responses to all forms of harassment, abuse and sexual misconduct.

“The university regularly assesses equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) data for all departments to ensure that any issues are identified and effective action is taken to address them.

“The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment itself is engaged in a programme of action that focuses on gender and race equality, such as the Commitment to Change manifesto, which articulates a future built environment education that highlights the roles gender and race play, faculty diversity action plans, teaching materials and research workshops.”

UCL also listed the progress it at made at the Bartlett over recent years.

Progress in The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment. It said representation of women in senior academic positions had increased by 7% in 2019 as compared to 2016, while nearly half of those in head of department leadership roles were women, and four out of five vice deans are women.

It said that in 2020, in The Bartlett School of Architecture, 40.5% of women gained a first class undergraduate degree compared with 39.5% of men.

The university is also running a campaign called ‘Full Stop’, which focuses on how all members of the UCL community can play a role in shaping a “welcoming and inclusive environment” for students and staff. Key to the campaign is the message that poor behaviour will no longer be excused or minimised.

Meanwhile, the use of non-disclosure agreements in settlement agreements with staff or students who have raised complaints of sexual misconduct, bullying or harassment has been banned.