This includes, among other things, contributing to preventive efforts, monitoring and intervening immediately when directly observing inappropriate behavior, or reporting if made aware of such behavior.
This is particularly relevant for employees who have direct contact with students, such as
- course coordinators
- programme coordinators
- lecturers
- supervisors
- department heads
- administrative staff
Prevent
Course coordinators/lecturers are in a unique position to contribute to the preventive work against bullying. Below are recommendations based on Professor Ingrid Lund's research report on bullying in higher education, as well as other research in the field:
Course coordinators/lecturers:
- Make clear what constitutes unacceptable behavior in their daily work with students.
- Are mindful of how they behave when faced with challenges and strive to be a good role model in all communication with students.
- Focus on facilitating and actively contributing to creating an inclusive learning environment, as both academic and social competence go hand in hand and are part of the organisation’s development strategy.
- Keep discussions at a factual level and do not tolerate personal attacks or ridicule.
- Serve as a role model in how to communicate, argue, agree or disagree in a respectful manner.
- Regularly address the psychosocial work environment and include bullying as a topic. They emphasise creating a good and safe feedback culture in addition to formal evaluations.
- Seek assistance if they need advice, information, guidance or help when bullying arises.
- Focus on being in dialogue with their students, especially when challenging situations arise. They do not shy away from, trivialise or intellectualise relational challenges when they occur.
Watch and intervene
Everyone working at the university has a duty to monitor what is happening and intervene if they witness violations such as bullying, harassment or what may be unwanted sexual attention. This obligation applies to all individuals with an employment contract with the university, regardless of whether the employment is full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary, short-term or long-term.
Intervene immediately if you suspect harmful behaviour
If you, as an employee, overhear hate speech or observe more indirect violations such as exclusion, isolation and gossiping, you should intervene immediately and stop the situation. This may involve, for example, students speaking disparagingly or ridiculing other students during class, or repeatedly observing exclusionary situations in your group lessons.
Not all critical statements and disagreements are violations.
At any university, freedom of expression is an important value, and being allowed to express critical opinions naturally follows from this. What constitutes a violation should be interpreted broadly, and not all critical statements or disagreements should be seen as violations. Thinking critically and respecting others' opinions and beliefs is an important part of being a student. However, it must be expected that critical statements are made with courtesy and respect.
Investigation
If, as an employee, you are made aware that a student is being bullied or harassed, you should immediately investigate whether anyone has addressed the matter.
In serious cases, the manager responsible for HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) must be notified. Managers with HSE responsibility have received training on how such cases should be handled.
Employees with direct contact with students are expected to do more.
Regarding the duty to follow up, more is expected of individuals who have direct contact with students (such as course or programme coordinators, lecturers, supervisors) than of those with other types of responsibilities at the university.
Report
Everyone working at the university must report if they see or suspect that a student or colleague is being subjected to bullying or harassment. The Speak up pages clearly indicate who you should report to.
Employees who bully
If an employee is accused of bullying, discrimination or harassment of a student,there are clear requirements that the matter be investigated promptly and thoroughly.