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The University of Southampton
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Finding help and support

If something about your study or working environment is making you unhappy, then we have a range of support services and people that you can speak to. These vary a little for students, staff and visitors to the University, so are set out under those heading below.

Through the Report+Support website, you can report incidents you've experienced or witnessed securely and confidentially. Reports can be made anonymously, or if you would like additional support and advice, you can include your details for an advisor to contact you.

The University will not take action on individual anonymous reports, but anonymous reports will support the University to know what types of sexual misconduct, harassment, bullying and hate crimes may be occurring on campus and will help influence how we address the broader issues that these reports may show.

You can find out more information on how the reports are handled on the FAQs.

If you do not want to use the Report+Support site for any reason, then the following support options are also available.

Last update: 27 February 2023 [AM]

  1. In the first instance, you should speak to your personal tutor or supervisor. If you feel unable to speak to them about your concern, then you can speak to the Senior Tutor or the Head of the Graduate School for your School/Faculty. Check your Student Handbook for details of how to find these people.
  2. Speak to the Student Hub. They are here to support you with a wealth of issues, including wellbeing.
  3. You can always contact the Students' Union for support, too. The SUSU Advice Centre supports students with a range of personal and study related concerns.
  1. In the first instance, you should speak to your line manager, supervisor or principal investigaor (PI). If you feel unable to speak to them about your concern, then you can speak to the their manager or the Head of School, Dean or Head of Professional Service. You can see your management chain on the University's Org Chart (internal only).
  2. We offer a network of voluntary Harassment Contacts, who provide a confidential listening service to victims and those accused of bullying or harassment. They can signpost support and accompany you through formal processes, if needed.
  3. Contact AskHR for support with HR related queries, including policy queries and raising a formal grievance or complaint.
  4. You can always contact your trade union for support, too. Human Resources has a list of trades unions that the University recognises on campus, although any trade union can support you if you are being bullied or harassed.
  1. In the first instance, you should speak to the member of staff who is hosting you. If you work for a contractor, then you should speak to your line manager or supervisor. If you feel unable to speak to them about your concern, then you can speak to the relevant Head of School, Dean or Head of Professional Service.
  2. We offer a network of voluntary Harassment Contacts, who provide a confidential listening service to victims and those accused of bullying or harassment. They can signpost support and accompany you through formal processes, if needed. If you are unsure who you should speak to, then speak to a Harassment Contact; they can confidentially enquire about the correct route for your concern.
  3. You can always contact your trade union for support, too. Gov.uk maintains a list of trade unions.

The University has a committed team of volunteer Harassment Contacts. They are trained to provide confidential support to students and staff who feel bullied or harassed. They also support those who have been accused of harassment.

If you feel that you are being bullied or harassed and you need to share your experience in confidence, the Harassment Contacts are available to talk to. They can offer a sympathetic ear and try to understand how you feel, and can help you in assessing your options to address the problem. This equally applies to those accused of harassment, who may feel isolated or confused by the accusation, and need assistance in understanding the processes that may be undertaken.

Speaking to a Harassment Contact

If you would like to speak to a Harassment Contact, please use Report+Support or use the list below to reach a Contact directly. We have contacts from a range of Schools and Professional Serivces, from different personal and professional backgrounds.

Speaking to a Harassment Contact

If you would like to speak to a Harassment Contact, you are encouraged to contact them directly. We have contacts from a range of Faculties, Schools and Professional Serivces, who are all trained to support staff, students and visitors no matter where they are based. Explore the sections below, organised by where they are based for your convenience - just click on a contact's name to email them. Each contact has provided some background information about themselves to help you identify someone you feel most comfortable speaking to.

Faculties and schools

Mary Smith

Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences (National Oceanography Centre)

Mary has been a harassment contact volunteer for several years, currently based at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton working in the Graduate Student Office. As part of her job role, Mary has many years of experience in supporting students and advising them of available services at the University.

Helen Flynn

Faculty of Medicine (Southampton General Hospital)

Helen has worked with postgraduate research students for a number of years supporting both supervisors and students with many different issues.

Tammy Thomas

Southampton Clinical Trial Units (Aldermoor Health Centre)

Tammy is a primary care trials manager, working across two campuses: Aldermoor Health Centre and the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit (SGH). She has worked at the UoS since 2000 and has also been a student in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences.

Tammy has experience as a welfare advisor and is currently a Southampton City Councillor and community activist.

Doxi Misatziou

School of Physics and Astronomy (Highfield)

I am currently a 4th year PhD student in the department of Physics and Astronomy. Throughout my academic studies, I have engaged with a variety of activities involving outreach and science communication. Having witnessed and experienced some of the difficulties that one can encounter in academia, I decided to join the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion committee at the department of Physics and Astronomy last year.

Denis Nicole

School of Electronics and Computer Science (Highfield)

I teach Cyber Security in the School of Electronics and Computer Science, working at the university on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; I have been employed here since 1984. My other job is with a local engineering company. I have extensive experience as a trade union caseworker and health and safety advisor in addition to my harassment contact training.

Lance Draper

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (Highfield)

I have worked in a variety of IT roles at the University and am currently working as Research Systems Manager in the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering. My role involves frequent negotiations with stakeholders across the Faculty and Professional Services which gives me an excellent insight into people’s demands and expectation.

Kath Leblanc

School of Physics and Astronomy (Highfield)

I am a teaching lab technician in Physics and Astronomy. Prior to this I managed a small cleanroom in Physics. I joined the University in 2015. I have had a varied career working mainly in industry and I know what it can be like to be a minority in a male dominated sector. I like to think I am a good listener and a practical person which should help me be a harrassment contact.

Jessica-Leanne Crow

School of Chemistry (Highfield)

I work as a teaching lab technician in the chemistry department but I also studied here as an undergrad. I have worked in a number of labs where I have led various teams and dealt with conflicts within them. Being a woman in a STEM field gives me an insight in to some of the difficulties people can experience in the workplace.

Professional Services

Donna Haynes

International Office (Highfield)

Donna works in the International Office as a Regional Director responsible for a team covering South, South East and Central Asia, Russia, CIS, EU and UKI.  Donna is a qualified coach and has extensive experience of supporting International and UK students and staff with a variety of issues both in the UK and abroad.

Alex Melhuish

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (Human resources, Highfield)

Alex has been a member of the University's Diversity Team since October 2010, and supported LGBT students prior to this as a member of SUSU. He has chaired the University's LGBT Staff Network, and works with staff and students across the University on issues relating to gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, disability, race and faith.

Lesley Taunton

Communications and Marketing (Highfield)

Lesley Taunton works in the Communications and Marketing department in Internal Communications. She has worked in the business and charity sector and for television and radio in the UK and abroad. Lesley works on Highfield Campus in Building 37 but visits faculties as part of her role. Lesley has severe hearing loss and has experience of coping with disability in the workplace.   

Becki Nash

UK Student Recruitment and Outreach (Highfield)

Becki has been a member of the University since 2008, as a student and a member of staff. She has held both teaching roles, and a position providing information, advice and guidance for existing students and graduates, as part of the Careers and Employability Service. She is now a member of the Learn with US Transition Team providing support to prospective undergraduates undertaking academic projects in Further Education.

Jason Langdon

Student Life (Halls of Residence)

Jason works as a Student Life Supervisor in the Student Services department. The Student Life team is a 24/7 wellbeing support service for students which has led to Jason gaining experience in a range of wellbeing-related situations.

Juliet Hasson

Doctoral College (Highfield)

Juliet works as the Digital Marketing Coordinator for the Doctoral College within SAA. She has previously worked in the charity sector and another higher education institution.

Georgia Chalmers

Student Visas Team (Highfield)

Georgia works for the Visas team doing administration and has been a member of the University both as a student and then a member of staff since 2014.

Julian Vaughan-Spickers

Health, Safety and Risk (Highfield)

Julian works in the Health, Safety and Risk team and entered the university sector after spending 21 years in the chemical industry. During his working life he has fulfilled a variety of roles which have involved advising/sign-posting staff and students on a range of issues including mental health concerns, performance, conflict and bullying, or has simply acting as a listening ear. He has received training in emotional intelligence awareness and understands its importance in the workplace.

Fern Francis

Student Services (Highfield)

I have been at the University since 2013, as a student and then as a member of staff. I am a Student Wellbeing and Outreach Advisor within the 24/7 Wellbeing Team at Student Services. I am routinely available throughout the night as part of that role and can offer flexible support alongside my job role. My role primarily involves providing advice, guidance, sign-posting and support to students with a range of wellbeing concerns. I have experience supporting individuals who may be experiencing a range of difficulties and am passionate about promoting equality and inclusion.

Onoop Dayal

Student Services (Highfield)

I am a Student Wellbeing and Outreach Advisor within the 24/7 Wellbeing Team at Student Services. In my role I provide students support and guidance with wellbeing and University related concerns. I have been at the University since 2012 and have helped many students and staff in crisis situations. I have gained a lot of experience especially working in University Halls and main campus.

Reporting

If you have not used Report+Support, then Harassment Contacts are required to submit a report to the Employee Relations team when they are contacted by someone. This report is completely anonymous and confidential, and is only used for the monitoring of the Harassment Contacts scheme. These reports will not be seen by anyone else, and will never be used as evidence or otherwise should formal procedures be undertaken.

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