Bullying is characterised as “offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means that undermine, humiliate, denigrate, or injure the recipient.”

The Equality Act 2010 defines harassment as "unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characterisic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the individual."

The nine protected characteristics, as specified within the Equality Act 2010, are:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion and belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

It is unlawful to discriminate against anyone on the basis of these characteristics. It is important to remember that bullying, harassment and discrimination cannot be reduced to a prescriptive list, but can take many and multiple forms. If any member of the University believes that they, or a colleague, are being treated unfairly in any way, it is always worth reporting this.

For information on bullying, harassment and power dynamics within academia, please see the following resources and articles:

• How to blow the whistle on an academic bully by Virginia Gerwin, Nature 2021
• The Parity Movement organisation
• Bullying and Harassment in Academia by Lucy Bowes, Associate Professor Oxford University (YouTube video)
• Power abuse in academia and its impact on academic mental health by Scrintal (YouTube video)
• UKRI Preventing Bullying and Harassment

RH Be Heard is a safe and secure way for you to report issues in one place, through one simple online form. 

You can also email the wellbeing team by emailing wellbeing@royalholloway.ac.uk 

You can fill in a named form and a colleague from the wellbeing team will be in touch with you to further discuss the situation. 

Reporting through RH Be Heard means that your question or complaint will be directed to the right team, first time.

Incidents of Bullying and Harassment can affect mental health and wellbeing and there is support available to you.

To discuss any concerns about harassment please contact any of the following:

• Student Wellbeing
• SU Vice President (Welfare & Diversity)
• Students' Union Advice Centre
• Your Supervisor, PGR Lead in your department or Director of PGR Education for your School

The student counselling service and other sections of Mental Health & Wellbeing Support can also advise on external agencies that will offer confidential advice and support.

If you have experienced bullying and/or harassment at Royal Holloway while you are a staff member, please refer to the Dignity at Work policy.